A Tale of Two Yarns

It's the 2nd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week. I've decided to participate this year in order to get back to blogging more frequently. There are pre-determined blog post topics for each day. Todays is this: Part of any fibre enthusiast’s hobby is an appreciation of yarn. Choose two yarns that you have either used, are in your stash or which you yearn after and capture what it is you love or loathe about them.

So Many Yarns
Really, there are a number of yarns I have both used or are in my stash, and many more that I yearn after (qiviut or buffalo, anyone?). The yarns I love depend on the project I'm making. For scarves, I love using Malabrigo worsted weight - so soft and a joy to knit with. I've been using Mountain Colors Weavers Wool in quite a few projects lately - also lovely to work with and the colors are so wonderful. But I think what I'm most enamored with lately is Socks That Rock (mediumweight). I'm heading toward the finishing line on first completed pair of socks and I love this yarn. It's tightly spun and knits up quite squooshy. I envision a whole drawer full of socks made from STR. I'd like to try the other weights as well.

I Wish I Knew How To Quit You
Oh, Noro. How much I love you and yet loathe you. I love your colors, I love the projects I've made with you.

But your knots kill me. I like to believe that one gets what they pay for. But when it comes to you, I don't want to pay the high price for knots which result in an abrupt color change. And I know I'm not the only one. It's not just bad Noro mojo on my part. I know other knitters who have taken you home only to be disappointed. I have to admit, a year or so ago I bought a bag of 10 skeins for less than $4 a skein. I've got plans for that yarn. Whether the fact that I paid less for the skeins lessens the disappointment remains to be seen. I expect better workmanship for that price, Noro!