Welcoming the Diva(s)

I tend to anthropomorphize my yarn. Some yarns are that solid, dependable friend that is always there, waiting, after you come back from the latest fad or hare-brained idea. Some are expensive, demanding, high-maintenance but worth it. Some are wallflowers, waiting their turn patiently until one day, suddenly, you see the beauty that’s been there all along.

And then some yarns march right up to the head of the line, sail past the security guard, sit right on your lap, and look you directly in the eye. “You cannot do anything else until you’ve worked with me,” they say, “because I really am all that.” I met some yarns like that this past weekend. I had wanted to meet Ms. Cleaver for some time, and it seemed like a good thing to combine with a visit to KnitWit to see the new Quince and Co. yarns. I did take some pictures while we were in the store, but as it turns out my kids had smeared their sunscreeny hands all over my lens cover, so everything I took looked pretty psychadelic.

But the company, the shop, and the yarns were all amazing. Someone actually recognized me, as I was browsing, which totally thrilled me after my initial disbelief. Anna, KnitWit’s owner, could not possibly have been more helpful or friendly. And the yarns… Well, let’s just say they back the diva attitude up with some real substance.

The colors are utterly phenomenal, first of all. They’re saturated, they’re rich, they’re completely solid and gorgeous. But the real story, I think, are the yarns themselves. They seem exceedingly hard-wearing and sturdy, but they have the feel of the most delicate merino. They’re utterly, utterly perfectly crafted. I chose both the Chickadee (NO surprise there)

and the Osprey (yes, even though it’s aran weight!)

because they felt like the right combination of softness and sproing for my taste. But I don’t see how you could go wrong with any of the yarns. The Chickadee is already whispering sweet nothings into my ear. I’m less sure what I’m going to do with the Osprey beyond a basic outline in my head. I hope to wear them both to Rhinebeck.

I’m sure the other yarns will forgive me, right? It’s not like I had any choice in the matter.

11 thoughts on “Welcoming the Diva(s)

  1. I’ve been drooling over these on-line. I am amused by the plum sitting next to the green. Those were the original colors for my Adelina until I changed my mind. I remember you oohhing over the original choice I made. Can’t wait to see what you do with them.

  2. I meant to say the blue next to the green.

  3. Yum! How awesome to be recognized…dis-belief will have to fall away after it happens over and over again. 🙂

  4. I love the last shot with artwork and little blurry faces! It was great to meet you and I think I’ve just decided that I’ll have to work up my Quince design before Rhinebeck so we can find each other there and share!!

  5. You look very happy with your Divas!

  6. yummy colours! Can’t wait to see what they become!

  7. I’ve been looking at these too, though from all the way over here (Australia). I hate that there’s no way to see so many great yarns from where I live! I have been dreaming about another tea leaves cardigan in lark in winesap, on my computer it looks like a really rich true red. Do I take the plunge for a sweater worth of yarn sight unseen? Your post is kind of saying, hell yes!

  8. I am wondering which colors you ended up with in those photos?

    I ordered some Peacock colorway and it arrived looking much greener than it did on my monitor, but I wrote to them about it, wanting to exchange for a color that would be flattering on me. So I asked about Winesap, and Pam wrote back saying it is not at all bluish, a fairly true red, with maybe a bit of brownish in it, but definitely not rusty in any way. Apparently, they will be getting color-cards soon, for those of us not in Portland anymore! That will be great!

    But, if you get the Winesap, Sooz, and then don’t like it, I believe that, while you pay the return postage, you don’t have to pay the second shipping postage on an exchange. Worth writing them about. They’re very nice.

  9. Ooooh. I’ll need to touch this when I see you next!

  10. Someone is in loooove!!! 😉 Gorgeous colors!

  11. I stopped off in Portland on our way home on Saturday. I picked up a few things too 🙂

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