There’s something special about yarn before it becomes a knitted object, or before it has really even become a work in progress. Don’t you think? In its skeined form, the yarn is pristine, fresh from the spinner or the dyer, and has not yet been turned into a usable, workable ball. It is squishable, and smells fluffy, fresh and, well, yarny.
At this stage, it could become pretty much whatever I want it to be. Well, maybe not my personal ironing service, or chocolate, but apart from that, pretty much whatever I want.
Even if the yarn in question comes as a kit, with a cute pattern, it doesn’t mean that the yarn has to become the kit item. The gorgeous stuff in the photo is Lucia Sock yarn from Posh Yarn. It came as a kit for a sweet pair of Winter Cottage Mittens (Ravelry link) which I am tempted to make. But I have been hankering after making a pair of Eunny Jang’s Anemoi Mittens for some time now, so maybe this yarn will turn into some of those…
Still, no need to decide just yet. I’ve got to get the damned dreadful dreary delightful Christmas knitting finished first!
ooooh those anemoi mittens are cute! I know what you mean about christmas knitting. Just two more weeks…
Oh the thrill of the expectation! that’s why I don’t put all of my skeins away. A lot of them sit in a basket in my living room so I can pass them through the day and admire them and dream!
Funny, that’s how I think of babies, too! So much promise, so much potential. And then the process of deciding and becoming begins…
You are so right – so many lovely options with a skein of yarn. I think that’s why so many of mine are un-knit!
I love the potential – it’s a present yet to be unwrapped and so exciting for that.
Love your cards by the way – I’ve half made some, bought some and only given three so far – eeek it’s not just the knitting that is behind!
I love new yarn, and sometimes I have to just admire it (and smell it, too) before it decides what it wants to become.
you have inspired me to look lovingly at my stash!!
I know exactly what you mean about yarn in skeins! As much as I love the neatness of wound cakes, for me the newness has gone as soon as it’s wound! It’s nowhere near as soft to stroke in cake form either.
lol! i cant wait to see those delightfull christmasknitts finished- the mittens are both really beautiful and honestly i wouldn’t know which on i would choose
i also know what you mean about the skeins, i would love to have tons of them in stash..the fact that they could be really anything is sooo inspiring isn’t it?
Sister I hear your pain on the “delightful” Christmas knitting. I’ve been at it since August. Two shawls, a blanket, two hats, a man’s sweater and a man’s vest! I’ve got “me” projects backing up and its driving me nuts. Humbug!
I love the yarn potential too – it makes me happy. I also love when it finally becomes totally different that you never considered and it turns out perfect!! Yarn surprises
Good luck with the Christmas knitting!
I feel that way about new skeins, that’s why I won’t wind them until I’m ready to knit with them. I like both those mitten patterns, look forward to seeing which ones you’ll knit.
Sometimes I like the yarn better in the skein than knitted! Especially on some variegated projects!