Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Where did everyone go?

I didn't get very many comments on my last few posts. Am I boring everyone? Is my knitting not pretty enough or something? Fine. Here's something pretty:

Purply-pink goodness

It's the start of the Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole from Scarf Style--a project out of nowhere! Actually, I've been coveting this stole for awhile, but was beginning to think that I would never make it because I couldn't find an appropriate yarn. As anyone who has wanted to knit this stole knows, the yarn used for the stole in the book costs a pretty penny. I wasn't about to pay that much for that yarn. I've seen examples of Noro Eleanors and Manos Eleanors, but I didn't like them. But then I saw Karaoke at a LYS. I knew shade 281 was destined to be my Eleanor.

Karaoke is self-striping 50% soy silk/50% wool yarn. The color transitions are very gradual, which I like much better than the color transitions in Noro. The effect in Lady Eleanor is wonderful. The texture of Karaoke is much better than I expected. It's soft, has a slight halo, and is pleasantly wooly without being scratchy. It felts easily so it spit splices very nicely. It's rustic looking, but doesn't contain all dead plant fibers that are often found in Noro. Another advantage over Noro--I think the yarn is dyed after the knots in the yarn are tied. I've encountered two knots so far and the yarn on each side of the knot is the same color. So I just have to cut out the knot, spit splice, and go on my merry way. The only complaint I have about Karaoke is that it seems to be slightly overspun. The yarn twists around itself when pulled from the center of the skein.

Joy in Catville!
Last night, I came home from the SnB with goodies for me (more fresh eggs) and a goodie for the cats. It's a little catnip plant from Monkee's backyard. Cleo and Elly are checking it out in the photo below. Scout is nearby but is not in the photo because Elly was getting mad at her. I think the plant will have to live on the floor or the cats would climb on the counter to get to the plant if it were placed there.
Catnip is KittyDrugs

23 comments:

me myself and i said...

ooohhh! I love it...beautiful! And I will comment more...promise!

Laura said...

My commenters seemed to disappear recently too for a bit!

Wow, your Lady Eleanor is beautiful. That yarn is perfect. There are several projects in Scarf Style that I am contemplating -- this was one of them. Can't wait to see yours finished!

Jennifer said...

Very pretty! How much karaoke does it take? I have 5 balls of it, but something tells me that it takes more...

~drew emborsky~ said...

That's some nice knitting! And the cats are cute too!

amylovie said...

I love the ombre effect of the Karaoke. It is a very nice, and resonably price yarn. I haven't seen it knit up yet, and am looking forward to your FO.

Amy

Agnes said...

I'm here I'm here! Been busy with the loose ends lately, so most of the time just read and then go. :P
I heard a lot of good things about Karaoka too ... perhaps can give it a try.
I love your cats! How many do you have? Three?

Carolyn said...

Oh, that's so pretty! Beautiful colours, it looks wonderful so far.

Alison said...

Lovely colors. I really like how it's turning out.

Pumpkinmama said...

Sorry you're feeling commentless! The stole is lovely, and the colors are perfect. I used to grow catnip for my kitties, they just adored it.

GretchenX said...

The other nice thing is that the yarn isn't singles, like Noro and Manos. It looks lovely! And Brutus is jealous - he wants to have a plant to eat, too!

Brutus says Meow, and Elly, be nice to Scout!!!

:)

Anonymous said...

WHoooooa that Eleanor is GORGEOUS!!! I agree the Karaoke is perfect!
At some point I really want to learn the Entrelac process!!

goodkarma said...

Have never tried entrelac, but must say that your project is looking quite beautiful!

Anonymous said...

That is a perfect match between pattern and yarn. I'll have to keep a lookout for Karaoke ... you're the first blogger I've seen mention it. Then again, I don't get around much these days. Very pretty scarf!

Kerstin
crazydaisy.us

Karen said...

Those colors are so pretty!

Nicole Seitler said...

Well, that's one sure-fire way to get lots of comments! Say you haven't gotten any... ;)

What a gorgeous stole! ::drool::

Anonymous said...

Indeed. Your knitting was simply not pretty enough, so I decided to withhold my comments as punishment to you. I hope you've learned your lesson.

Nah, I think this is just a busier time of year for people. I know I have just enough time to look at all my knitting blogs but less time to comment on them than I did in the summer. So it may be blogiverse wide, not just on your blog.

shetha said...

The scarf is bootiful!! I haven't got the balls to knit entrelec yet. It looks beautiful when other people do it though :)

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry I didn't comment; I'm apparently behind the times all over, though.
I *love* your Lady Eleanor! And thanks for the yarn idea!
Have the cats eaten all the 'nip yet?

Mtwelovett said...

lovely entralac Nim! Pretty kitties too :)

Jillio said...

pretty scarf!

i probably bore lots of people, or give them headaches with all the crap i type, so i'm surprised i get any feedback at all. of course, blogger is known to act up every now and then...

Anonymous said...

I LOVE working with karaoke yarn..it is a tad bit costly but I think worth it. I knit an hourglass sweater from it and it was perfect! Your stole is going to be gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty! I hate it when people don't comment.

roxy =^o^= said...

So how's the catip plant these days? LOL