another yarn tale ...

As I write this I am sitting in our office - usually the coolest place in the house, with a wheat pack draped around my neck that I have just taken out of the freezer to try and help cool me down! We are having a heat wave - well it sure feels like it to me! And the temperatures in New Zealand right now are fluctuating, granted - but some places have hit record highs and apparently it is going to last for a wee bit longer! I know, I'm a wuss! It only has to get to 26 degrees C and I start to melt! Not much knitting is getting done at the moment, because even with the fan directly on me in the evenings I am not finding all that much relief - my fingers seem to get hot and sweaty just contemplating the activity!

I have taken to doing a bit of cross stitch over the last couple of evenings instead, and find that is actually quite doable! I am so thankful for that, since I usually don't like to be without something in my hands - especially when it is too hot to do anything else - like ... move! . Seriously, it's like that for me right now! I am managing to do some things - but anything that requires too much movement is off limits, haha! I started stitching a Scandi Santa Decoration a couple of nights ago. It was a free kit included with the 2017 Christmas Edition of Cross Stitcher Magazine, and which I happened to purchase recently, thinking I could actually really enjoy working some Christmas themed pieces. It's been ages since I cross stitched, but I am really enjoying it! The picture is what I hope it will look like once finished! I have a way to go yet! To see my progress thus far, check out my instagram feed.

... Moving on ...

Today I would like to point you in the direction of a very talented, multi crafting indie dyer in the UK, who trades on Etsy under the name, Just One Skein.

As I was browsing Etsy late last year, in order to see if there was any more yarn that stood out to me, I happened upon a real beauty that I really did try to ignore! True story! However, you know how it is! Because one can bookmark, save in a cart, go back later to recheck, etc etc, I guess it was inevitable that yes - I did succumb!

I really love colour, and yarns that stand out for me are not only colours I happen to be particularly fond of, but also those with pleasant connotations. In other words, yarns that remind me of other things that appeal. I shared another one in an earlier post, elaborating on the Christmas Tree Skein I purchased from Mothy and the Squid.

When I discovered this skein, named Ice Cream Sundae, I could immediately see an Ice Cream Sundae - with Sprinkles! Absolutely! Tongue in cheek, I wonder if there will ever be a chocolate dipped version?! This is gorgeous though, and the colours are definitely my colours. Double bonus!

Composed of 85% Superwash Merino (machine washable) and 15% Multi-coloured Donegal Nep, this 100 gram skein (aka hank in NZ) is classed as a 4ply/fingering/sock yarn and has an approximate length of 400 metres. Although the yarn is labeled Superwash Merino, the care instructions are: Hand Wash Separately and Do Not Tumble Dry. Upon checking the current listing I see that this is to make sure there is no residual dye lingering. I love this yarn, regardless - and I will keep the label once it is designed into something special, so I know how to care for it, and keep it special!

It feels lovely and I am sure it will be a dream to knit. Mine is still in the hank stage. I have yet to rewind it into a ball - and that will give me a better idea of how it will knit up. Jackie points out ... 'The colour changes are short, so will not create stripes unless your rows are very short.'

Jackie has an interesting Etsy Store, with other listings besides the beautiful yarns she sells, and is one of the most friendly traders I have come across. She included a lovely little place marker in my package, which was very carefully wrapped and very neatly addressed. A short note on her business card and a well prepared invoice were also included in the package. If you are interested in finding out more about Jackie and Just One Skein, you can also find her on facebook and instagram. You'll be glad you did!

See you again next week!