I've bought a lot of yarn lately. I've got even more in my Ravelry queue - 52. I have some yarn arriving soon. And I have made promises to myself and to my daughter.
I am way over my head in projects I need or want to finish or start. So I thought I'd make a list in the order of importance.

1. Mimosa shawl from Big Girl Knits - I have 26 days
2. Hat war hat(s) - starts on 9th February
3. Elefante nr 1 to be finished in 26 days (nearly done)
4. Ecquinox pullover - needs to be sewn up and some ends still are not darned.
5. Write down a pattern that has been waiting for awhile
6. I promised a new pullover/cardigan for my daughter already last year
7. I frogged my Artistic - I need to plan better, change the motif a little and start over.
8. Salina for me
9. Wall ornaments using Estonian traditional mitten patterns and 1.5 mm needles
10. Design from Rowan Tapestry
11. Design something elegant and sexy from BBB Meriseta
12. I have material for at least 4 lace shawls - I want to knit at least 2 shawls this year, one will be Mystery Shawl 4. Lace yarns I already have are: Kaalund Echante', TitanWool Merinos Extra, Canetta Super Zephyr, Handpaintedyarns.com Merino Lace. And I have some Jaggerspun Zephyr 2/18 arriving.
13. Finish a baby blankie from random stitch patterns - it doesn't have recipent, so there is a lot of time with it.

I'm pretty sure, I've forgotten something...

MORE YARN!!!

I'm losing it. I just bought more yarn - Sublime Merino, Silk, Cashemere DK


I need nr. 8 seed beads to go with it. And I have about 27 days to finish a huge shawl, with hundreds of small beads, block it, pack it and send it off to Italy for a dear friend of mine. Wish me luck.

Stash enhance

I have projects for next 6 months chosen, but I couldn't help myself to buy more yarn. This time from a fellow knitter here in Singapore.

I got 6 skeins of Jaeger Silky Tweed (alpaca and merino) and...

4 skeins of Kaalund Yarns Enchante' (100% hand-dyed silk).

So 7 months of projects. And I have ordered half a cone of Jaggerspun Zephyr.

And I have to buy some cobweb for a shawl. 

I think I am set until my next trip to Europe... and beyond...

New purchases for 2008

My stash, even though still high on kilos is low on material to work with. Sounds funny, when I say that I have about 12 kg of yarn, but quite understandable, if you look at the content - it's all odds and ends and odd balls I've bought thinking I will try freeform crochet soon (yeah right, but I still can have that dream can't I?)

I must say that buying yarn from Estonia is real fun! Mainly because the prices ARE much lower than in Europe, even though the brands and yarns might be exactly the same or at least same quality.

Like any Virgo, I must make lists, so here is my list of Holiday purchases:


Two 260 gram hanks of Artistic by Aade Lõng (it looks very similar to Kauni Effektgarn), but I am not convinced fully, I would have to compare. I have serious feeling that it is the same.

8 balls of BBB filati Meriseta. It has 70% wool and 30% silk, and I have a felling it will turn into something really beautiful. It's price - low for a silkblend.

6 balls of Rowan Tapestry. Like the feeling of the yarn, have an idea, something to do with the Noro I ordered from Japan....

Two hanks of Titan Wool Merinos Extra for a lace shawl in mind. And yes, it is more convenient to buy Italian yarns from Estonia, rather than from Italy.

Three hanks of Estonian 100% wool by Elotroi (name: Liisu) which is excellent to knit traditional socks and mitts from Estonia.

To achieve the patterns of handknit mitts of Estonia one needs correct tools: I bought new double pointed needles, for which it seems US folks even don't have numbers - 1,5 mm and 1,25 mm needles. The lowest if I'm not mistaken is US 00 which is equivalent for 1,75 mm needles?

As an addition to my serious yarn addiction I also bought knitting books:

A vintage knitting pattern collection from 1950ies: Claire Hallik "Silmuskudumine" and it's newer colored version from the 70ies.

And something I suggest even if you don't read Estonian, but can read colored charts (that's 100% of you):

Photo from:
http://www.rahvaraamat.ee/?id=63&no=R069511#

Eesti Kindakirjad (Estonian Mitten Patterns) by Elo Lutsepp and Irina Tammis. Since I am the proud owner of Aino Praakli's booklets of Patterned mittens (Eesti kirikindad I and II) I can fully recommend this book as an addition to the other books. There are none (or very few) overlapping patterns as I've conculded so far. The book is entirely in Estonian, with a short introduction to knitting mittens and gloves, but an experienced or even advanced mitt-knitter should find no problems by the lack of language knowledge, all patterns are colorfully charted so that the knitter can decide on its own how she or he wants the mitten.

As an addition I bought a book: Vatt, Troi, Vamsa - Knitted Jackets from West-Estonian Islands by Riina Tomberg, it's a bilingual book (estonian-english), but doesn't have any patterns, it is a research based reading for people interested in this type of subjects illustrated with many photos.

WIPs

I've been moving my hands a lot lately.
As well as trying to finish Equinox Yoke Pullover from Interweave Knits Fall 2006, Which should become something like this:
And instead is like this (I strated it right after Christmas, but got caught up by other projects and now picked it up, for in the light of possible translocation I need to get UFOs finished and as mucha s yarn possible used up):
And the true colors:
It now has been waiting for that free evening of weave-the-million ends-sew-up-garment-motivation. I think you see my problem.
Plus I am afraid to sew it up and re-block for it is obviously too short now, and maybe it won't "stretch" :(

I also have once again fallen into the Norah Gaughan entrapment skills and followed by the glorious arrival of the book called "Knitting Nature" which made me dig out my Debbie Bliss Cathay and start knitting franctically hoping to finish it before Ponte...
instead it made a blister on my finger and made me realize that this is yet-another-to-cry-about-Gaughan-sans-néné-design. Does anyone have an idea how to make the floppy "ears" below armpits go away. Blocking doesn't help. I have hope in placing straps differently or maybe.... I just have to rip.

In the mean time, for I was saddened by my 2-in-a-row instantunsuccessfulnesses I started yet another project: Forecast from Knitty.
About which I blabbed a little here
And would like to emphasize at this point the importance of local markets, specially when they carry better yarns than local yarn shops do. And cheaper prices, for the yarn is produced in small farms and sold exclusevely on local markets, you just have to find the right stall.
In these occasions you are truly reminded that largely the best and most beautiful yarns from Europe are made in Italy.

And while celebrating the long weekend il Ponte (28th April - 1st May) in Pescara I found a yarn shop and bought, guess what, of course, yarn. This time the shiny and soft and elegant Filatura di Crosa Millefini Fine 100% cotton:Aren't the colors just great?
It is turning into another Clapotis, one of my favourtie patterns:

Flash Your Stash: Yarn Pr0n

Update: My camera self-repaired this night and now functions again, therefore some missing pictures are added. I told you it does it.
So, I'm a little late, the real prongorayhp (had to mix up the letters) as we all know was done last year on April 1st, but back then I didn't have much to flash. I've been a busy little bee though and bought a lot this year. And I cannot wait until 1st of April to see whether it will be organized again.

Winter yarns

Estonian yarn - some colored by myself, some are mixed with dog hair, most are very old (at least 10 years) and my Estonian Stocking :). Subtotal: 2860 grams

Southern American 100% merino handspun, handdyed yarn perfect for felting, with amazing colors. Subtotal: 400 gr.
Finnish yarns from Novita. I had an idea to make a sweater for my daughter, she didn't like the colors so they are waiting for someone :) next winter maybe. I got some babies coming around in the next few months. Novita Neliraita (100% wool) and Novita Bambino (100% wool). Subtotal: 380 gr

Vintage yarn. Schaffhauser Wolle Laine de Schaffhouse "Allround" (100% merino) light blue (which I've used quite a lot in mitts and socks) and yellow (that I use to try out new patterns). Subtotal: 280 grams.

Some nice stripy baby-yarn for a tiny summerish sweater for Mari's funky baby! Mari do you like it? I'm gonna knit it soon! GRM Filati Super Baby (100% virgin wool). Subtotal: 150 grams.

GRM Filati Norvegia. 100% wool again. It's actual color is dark egplant color, and it's gonna be a hat probably. Cabled probably. I don't know yet, it was on sale. Subtotal: 150 grams (one skein is missing from my stash! Edit 14.03.2007: Found it!)

Mohair. Vintage. Jaeger Softy Mohair (70% mohair, 30% acrylic). 115 gr. Jaeger Fine Mohair (70% mohair, 30% wool). 265 gr. Subtotal: 380 gr.

Lace yarn. I got this bagful for some 10€ a year and half ago from Canetta store. Super Zephir - it's an amazing cobweb weight yarn, 100% virgin wool, merino I guess. And I haven't seen it anymore. I have 315 grams. (And I've knit with it 2 lace shawls)
I have some odds and ends of Baruffa Merino's Otto, BBB Full and Lane Borgosesia Via Veneto, which have already turned into 2 scarfs and one hat for two young ladies and the last hat is waiting to be finished. But I'm not in hurry, for winter is already far :) Subtotal: 200 gr. Oh and in the corner of that bag are some woollen embroidery yarns. 45 grams.

(I hope Typesetter or Sirkus will sponsor me this Saturady with one picture of my... Edit: my camera self-repaired) Titan wool Winner (100% Merinos) many skeins and half done yoke-pullover which I currently own 700 grams.

And I also bought few weeks ago amazingly soft and amazingly cheap 100% merino yarn from a yarn shop on my street... :| oops, yes I found one on my road... this is going to be my doom... I have 400 grams and it costs some €3 per 200 grams.

And last but not least of collection of nice woollish yarns: 15 skeins of Koigu KPM and KPPPM. Subtotal: 750 grams.

TOTAL for winter yarns: 7010 grams

Summer yarns
Sesia Tratto. 10 balls. 50% cotton, 50% viscose. I had an idea and a scheme and calculations. But I've misplaced them. Subtotal: 500 grams.

Katia Jamaica. Very very very nice 100% cotton. Love, love, love the colors. Subtotal: 400 grams.

13.03.2007: My camera just decided that he has had enough of the flashing and doesn't cooperate anymore. If it doesn't selfrepair (like it has done some 3-4 times before) and I cannot find photos of the yarns from my archives, you'll have to do without :( It's back!

I have 7 skeins of Cotone Cable 5 yarn I used in my first project from Mani di Fata. I bought some extra colors (light pink, white, apple green) and have used it for some unfinished crochet items. Subtotal: 260 grams

I also have some vintage cotton yarns I got from my mother-in-law. They are made for knitting, needles around 3-4 mm and that's all I know for the labels were long gone whan I got my hands on them. Subtotal about: 250 grams

I also have some Debbie Bliss Cathay. 260 grams plus I want to rip this, so I'll have more than half a chilo.

I have some bamboo yarn as well, Ornaghi filati Bamboo (really pink). I have mmm.... 6 skeins, that makes the subtotal: 300 grams. Why the hell did I buy it, I don't like the pink that much.

TOTAL for summer yarns: 1970 grams.

And that's it? Oh no, girls, we're not over yet. A hint: why do you think I called my blog Odds and Ends? Because I have a truckload of odd-end-yarns. Most from projects completed. But not all.
(Clicking on the photo will take you to the photo on Flickr with comments)
This is my collection of fancy yarns. To add in... or maybe one day, just one day I manage to push myself far enough to start freeform crocheting. Until then I collect them. So what do I have in this pile?
Alvita Frou Frou - 50 grams
OnLine Linie 171 Shari - 100 grams
Alize Florida - 100 grams
Alize London - 50 grams
G-B Wolle Punk - 50 grams
Alize Santana - 50 grams
Emmebi Cortina - 50 grams
Tropical Lane Princhellino - 50 grams
OnLine Linie 197 Zara - 50 grams
Silke Nebbia - 50 grams
G-B Wolle Gloria - 50 grams
Subtotal: 650 grams

And these are not so fancy yarns, mainly ribbon-cord-types. Again one day they'll be freeform.
Sesia Spice - 400 grams
2 skeins unknown cotton yarn - 100 grams
2 10 gram skeins of silvery cord, about 40 meters - 20 grams
Emmebi Ibisco - 300 grams
Sesia Merlino - 150 grams
G-B Wolle Mosaik - 100 grams
Subtotal: 1170 grams


And finally, all the bits and pieces of those fine skeins I've used for my projects. Many of these I have no idea what type of yarns they are, for some are from way back... 7-8 years. And those I have: 1540 grams

Then I have some 120 grams of Phildar Legende. Very nice yarn. And I just remembered I have not shown you the project with this yarn.

I've also got an unkown quality laceweight yarn I got ripping out a very nice 1960ies cardigan. And it will be a lace scarf one day. Until then you just have to be happy to know, I've got 150 grams of it :)

And the Total for odds and ends is: 3630 grams

Which makes the grand total 12 chilos and 610 grams.


Here is an entire list of all the yarns I have/have had (this is for my own records):

Alvita Frou Frou
OnLine Shari
Alize Florida
Alize London
G-B Wolle Punk
Alize Santana
Emmebi Cortina
Tropical Lane Princhellino
OnLine Zara
Silke Nebbia
G-B Wolle Gloria
Arvita Merino
Baruffa Merinos Otto
BBB Full
BBB Kid Mohair
Canetta Cotone Cable 5
Canetta Futura
Canetta Super Zephir
Cigno Nero Samos
Debbie Bliss baby Cashmerino
Debbie Bliss Cathay
Elotroi Liisu
Evilla wool
Filatura di Crosa Zara
GRM Filati Norvegia
GRM Filati Super Baby
Il Bottegone Pura Lana Vergine
Jaeger Baby Marino
Jaeger Fine Mohair
Jaeger Softy Mohair
Katia Jamaica
Katia Twist
Lane Borgosesia Via Veneto
Mondial Folk
Novita 7 Veljesta Jätiraita
Novita Aino
Novita Bambino
Novita Isoveli
Novita Nalle Colori
Onlinie Java
OnLinie Shari
Ornaghi Alicante
Ornaghi Bamboo
Ornaghi Real Baby
Phildar Legende
Schaffhauser Wolle Allround
Schoeller+Stahl Limbo Mexiko
Sesia Mistral
Sesia Spice
Emmebi Ibisco
Sesia Merlino
G-B Wolle Mosaik
Sesia Tratto
Silke Hobbit
Steinbach Wolle Capri Ombré
Strumpf und Sportwolle Match
Titan Wool Winner

The biggest surprise!

Men hate shopping. My one does as well. (Unless they are buying their gadgets.) Unfortunately for him and luckily for me, my one had a week in NY City, and one free day to go shopping. So I gave him a list and asked for 4 skeins of Koigu KPPPM (I looked up 7-8 colors, so that he'd surely find me some), prepared a list of shops to choose from and hoped that the stores have the yarn. Last midnight I got an SMS saying, "I got you the books and some yarn". I think it's not a surprise that I was very content, all experienced yarnholics are when holding Koigu in hand.
So this morning he arrived with a mysetrius bag which was way too heavy for one book and four skeins of Koigu, as I had requested. And a story: "So I went to this store where you said I can find the Koigu colors you wanted. I entered and gave the list to the shopkeeper, she said those yarns are all sold, gave me a ladder and showed me to the shelves. Did I men ion that I needed a ladder to reach them all. I hope you like the colors, cause I chose them myself." Hearing this I opened the bag striaght away, finding this:

15 SKEINS of Koigu KPM and KPPM (And the colors are quite right as well)
and these:

Maie Landra "Knits from Painter's Palette" and Nora Gaughan "Knititng Nature".
I am happy, happy, happy.
Now what shall I do with 15 skeins of Koigu? ;)

My First Dyed Yarns

They really managed to surprise me. See what I mean.

I dyed some yarn

I dyed some yarn with local colors that I managed to find from the city (that was an adventure).

Conclusions:

This was the first and last time... with these colors.

Nothing has changed in 20 years.

The colors are cool, but to get them it takes too much mess and scrubbing and boiling and mixing.

I will buy next colors from abroad and try again.

Estonian wool is really great! It gets softer as you boil it. Good pre-washing is essential - it not only gets softer and cleaner but it also goes nicely white.

The colors in this picture are too bright and strong, but I couldn't help it, my camera didn't take the red-orange tones well. Who notices that there are 2 oranges used? Exactly my point, even though I can't show them to you well, I am still very satisfied of the colors and will use these yarns in the near-future projects. BTW Violet really sucked, my sink still has lilac tonality to it.