Wool Candy

London, here we come!

We’re leaving tomorrow for a fantastic (we hope) vacation in London. I lived there when I was in college for a few months and absolutely loved it, so I can’t wait to go back.

I’ve talked myself down from 5 pairs of shoes to 3. But all 5 knitting projects are coming with me.

My Pas de Valse (that’s a Ravelry link) only needs sleeves, and I’m bringing a single-serving of Soak and some blocking pins and some optimism that I’ll finish it on the plane, or soon thereafter and get to wear it around town. (Cross your fingers that it fits!)

I’m knitting a hat like this one, a sweet, leaf-lace, chunky tweed cap to keep the cold out and the rain off.

I’d also like to crochet the Modest Cloche from Stitch Diva. See, this project totally shouldn’t even count toward my project total because it’s not even KNITTING. Right?

And then there’s the scarf I’m working on… no pics, and it’s a pattern I’m sort of making up as I go.

And then Clapotis, out of Malabrigo sock in “Persia.” I bought one scrumptious skein at Sock Summit from the Yarn Garden, and it’s just too nice to turn into socks. Normally I’m of the opinion that hand knitted socks are made to be worn out, but I want this yarn closer to my face, and for it to be there for a long, long time. I’m packing this one in the suitcase, along with some size 6 Denise plastic needles, because I’ve read horror stories of the British airport people wresting knitting from panic-stricken hands of knitters about to fly many, many hours in a steel tube with nothing else to do but go stir-crazy. I do not want this to happen. So I’m hoping they’ll think the plastic tips are toothbrushes or pencils or something. We’ll see.

The shop will be closed until 11/16, when I get back. I’ll be re-opening with some fanfare and a mini-pre-holiday sale!

Talk to you all soon!