Dawn Brocco's Life and Design Blog

I never used to nap.

Napping was for old people. Well, I must be old, because napping has become an inviolate part of my days. I'm sure it's just the hormone fluctuations, but it is weird to just lie down on the loveseat and be out like a light for an hour or so.

Hubby, in particular, finds this new behavior to be very funny, as I never napped in my life. I was always a busy bee from morn to bedtime. Now, every time he sees me stretched out, he laughs.

Designing
I'm finishing up the 5th panel for the new afghan design. Then comes seaming and the edging.

And as I am nearing the end, my mind has been wandering to worsted wt. wool yarns. I'm thinking about working up some colorwork designs, and have been trying to decide on a yarn. I always begin mental work on new projects before finishing the one I'm on.

I'm also trying to steer clear of heavy worsted wt. yarn - my fav - and use worsted, so to be more desirable to knitters.

One of the best pair of mittens I've ever knit for myself - see below - used Lamb's Pride Worsted. Nice snug gauge of 6 sts/1". I adapted EZ's Winter Spruce pattern, from Knitting Around. The traditional Norwegian flap thumb never appealed to me nor felt comfortable, so I changed it to a gussetted thumb, for better ease of movement.


But these days, there's also Ultra Alpaca, Aussi Worsted, Naturally Nazareth and Lana D'Oro to consider. I'm guessing the alpaca blends will add some haze to the fabric, just like the Lamb's Pride, which may or may not be desirable. The Aussi Worsted is soft, the Naturally Nazareth is sturdy.

The only yarn whose retail price I'm not sure of is the Lana D'Oro, as I'm only finding one online shop that has it, but it's in a 50 gr put-up, when my brand new color card says it's in a 100 gr put up. So, I'm at a loss as to the real put-up and price. If that online shop is right and it's $8.50/50 gr, that's too pricey, not when the Ultra Alpaca is the same mix, same price and 100 gr. Anyone purchase it recently and can give price and put-up?

Labels: Aussi Worsted, Lamb's Pride Worsted, Lana D'Oro, Naturally Nazareth, Ultra Alpaca, Winter Spruce mittens