Thank you to those of you that have jumped on this project for Miss Violet At this very moment of 5 PM on Wednesday, a little over 24 hours and with merely a whisper we have tallied 79 skeins. I did my first big run today and got as much as I could into the drying room, AKA the big bathroom where I can run the fan and the oil radiator. Needless to say...I am pooped. The runs will continue and I am only hampered by drying space at this point but will be finishing my other orders and firing up more skeins as I go.
So, on to other news. The (ahem) Baby Alpaca Lace hit the porch today. Yup. I just want to roll around in the box with those cones and rub them under my chin. It is just that fabulous. Now I have a question for you. I am trying to decide how I would like to skein them. My gut tells me that 4 ounce/1000yards would be sufficient but I want to make certain that I listen to the lace knitters, so please tell me if you would prefer 1000 yards or 2000 yards. Vote early and often. :o) Ok, so a third choice for your voting pleasure, since my friends are clueing me in. 6 ounces and 1500 yards. Does this sound Just DREAMY? I am going to strap SOMEBODY to the skeining machine very soon so if this is it...tell me. :o) The Skeining Machine has been set at 1500 yards and the winding of my first precious batch has begun.
I leave you with a photo of something lush. Josephine snagged the Santa Fe Cashmere and said that she is really really happy that she did (smart woman) because she fired it onto the needles and created this major league beautiful wrap. Can you see that bloom? I know...what a beautiful job, Josephine. Thanks a million for the picture. It makes me very happy to stare at it. :o)
Holy Cow! That's gorgeous! I only wish I had more time to knit your yarns Lisa. Ok, my vote on the lace, of course I have to be difficult, and say what about something in between? Like 1400 yards or 1600 yards. I haven't seen many that take more than that have you??
Posted by: June | December 07, 2006 at 05:43 PM
More is better :)
Lots of triangular shawl patterns call for about 1250 yds. A square shawl can take between 1800-2800 yds. Circles are somewhere in between depending on how large they are.
I didn't help at all, did I?
(At least 1250 is what I am saying). I think.
Posted by: Angela | December 07, 2006 at 06:13 PM
I also vote from something in between 1000 and 2000. 1000 yds is not quite enough for a lot of triangular shawls and 2000 is just too much and not sure what to do with the leftovers. And if I wanted to make a large square or circular shawl, that'd be in the 3000-4000 yard range so I'd be buying multiples anyways.
Posted by: Judy | December 07, 2006 at 08:15 PM
can i just say that YOU ROCK!!
79 skeins!!!
awesome
i would buy some, but i don't want to overwhelm you further....
i have bought some of your undyed, superwash...
okay...i'm reaching for my credit card....
Posted by: ann-marie | December 07, 2006 at 08:24 PM
I made Kristine's shawl using one strand of your Shade Garden alpaca laceweight and one strand of (mumble) laceweight in a matching plain color. Large circle shawl, I think I used roughly half of the original alpaca laceweight ball from you, which was, what, 2400 yards? That one was a good-sized one. (Hey! I got a tentative book cover photo today!)
One thing about alpaca as opposed to wool is that it takes a larger needle for the same width and weight of yarn: a combination of the very slight fuzz factor and the inherent--I want to say wiriness, but that implies a lie about the feel of it. It is SOFT. But it is energized. It's just easier to manage on the needles if it's on a bigger needle than a comparable-looking merino would be. Knitted single-strand, I generally use about a 6--and that'll help stretch the yardage out on a project.
Posted by: AlisonH | December 07, 2006 at 11:34 PM
ps Josephine, that is just glorious! And Lisa, congratulations on doing such a fine job supporting Miss Violet. Go Lisa!
Posted by: AlisonH | December 07, 2006 at 11:36 PM
I hate to be a pain but I'd agree that somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000.
Posted by: elizabeth | December 08, 2006 at 03:30 AM
I vote for 1400 yards. That's enough for most shawls, with a little over for swatching and goofups. This stuff is so gorgeous it should be illegal.
Posted by: fleegle | December 08, 2006 at 04:08 AM
I am glad I'm not the only one who is voting 'neither'! I was going to say 1500. Then, you could buy one for a triangle and be safe, and two for a square and be safe. Some more complex triangles run above 1000, and quite a few big squares run over 2000.
Posted by: CarolineF | December 08, 2006 at 05:28 AM
I'm so glad that you got so many orders! That wrap is just gorgeous!!
Posted by: Melissa | December 08, 2006 at 06:06 AM
I'm with Caroline. 1500 is very versatile. That is a beautiful wrap that brings out the best in the yarn, the knitter, and the wearer, and it will only get better with time. Fine job, both of you.
Posted by: Jan | December 08, 2006 at 09:46 AM
1500 is perfect.
Posted by: AlisonH | December 08, 2006 at 11:58 AM
I agree, 1500-1600 would be about right. Personally, I'd love 2000, but I think 1500-1600 would be more universally accepted.
That wrap looks so snuggly. I wish I had a good sized wrap (not on the needles) today. It's freakin' cold today! :P
Posted by: Mary | December 08, 2006 at 12:04 PM
Gawd, that scarf out of the Santa Fe Cashmere is beautiful!! Almost makes me wanna take up knitting. But not quite.
I've had so much fun with my Santa Fe cashmere and am just now finishing up the last Pussy Cap with what I have left of it. It's alternating with black baby alpaca/silk and it's pretty darn dramatic.
I know in all the world there is no bigger lover of your yarns than me. It's impossible, that's why I can make such a bold statement!
Posted by: Tom | December 08, 2006 at 06:24 PM
Okay! 1500 sounds great!!!
Posted by: elizabeth | December 09, 2006 at 05:23 AM
Gorgeous scarf, I have entrelac/cashmere envy.
Posted by: Monica | December 28, 2006 at 01:04 PM