Tres Chic Veronique

After many false starts with other projects (Habu's Chinese Top Pullover, the Flutter Sleeve cardi, Lush & Lacy, Olga's jacket--all shamefully semi-abandoned WIPs), there is finally one that caught my interest long enough to actually complete it.
Presenting...... Kate Gilbert's Camellia! (Deets on my Ravelry page).

One good thing about the lag between uploading my pictures on Flickr and an actual post on my blog? I already know what you're going to ask! In this case, let's cut to the chase: Swedish Sven clogs purchased at Refinery in Brooklyn. I believe that they design their own Sven clogs based on all the various elements that Sven offers: different heel heights, colors of wood, color of leather and shape of cutouts. The possibilities are endless! You can also make your own clogs from scratch here.

This neckline goes well with my Figs & Ginger necklace, don't you think?

I made 3 sleeves for this top: originally, I thought that the cap sleeve would look better on me than the flutter sleeves, but that was not the case. Flutter sleeves it is!


Final verdict? Overwhelmingly positive! The bamboo yarn was so soft and silky that I didn't mind its lack of elasticity. This top had just enough lace to keep me entertained but not too much so that it would become a chore. I'm just hoping that the bamboo won't stretch out too much...

And finally, I have to give a shout out to Caren, who I found through Ravelry. She very kindly sold me one ball of SWTC Bamboo yarn in the same dye lot, which I desperately needed.

Labels: Camellia, Kate Gilbert

I bought yarn. Oh yes I did.
I came prepared, as I had read Carrieoke's review of the Portland, Maine LYSs.

Let's break it down:
You know the stores that sell the good ol' yarn staples? Cascade 220, the whole Rowan collection, a smattering of sock yarn? These stores feel like home. Such was Knit Wit, in Portland Maine. There was even a sale on Kidsilk Aura, which the owner remarked had not been a great seller. I got 7 balls at 50% off! This is a heavier version of my much beloved Kidsilk haze, but with crummy yardage (82 yds a ball). I hope I can eke out a lacy sweater or bolero out of this.


Then, I went to Tess' Designer yarns (also in Portland). This yarn is somewhat hard to find in stores, and the colors are just so fantastically saturated! This is not the kind of store that sells notions (as Carrieoke noticed), nor the kind of stores where the employees know how to knit. In fact, the employee will be more interested in chatting with a friend than with you, one of two customers. But the yarn! Oh, the yarn is so lovely...
I got 2 skeins of laceweight merino in a buttery yellow.

And a skein of sock yarn in eye-searing magenta.


Finally, I stumbled upon a real Maine yarn store. I found it by following a sign on the side of the road that said, simply: "yarn". (Well, actually, I may have yelled out "YARN!!!" and forced my boyfriend to follow the sign). We drove up to a house, where several dogs and a duck enthusiastically greeted us. The owner showed us her sheep --yes, from which her yarn is made--:

then guided us to a garden shed -- aka the store:

She has some award-winning yarns:

It was only later, when I looked at my receipt, that I realized we had been in Woolwich, Maine. Fate!
After all of this yarn shopping, I could not justify stopping by Halcyon Yarn, in Bath, Maine or Seaport Yarns (in Portland and NYC)... This just means we'll have to go back :)

Labels: maine vacation

I ate lobster.


I ate lobster rolls.


I bought live lobsters.


I watched cats sniff lobster butts.


Stay tuned for part II: Maine yarn!

Labels: lobster, Maine