Thursday, June 21, 2007

Yarns amid the Ferns…

Katsara Yarns amid my woodland ferns

Do you realize that most of the topics occupying virtual space in the 2000+ knitting-related blogs out there focus on yarn (not world peace, poverty or  politics) and far too often include cats? I believe there's some kind of connection between knitters and cats that has yet to be studied. Maybe, in some far distance time, scientists will confirm that knitters are akin to felines and may form furballs in their craniums... but that's another story. So, knowing as I do that we yarn lovers are united in our obsessions, I simply had to share my order from Katsara.

Sneak Preview for fall: Into the Woods Capelet

Katsara specializes in luxury handpainted yarns (please note the existence of three of my favorite words in the same phrase: luxury+ handpainted+yarns) and I just had to become acquainted with the offerings so immediately ordered five sample kits in five of their unique colorways. You won't be surprised to see my beloved greens and browns hanging out among my ferns in the photo above but, in my defence and in case Connie's reading this, I did order vanilla pinks, lilacs and, um, more greens and browns. The important thing is the yarns are glorious and represent 5 fibers dyed in the same color cauldron creating that subtle mix of color and texture I so love. I'm considering these for kits for my fall designs brewing. For more on Katsara, click here (but don't forget to return to me afterwards. You know I have more things to share) http://www.katsarayarns.com/colorways.php

Yes, I have been designing amid all my plotting and planning. I've just been so terribly busy being retired. Unbelievably busy. Of course, I should learn to be more strategic and just say 'no' when an opportunity (to travel, to collaborate, to participate in galleries, shows, do workshops or create more trips, prepare for magazine articles ) presents itself but I'm very, very bad at no's. Yeses sound so much better—all those sizzling s's making satisfying shusshing sounds on the tongue. 'No' is so...dull, like an ending, a punctuation point at the back of a sentence. A book end. Who can blame me for avoiding such conversation stoppers? Book ends have their place but not if it slows down momentum. So what if I hyperventillate? I'm excited all the time (and a little breathless).

Yes of course you're wondering when I'll get back to the Knitalong (soon) and asking where the hydrangea yarn kimono went (on the needles but Twisted Sister no longer makes that color) and if I'm working on any designs (as you can see, I am). Plus my new book, plus preparing for workshops (Santa Fe in July, Knit a Beach and Have a Yarn in August). You'll be glad to know I'm not bored. Speaking of which, the kits: check out the new one coming out this weekend for the Painter's Vest, the Tilli Tomas silk vest shown on the cover of the Knitaly book. In the mean time, I leave you with an image of the Pralines & Cream wrap keeping Hannah warm on a chilly May day in my yard:

From the entry 'Wild, Mysterious Australia'. Jane, it's lovely to hear my everyday world described through the eyes of a newcomer....it makes me look at things afresh. Looking forward to meeting you in Sydney shortly.

By Christine Jones on 2008 12 28