Two for the price of one

Can you believe it - two posts in one day! I was so excited to find a package of yarn on the doorstep today. I just had to share!

As you probably don't recall, earlier in the year I received two beefy skeins from Handpaintedyarn.com, sent to me by my (then) Secret Pal. I ended up knitting a small rug, slightly felted, that sits at my bedside. Well, it did when I used to have a home. Anyhow, I should really get around to taking a pic of it because it's really cute.

I've always meant to place an order from this place, which does all hand dyed yarn in an amazing assortment of colors, at even more amazing prices. I finally got around to it, and I just love what I got! Definitely worth the 2.5 week wait (it came from Uruguay).


Top: Ejido 160 in Robles, Handspun Bulky in Triple Azul; Bottom: Merino Wool Bulky in Cooper, Ejido 160 in Picnic, Colonia 140 in Cinnabar
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These will likely become scarves - yes, more freakin' scarves - or other small projects. I purposely ordered onesies so that I can get a feel for the different yarns and how true their colors are, since I've never ordered from them before. After my little "taste test", if I like it enough, I'll see about ordering enough to make a great rustic looking winter sweater. Okay, gotta go squish my fingers into these skeins!!

Why doesn't it look like the one in the book?

I know there have been some discussions, particularly on the Knitter's Review forums, about substitute yarn for Ene's Scarf. I did the research myself before starting on this. Now, since I didn't use the original yarn, and given my limited knowledge of how specific fibers bloom over time, I don't know if this thing will eventually lay flat and look a little more... how do you say... polished?

It seems to look puffy, and the stitches look wrinkly. I'm hoping that a dunk in some water will even out the stitches, and a light press will smooth out the puffiness. As you can see in the second pic, I'm having to hold down the edge stitches because they're curling.


Ene's Scarf is chuggin' along!
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closeup of Ene's
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Aside from my feverish knitting, I have been spending time trying to "get to know Portland". I still can't believe I live here. I keep thinking this is just a visit to the in-law's that keeps going...and going...and going...

Well, at least we are under contract on a house. So, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We're supposed to move Thanksgiving week, which seems like an eternity, so I'm not terribly excited just yet. Once things get closer, I'll start to feel like it's more real.

Since we don't know anyone (our age) here in Portland, I've been having a hard time finding those little hidden gems that I know exist here. We don't live in the "cool" parts of town, so I've turned to lurking around other Portland bloggers to see where they hang out. Not to stalk them, but just to hear about cool places, yarn stores and otherwise.

I think that once we settle into our own house, and get our lives in normal working order, I'll try to get out to the yarn stores and try to meet people. So totally not what I would normally do, so we'll have to see if it ever happens. Hey, I'm from the Bay Area - we're just not that social.