spoils!

Ok, so I didn’t exactly buy the yarn for the 16 cable hat at KnitNation as I had planned. I was really set on it being Rowan Kid Classic and since I couldn’t find it, I decided it could wait until my next visit to a Rowan-carrying store. But I was good, in the sense that I only bought yarn with a specific pattern in mind, and I plan to keep being good, by starting all the four projects for which I bought yarn as soon as possible. Are you curious? :) Here we go…

I’ve wanted an earflap hat for myself ever since they first became popular, about five years ago… But first I didn’t want to follow the trend too much, then I couldn’t find one that would be special enough, then I started knitting and decided I’d make myself one sooner or later. Recently, the perfect pattern appeared, and when I saw this wonderful undyed alpaca, I knew it would be just perfect! Neutral enough to go with anything (my winter coat is quite colourful!), yet interesting enough to be special.

After that was safely in the bag, I stumbled upon the Brownberry Yarns stall, which definitely ended up being my favourite – they just had so much stuff I liked (yarn and goodies), and they were super-friendly and outgoing in a relaxed sort of way. I had brought along the Liesl pattern (which I bought a while ago and then never started), just in case the perfect yarn appeared in front of me. Well, it so happened that Brownberry had a sample of Liesl knit up, in the same yarn Ysolda had used for her prototype, and the yarn sitting right there next to the sample. They even had a little leaflet telling you how many skeins you’d need for each size! I mean, really, how could I fight all that? (By the way, the color is green. But for some reason it is refusing to be photographed properly. I tried. Really hard. Sorry. If you’re interested, look at the photo on the pattern website. That’s the one.)

It didn’t end there. They had another sample – Scroll Lace Scarf in Manos del Uruguay. Now, I own this pattern because I have Ysolda’s WLK 2 collection, but honestly I was never terribly intrigued by it. As for Manos, I love the look of their skeins, but I’m never a big fan of how yarn with that many colours in it looks when it’s knit up. But my friends, these two together, there was just something so special about it! I couldn’t resist. Brownberry’s definitely found the perfect marketing strategy, as far as I’m concerned at least. Knit up a pretty sample, and put the yarn used for it right next to it. They also included a note with needle size used on the sample – that little detail that is the final drop in your decision to buy the yarn immediately! :)

And then there was this. I set my eyes on it, and it didn’t take me long. The colourway is called Sea Foam. What more do you need? It’s going to become this. I’ve even done a little swatching on it already, and I think you’ll be seeing progress shots very soon!

Finally, I decided I needed some goodies too. Especially after I saw the needle rolls and project bags sewed by The Bothered Owl. I can’t tell you how much time I spent looking through all the designs and gorgeous (and quirky!) fabrics! Sarah, who sews all this herself, was super-sweet, she encouraged me to take my time and I spent a good part of an hour browsing and chit-chatting to her and other people around the stall. About fabrics, knitting, geekiness, spending all our money on crafting supplies… And I did end up finding the perfect project bag. The whole experience was definitely one of my most favourite parts of KnitNation. I wish Sarah all the best in growing her business and I hope she keeps enjoying it! Can you tell how much I love my project bag?

So, all in all, I splurged. I had checked my bank account before leaving home and realized my salary had just arrived. So I thought it was ok to treat myself… And I’ve got two more words for you: no regrets. :) After the initial confusion, I left KnitNation exhausted, but with a warm fuzzy feeling in my tummy and lots of warm fuzzy things in my bag. :)