The low hanging fruit

It is common practice at the local yarn shop to come in, sit in the sunroom, and knit, regardless of whether or not you plan to make a purchase that day. Today, I proved that there is good business sense to that policy. I intended to just knit today, but as soon as I was in the door, Burla points me at the wall of Cascade wool that came in yesterday, another wall of Manos, and the Manos silk. The silk was fantastically tempting, but I managed to refrain from all of this. Instead, I found something that I managed to miss over the summer, I'm guessing. Take a look.



This is Zitron Trekking Hand Art in the Feuerland (tierra del fuego) colorway. I am not a person that really gets struck by beauty often. People show me patterns and say "Isn't this pretty?" and I nod, because I don't know any better. Seeing this in the skein, the word gorgeous came to mind. I took it down, and then actually put it back up. I told myself that I didn't need any more yarn, that I want to start a sweater, that I should save my money. I went back to my knitting, and the longer I stayed, the more I couldn't live without this yarn. And now that it's home with me, I have no idea what I'm going to do with it.

As of last weekend, I had made it down to two WIPs, having finished my Lovikka mittens --except for felting and embroidery-- and the teddy bear --except for sewing in ends, blocking, seaming, and filling it-- so I started another project. Another pair of socks. See below.



I'm calling them my Wye Oak Socks (because the colors are similar to the album art of the band with the same name). This is my first project that involves yarn overs, which by itself isn't terribly exciting, but it does open up all new pathways. I would certainly like to try lace knitting at some point. Right now, I still very much knit for myself, and lace knitting doesn't really produce any manly wears. Until I find a more feminine person who would really appreciate it or a more manly lace pattern, lace knitting will just stay on hold.

And John Darnielle released yet another EP! He's calling this one "Satanic Messiah" and you can get it from the link below. Feel free to donate a few bucks for the songs, but don't feel obligated. That comes straight from the man himself. It is really fantastic though. I'd definitely have paid for it if I had to.

The Mountain Goats - Satanic Messiah EP