Les Clogs

I finished the knitting yesterday afternoon, went home, felted 'em up in the Sears Kenmore last night, and POOF! Les Clogs! I used 4 skeins of Brown Sheep "Lamb's Pride" worsted, a wool/mohair blend. That explains the bit of fuzziness on the surface of the clogs, which I knew would be there after felting, and which I rather like. If you don't prefer the extra fuzzles, use Malabrigo or Brown Sheep "Nature Spun" worsted instead. If you use Malabrigo, I suggest you babysit the machine while you're felting. Malabrigo takes an eternity of mananas to ship from South America to South Louisiana, but it only takes about 3 minutes to felt and shrink from Titanic size to Barbie Doll size, so check on what your clogs are doing every few minutes, unless you're making them for your Chihuahua. Mother's Day is not too far off, and these items are perfect gifts! Consider making a pair, or several pairs. If you would rather not make a pair yourself, but would like to have a pair or give them as gifts, remember, VBYC does quite affordable custom knitting!

The Magic Loop Discontinuity

It's really a clever geometry trick in manipulating planes -- the flat kind, not the Boeing kind. Saturday afternoon we started our Magic Loop socks, following the sample pattern in Morgan-Oaks' book 2-At-A-Time Socks. The book is really good, with fantastic pictures and good descriptions of each step. The key to using this technique, or at least learning it, is a true desire to use it. Truth be known, it's not one of the easiest, or most practical techniques in the tool kit, but it has to be one of the most interesting, at least from a mathematical standpoint. Starting out, you have what has to be described as a royal mess of cables and yarn, but as soon as you generate some fabric, the mess tends to clean up a bit. Necessary when performing the magic loop is to use a marker to indicate the beginning of the round, then at the edge of the sock, turn your work and use the loop on the opposite sock to pull your needles into position to knit the next side. You may have a natural tendency to turn and knit back the way you came instead of turning the corner to continue knitting on the outside of the sock. If you remain on the outside (where you should be), the geometry will work out. If you start knitting along the inside, you'll be deep sixed. If you really, really, and I mean really feel a divine vocation to the Magic Loop, you'll love it. It just takes a bit to get used to, and patience to learn your knitting orientation. Am I convinced? Well, I think it's clever and fascinating, but I also think it's clever that you can make a wine glass sing by wetting the lip and running your finger around it. That doesn't make me want to forgo the organ to play Mozart on a glass harmonica. Waiter, I'll take another glass of Chateau Neuf and a set of double points, thankyou....

Hey Folks! It's Festival International weekend in Lafayette! As you know, this is one of the grooviest and most excellent festivals on the planet. And what's more, the event is completely free to the public! Amazing! However, in order to keep it free, the public are encouraged to purchase a very nifty pin to help support the event. Love your festival and buy a pin! I'm wearing mine this weekend! And you should too! Come in to the shop on the way to Festival, and if you're wearing your Festival pin, you get 10% off your purchase!

Cascade Sierra, the Cotton Work Horse

It's a versatile yarn, this Sierra, made of 80% cotton and 20% wool. That wool content makes Sierra fantastically soft and tames the cottony cotton feel of the yarn. Plus, it's machine washable. Perfect for baby things, perfect for adult things, and even perfect for utilitarian things, like dish rags, wash cloths, and even summer scarves. In a pinch, you can also use it to tie up brown paper packages or to tie open the screen door when you're moving the sofa out onto the front porch. Sierra is one of our favorite things. It's a fiber work horse. For a view of Sierra at large, go see "Social Security" at Abbey Players (in Abbeville, Louisiana -- click on the Gefilte Fish photo for ticket info). I'm wearing a diamond intarsia vest made of 4 colors of Sierra in Act II of the play. I can tell you this: on stage, with all the lights, it's usually about 2000 degrees fahrenheit, but I am never uncomfortable in that vest. Spiffy bright spring and summer colors are in the bins now at VBYC!

Namaste

They're here.

Just saying.

Bamboo...bamboo...

South West Trading Bamboo! 250 yards of tremendously fabulous bamboo yarn in one ball. There are several colors available for your spring/summer projects! My favorite is this one....it's called Parrot. And you can say it after me: "Parrot". Take a look at those colors! The blues and greens match the exotic bird exactly! And if you don't believe me, here's a picture of the bird! Compare. Groovy. What's even sweeter is that this colorway is just as good for men's garments as it is for women's and children's items. Festive, clever, bright, and cheerful -- just like the knitter or crocheter who works with it! SWTC Bamboo.

Terrific Terra. It's GREEN, regardless what color you pick....

Terra means "earth". Natural fibers from South West Trading. This is a delightfully beaming, friendly, and cool spring fiber blend of Bamboo and Cotton. Eco-conscious and economical, this yarn from SWTC is a must for your fiber projects this season and the next! Create a wonderful look in a shell or tank with one of the patterns from this spring's Burda Verena, or make a fantastic warm weather accent scarf from Vogue Knitting, either for yourself or someone special!

Pure Wool Aran: the King of the Wools.

There's wool, and there's wool, but then, there's Rowan Pure Wool Aran. In 36 years of knitting, I've worked with some wool, many miles of it. Different kinds from many places. Of all the wool yarns I've ever worked with, Rowan Pure Wool is King. Hands down. There's just something about its super soft feel and amazing glide as it enters the fabric -- yep, I said "soft". Stitch definition? It defines definition. You'll be amazed at the plush and luxurious fabric that spills down off your needles after several rows of worry-free knitting. Forget the spa! Take those cucumbers off your eyes! Retire the white terry cloth robe! No need for the hot rocks on your back, the scented oils, the Zen, the ting-a-ling meditation chimes, or the smoldering sage bundle. Working even one project with Rowan Pure Wool transcends a whole month of spa days! Treat yourself like royalty and make yourself something special with Rowan Pure Wool. It also comes in DK weght. If you're wondering what it looks like in a finished garment, I'm just now finishing up the "On The Go" vest, one of the many fabu patterns found in XRX's fine book Guy Knits. Stop in and see for yourself! I'll be straightforward with you: The Rowan Pure Wool is priced a bit higher than many other wool yarns, but with other 100% wools, you just can't come close to the outstanding finished look and the feel of Pure Wool by Rowan.

What's this coffee?

It sure is good! Thanks to our VBYC friends abroad, we've been treated to a some South American treats. Latest on the coffee hit parade is what we're brewing at the moment: Pilao coffee from Brazil. Nifty. And it's tasty too, with a bold flavor without being bitter. Next time you're in, enjoy a cup of Pilao.

This is a groovy little book

So you bought 12 skeins and used 11, or 10. Not enough to make a second of whatever you had bought the yarn for in the first place. Or, you bought a yarn that looked fabu on the shelf, but isn't quite enough to make anything you have a pattern for.... Here's your solution: 101 One Skein Wonders. It's packed with lovely little projects that require a lovely and small supply of yarn. Perfect for quick gift projects or little things to do between larger projects to pamper yourself, and use up those Lone Ranger hanks and skeins! Come in and pick up your copy!

SOUTH WEST TRADING TRUNK SHOW!

The date was confirmed today, folks. On Tuesday, May 4 at 6pm The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company will host a fabulous trunk show of new designs and yarns from South West Trading! We'll be modeling 30-35 terrific looks for men and women. Not only is the trunk show the perfect opportunity to see what all's new from SWTC, you will be able to order yarns and patterns for the designs you'll see (if those yarns and patterns aren't already in stock). Sarah, our friendly SWTC rep will be on hand that night to give you details about the yarns and garments . If you would like to be one of the "runway models" for the show, please do let me know! What better way to familiarize yourself with some of these amazing garments than to wear a few of them yourself! Pass along the word about the SWTC trunk show at VBYC scheduled for Tuesday, May 4 at 6pm! We'll see you there!

We got notions, we got Agnes...who could ask for anything more?

Have you been searching for that special project bag that fits everything as well as a large scale project (like an afghan), that's both practical and looks good? This is it: the Agnes by Della Q. Loads of interior pockets, great look, and a heavy duty zipper! It's a mobile fiberwork unit! Brittany fans will be happy to see more of what you like: those terrific birch knitting needs that click so nicely. Markers, counters, and tip protectors. All manner of notions. And don't forget about the new Schaefer Laurel! They're all here at VBYC!

Schaefer Laurel!

Just in today from Schaefer: Fabulous colors in Laurel. It's Spring, and that means time to knit and crochet in cotton! If you have not yet worked in Schaefer Laurel, it's a real treat! Hurry on in and choose your favorites for your next project. Laurel is a worsted weight cotton yarn that does well on needle sizes 4-9. Size 4?? Yes. I've used Laurel on size 4's with fantastic results and no distortion!

Welcome, Ethel!

As all of you read in The Vermilion Bay Light, Ethel Sellers has joined us here at VBYC on a regular basis. She is a fantastic knitter and crocheter and an expert bead artisan! Be sure to stop in an introduce yourself, if you haven't already! We'll see you soon!

The Vermilion Bay Light

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