Jimmy Beans Wool

Jimmy Beans Wool
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow

While on vacation, I found the Jimmy Beans Wool store!  We made it to the shop without difficulty and discovered they have in amazing amount of Lorna's Laces!  So much in fact, that I found it difficult not to throw all the yarn into a pile and roll around in it. Jeanne was a pleasure to see while there.

Sock Clubs

Are you a member of a sock club?
I am.
Which one(s)?
I'm a member of two of them, Rockin' Sock Club and Red Bird Knits SOTM. I like them both for different reasons.
What do you like about your sock clubs?
I like Socks That Rock yarn. It feels great and the colors are wonderful. I have yet to knit one of the patterns from the club, but they look good. And the comments on the club blog certainly are exciting (and varied). My, who would have thought that toe-up socks would cause so much controversy.
Red Bird creates a special pattern using mass produced yarns by great companys. Last month was Jitterbug yarn from Colinette. Robyn who creates the the is great. She sends out an email to members about the new club, responds quickly to emails, and sometimes gives a chance to "suggest" specific colors that I might like. This got me thinking...
Do you like to have a choice about yarns and patterns?
Yes. I wonder if you do and why.
Do you always knit the socks with the pattern you get? Why?
No, sometimes the color would work for a different pattern.
What do you wish there was available in a sock club?
I'm still pondering this one. Dream big and share with me.
If you had your way, what would you keep the same about the sock clubs you are in?
I like the monthly payment option of Red Bird. The single fee can be a bit daunting.
What would you change?
*still thinking*
Thoughts about clubs?
It's all about the yarn for me. I want delicious yarns before everyone else. and I want enough yarn to make socks that fit me and are tall. And the pattern needs to be engaging but not mind boggling. And no pattern errors!
What is it all about for you?

I'm interested in your answers. These are some thoughts that keep me up at night. Strange isn't it, but I like to take an idea to it's logical end sometimes. Help me get some sleep and post your answers in the comments or email me at knittingbrow(AT)gmail (d0T)com. Once I get 25 answers, I'll post the compiled answers. I am hopeful that it won't take too long to get 25 answers. *grin* Share as needed.

I think there are about 6 people who read my blog. I haven't figured out which blog traffic software to add to my blogger to track this. Any suggestions? The instructions need to be easy! Maybe we can meet for coffee and you can help me do it and I can buy you a coffee.

MS&W 2007 Yarn purchases!

Dzined hemp and wool sport weight yarn that will be make into socks. That's the top one. knitSB and I each bought a skein to do a sock knit-a-long.

Middle brown and teal yarn is from Autumn House Farm. Stideaway Shetland in the color Moor Stalker is 100% Merino. It is beautiful. Don and I each bought a skein. (the colors on their website don't do it justice) I think they will make lovely socks, don't you?

Bottom yarn is from Just Our Yarn in Travelor and is 75% superwash merino and 25% nylon. Great color and knitSB and I each bought a skein.




I did make it to the "Fold" for the Blue Moon experience. Of course, I had to go back and see what was left after the feeding frenzy. I'm glad I did. Left to right in the Heavyweight Merino Socks that rock are "Jade," "Rose Quartz," and "Hoofle Foofle." I like the feel of this yarn and the weight. I thing they will knit up nicely for my own socks that rock socks.






knitSB and I both got a skein of Smoky Topaz in the medium weight. I think this could be another knit-a-long for us. Isn't this nice? The couple that knits socks together, stays together. *grin*

And I picked up a pattern from the "fold" as well. I'll post some pictures of this Mystic Sea sock when I get it started and finished.


That was all the yarn I purchased. I got KnitBeth a bottom whirl drop spindle. I wanted to find some great lace weight yarn but didn't find any that just made me to want to knit lace immediately. I also didn't find any fiber that was better than what I can find at home from Cider Moon.


Additional updates on the last month next!

Monsoon S0cks that R0ck

That's right! I got my first shipment of StR. This is my first year joining. I got a binder, pattern, planning sheet and a nice note from creators. That's 5.5 oz. or 380 yards of superwash merino wool.

The colorway is called Monsoon and has nice green and grays. See? The pattern is called "inside out" and is a toe up sock pattern. I'm concerned that I won't have enough yarn to complete a pair of these cabled socks but have confidence that I can turn the heel and then start the other sock and then knit from both sides of the skein. Of course, I could do this from the beginning and then not worry about it, right?

I'll just need to read the pattern closely before I begin.