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October 17, 2006
Shop Early, Shop Often

It had been a long time since I bought any STR. I was seeing some new colors out there and I was feeling left out. So I called Tina and Kaci and said this is how many skeins I want - send me your new favorites. This is what they sent me:

| 1. Gunmetal Grey 2. Henpecked 3. Chicabiddy 4. Cock-eyed 5. Dreidel 6. Love-In-Idleness 7. Jail House Rock 8. Puck's Mischief | 9. Sunstone 10. Rhode Island Red 11. Downpour 12. Purple Rain 13. Heart Throb 14. In the Navy 15. Blue Brick Wall 16. Rocktober |
That knitting malaise I was feeling? It's suddenly gone! Imagine that! Needless to say, I will not be buying any STR at Rhinebeck, so please don't blame me if it sells out quickly. I was smart, and shopped from home. ;-) Also, for all the newbies going to the festival this year, Blue Moon does not have a booth at Rhinebeck - Toni Neil from The Fold has exclusive Rhinebeck rights to STR. Good luck! I'm not sure I'm going to buy anything at Rhinebeck (famous last words.) I was going to buy a WooLee Winder too, but they aren't going to be at the festival, so I ordered that online too. I'm sure I'll find something.
Back to my fabulous yarn and how inspired I am. The other day Ann said to me - look at these socks! - and my heart skipped a beat! OH MY LORD! Those are some of the most beautiful socks I've ever seen. I tried the Pomatomus sock with some STR and didn't like how it worked out - to be honest - I love the texture of the pattern but I really don't think it does variegated yarns justice. But this! Semi-solid STR! PERFECTION! I quickly scanned my stash for something that would work - and I settled on Sunstone (the golden orange in the picture above - lower right corner.) I'm totally ripping off Elliphantom. I was hoping to have some sock to show you, but I literally had to cast on like six times. Don't ask. Maybe tomorrow - I can't wait to get into the pattern part. Fantastic!
Posted by Cara at October 17, 2006 12:30 AM
Topics: Stash
Comments
that's quite an impressive haul! it would take me about 10 years to knit through all that sock yarn.
Posted by: jacqueline at October 17, 2006 12:42 AM
Okay, this has got to be the best STR haul I've ever seen. I'd love to have the mailman drop that off at my house. (Rub a lamp, Nikki.) There are a couple must-haves in there that I think I may have to scrounge up the moolah for.
Aren't Elliphantom's socks awesome? The pattern never spoke to me until I saw THAT pair. Wow.
Posted by: nikki the blogless at October 17, 2006 01:15 AM
I'm lovin' Rhode Island Red. Thanks for the fun peak at your fabulous new haul -- it's sock time!
Posted by: nona at October 17, 2006 01:17 AM
Wow! What a haul!
I think finished pics of Pomatomuses should be banned - all they do is make knitters buy more yarn!
Posted by: Kate at October 17, 2006 02:02 AM
Oooh, such lovely STR. I especially like the, ummm, the sixteen colorways you've purchased. Pomatomus is wonderful, and will be quite excellent in Sun Drops.
Posted by: Sarah at October 17, 2006 04:54 AM
I'm jealous like you have no idea ><
Posted by: Mags at October 17, 2006 05:16 AM
I love In the Navy!! I will try be be at the meetup Saturday. Hope I can find some STR :)
Posted by: Cindy D at October 17, 2006 06:37 AM
Beautiful STR. Hopefully I'll be able snag some at Rhinebeck before they sell out!
Posted by: Kelly at October 17, 2006 06:40 AM
I love them all but Rhode Island Red is my favorite. No surprise there, I suppose.
Posted by: Carole at October 17, 2006 06:46 AM
I am a collector of STR. I haven't knit anything with it yet. I think I only have about 5 skeins but I can't bring myself to wind it up and kit it. I just love how it looks hanging on the wall.
Please add me to the meet up lit at Rhinebeck too. I know I'm late and I feel like I'm running around like a chicken with no head. See you there.
Posted by: Beth at October 17, 2006 06:47 AM
I did NOT need to see all those gorgeous new STR colors. Sigh . . .
I have STR envy.
Posted by: Wendy at October 17, 2006 06:55 AM
YOU had to cast on 6 times!? My 1st reaction is welcome to MY world, but really...glad to see your happy thoughts are back!
Posted by: Carol at October 17, 2006 07:24 AM
DAYUM.
That is all.
Posted by: scout at October 17, 2006 07:49 AM
Oooh, aaaah....good thing I'm not going to your house.
Posted by: margene at October 17, 2006 08:03 AM
Wow! SIXTEEN skeins of STR!?! Did you leave any for the rest of us? :)
The Pomatomus socks will be gorgeous in that colorway.
Posted by: Kirsten at October 17, 2006 08:16 AM
I touched STR on Sunday for the first time and now I must find some. I neeeeeeed it!
Posted by: Jenn at October 17, 2006 08:20 AM
gorgeous colors cara! let me know how you do the pomotamus on two circs. i've been meaning to give it a shot!
Posted by: gleek at October 17, 2006 08:20 AM
I'm sorry what? I wasn't paying attention after those pictures.
oh, socks. yeah cool yarn, I mean they'll be cool socks :)
Posted by: yahaira at October 17, 2006 08:33 AM
Oh, dear. Rhode.Island.Red. *sigh*
Posted by: susan at October 17, 2006 08:52 AM
Oooo, Sundrops is my very favorite out of all of those. How do they make even the hardest colors to work with look so beautiful? Lovely collection, Cara. You should carry pictures of it in your wallet. I know I would!
Posted by: kristin at October 17, 2006 08:55 AM
holy crap! nothing like some retail therapy to pull someone from a knitterly slump .... when i went to mds&w, the str sold out before i even knew it was there. i imagine it will do that again, and i will never (whimper whimper) get to see it in all its glory and pick out a colorway in person! whaaaa !
i am quite jealous, needless to say. i know that's not very becoming, but, it's true.
Posted by: gray la gran at October 17, 2006 08:59 AM
Now thats a lot of STR! I'm still holding on that BMFA will come up with some Sugar Magnolia, Scarlet Begonias or even better, some Dark Star to go with my Fire On The Mountain ;)
Posted by: Carla at October 17, 2006 09:15 AM
My vote is for #1, 6, and 14. That sock is very cool and I agree, a more solid color would show off the pattern better. Oh..do you think STR will be at Stitches? I hope so! Your blog looks beautiful, as always! Have a great day, Cara!
Posted by: Donna at October 17, 2006 09:29 AM
whew. that's almost too much to take in. have fun!
Posted by: regina at October 17, 2006 09:30 AM
Do you think "Rocktober" is the sock club colorway for October? Wow, I'm so envious of that stash. I was just thinking about some Sock Candy or Seduction but I always get distracted by the regular STR. I have so much already and I SO DON"T NEED MORE. You make this very difficult....
Posted by: Michele in Maine at October 17, 2006 10:08 AM
yow! gorgeous haul there! can't wait to see your pomatomi started! :)
Posted by: jess at October 17, 2006 10:11 AM
I've been in a knitting funk, too...half-heartedly finishing some of the less inspiring projects laying around and longing for something new and exciting. Last night I found the inspiration I'd been hoping for in Nancy Bush's books...gorgeous SOCKS! And now I'm even more inspired by your STR yarn...Oh how I long for a mountain of luscious new yarn! Thanks for letting me gaze upon yours--until I can get my hands on some of my own ;-)
Posted by: Hannah @ Knit*Six at October 17, 2006 10:25 AM
Wow, I can't stop looking at all that yarn! This might be a dumb question, but how do you see pictures of all the new colorways before ordering? Do you order direct from BMFA?
Thanks for the yummy yarn pics!
Posted by: Kelly at October 17, 2006 10:31 AM
That is quite an impressive haul. Did you leave any for the rest of us? LOL
I'm really liking the Dreidel, In the Navy, and Purple Rain. I just might have to get me some :-)
Posted by: Karen at October 17, 2006 10:35 AM
WOW. The Fold will be my second stop, right after Grafton Fibers. I will be armed with pointed sticks. You have all been warned.
(And if it's sold out by the time I get there, I will blame you, Cara. That's the most flagrant display of yarn pron I've ever seen.)
Posted by: Lucia at October 17, 2006 10:42 AM
holy str, batman! can i be you just for a day or maybe even an hour just to stare at the stash you got in person??? doh, i just had to wipe my keyboard off from the drool i'm emitting...
Posted by: margaux at October 17, 2006 11:20 AM
That's quite the haul you got there...did you sell the car to buy all that? :) I know I'd have to, but it'd be totally worth all the warm socks. I love Rhode Island Red the best.
Posted by: Adam at October 17, 2006 11:53 AM
I considered an attempt to rival your STR collection, but I now realize my folly! I am in love with Henpecked and the whole fowl inspired series.
And hurray for Elliphantom and inspiring people to knit those P-socks! Her photography is fabulous.
Posted by: Cookie at October 17, 2006 12:13 PM
I just got my first skein of STR yesterday. Scottish Highlands. It's the most softest wonderful yarn ever! I'm so jealous of your stash. I would just want to lay down and roll around in that big pile of goodness!
Posted by: Nell at October 17, 2006 12:25 PM
Oh, I am developing a brand new love affair with those nearly solids...
I might have to buy some. ; )
Posted by: Vicki at October 17, 2006 12:28 PM
I love the Dreidel and Heartthrob colorways, but all are fantastic. So jealous! Also could you add me on for the blogger meet-up. I must be living under a rock, but just found out about it from Vicki.
Posted by: Christina at October 17, 2006 12:41 PM
Oooo! I love Sun Drops. :) I'm going to Rhinebeck, but on the Sunday, so I'm guessing I won't get to see any of the socks that rock. I've heard they sell out pretty fast. Oh well... I'm supposed to be spending less these days anyway. ;)
Posted by: Andrea at October 17, 2006 01:03 PM
As my cousins and I say when something goes our way, Na NA! I have Rhinebeck funds set aside (because someone told me to do that so you don't drain your entire bank account) and there is now some money within those funds especially set aside for STR. Yay! Can't wait. :)
Posted by: Julie at October 17, 2006 01:05 PM
They have so many colorways! It's just crazy -- how can we be expected to keep up? Good for you for doing your part!!!
Posted by: Kristi at October 17, 2006 01:25 PM
I love Purple Rain. As I was looking at it I swear I heard Prince singing it (I think I may be running a fever though). Elli did a fab job on her socks! I got to see them in person at the YH signing in Ann Arbor, MI. I finished mine a couple of weeks ago, and I can completely relate to the casting on 6 times thing. It took me 3 or 4 times on the first sock before I got it right. I finally used a life line and that helped while I figured out the pattern.
Good luck!
Posted by: Dana at October 17, 2006 01:32 PM
Well, hmmm. That's some gorgeous sock yarn you have there. Can you believe I've never knit with, or even seen, a skein of STR. I guess I'm going to have to look into getting myself some. I love Elli's p-socks - they're great in the semi-solid.
Posted by: Stephanie at October 17, 2006 01:57 PM
OH MY.....I think I'm in sock heaven. I have no STR in my measley sock yarn stash. I might have to let fingers do some clicking over at their site. Enjoy rolling around in....er knitting all those skeins.
Posted by: Tasha at October 17, 2006 02:06 PM
Very nice stash additions there -- I am sitting on a tropical island and am still envious. I love the orangey-gold colors that have been added to STR lately. I have some Sunspot (a semi solid) at home (I think that is the name) that is waiting for the right new idea to jump out of my head.
I agree, however, that STR semi-solids would be perfect for the Potomatous socks!
Posted by: Theresa at October 17, 2006 02:53 PM
That's an impressive haul! Okay, how do you wind up with colorways that both Blue Moon and The Fold don't even show on their websites? Inquiring minds want to know :-).
Posted by: Manise at October 17, 2006 04:32 PM
I have a skein of Blue Brick Wall. I dare someone to try and get it from me.
Posted by: Stephanie at October 17, 2006 05:03 PM
i am consumed with yarn lust. so beautiful!
Posted by: laura at October 17, 2006 05:34 PM
CRUELEST. POST. EVER.
:::DROOL:::DROOL:::DROOL:::
completely envious. gets to knittin' up some awesome socks. :o)
Posted by: megan philistine at October 17, 2006 05:53 PM
Those socks really ARE ALL THAT! Huzzah! to you for casting on -- I've had the pattern on my wishlist for quite a while now.
Posted by: amanda at October 17, 2006 06:32 PM
I just finished my first Pomatomus in the STR Ruby Slippers. It's a semi-solid colourway too, and it looks FANTASTIC. I've never had so many compliments on a sock before.
It's a Christmas present, so I'm trying to be sneaky with it, but I'll try to post a picture of it. Your Pomatomi will be gorgeous in that colour. And the pattern is great once you sort of get into the swing of it. Have fun!
Posted by: SarahJanet at October 17, 2006 06:48 PM
Well, I just clicked the link for the first time and I almost had heart failure. They are certainly beautiful, but I don't know if I could ever pay $19 for one skein of yarn. That means almost $40 for a pair of socks and that's 1/3 of my grocery budget.
I'm sure it's the most heavenly feeling on earth and the colors are luscious, but I didn't ever think that sock yarn would be so costly. It's almost like I didn't realize this was an expensive country club instead of a little local gathering of friends.
Sticker shock is not a pretty feeling.
Posted by: inky at October 17, 2006 07:54 PM
Gorgeous colors - drool, drool...
(Inky, that's one skein for a pair of socks - so you don't have to starve to have beautiful socks on your feet)
Posted by: Kathy in San Jose at October 17, 2006 10:52 PM
Ok - someone distract her and we can make off with the box!
Posted by: Nancy at October 17, 2006 11:07 PM
Good Morning Cara!
You've enticed me to order some STR : ) Which of course I "need", and couldn't possibly hold off on until Stitches!
I noticed they have different weights. Do you get the lightweight?
Thanks! Donna
Posted by: Donna at October 18, 2006 09:01 AM
So.cruel.
Posted by: Jan at October 18, 2006 10:07 AM
::covering eyes::
La la la not reading, not reading!
Too late! I want every single color of STR there is, even though I won't live long enough to knit up what sock yarn I have. But then, who lives to be over 150 years old?? ;)
Posted by: Laura at October 18, 2006 10:24 AM
You are one very lucky lady! I do have a question to ask you, though. I have some confusion about where to order the STR. Do I request a certain color from Blue Moon and they pass it on to The Fold, or can I go directly to The Fold? How do you do it? Yeah, I know, that's two questions.
Posted by: Leslie at October 18, 2006 11:07 AM
Fantastic. Do you like the lightweight or the middle weight for socks?
Posted by: Kathy at October 18, 2006 11:11 AM
Wow, thats some good stash shopping, they all look amazing, I am not jealous at all....... Looking forward to seeing your pomatathingy socks.
Posted by: yvette at October 18, 2006 02:47 PM
Wow, that's just amazing! I'm so fucking jealous of your wonderful yarn haul! I just recently discovered the joy that is STR sock yarn. Joy of joys.
Posted by: femiknitter at October 18, 2006 07:44 PM
Wow! What a drool-worthy haul of sock yarn! I am completely jealous and now here I am perusing the internets for STR sellers. I'm sure you'll do awesome things with all of them.
Posted by: Glenna at October 19, 2006 09:29 AM
Yeah, that would pretty much fix my knitting malaise, too! Hope Rhinebeck was awesome!
Posted by: Theresa at October 23, 2006 12:05 AM
Hey there. I just wanted to thank you for 1. helping my friend Annie with her blogger bingo at Rhinebeck and for signing my get well card. I hope to see you soon to give you a hug. I'll be looking for you!
Posted by: Christine at November 1, 2006 01:22 AM