Woolen Souvenirs

Wendy asked about yarn purchases in Shetland.  I know I was just talking about how I had way too much stash but I went to Shetland and you know what that means, right?  No one would really expect me to go to *Shetland* and not buy wool or yarn, right?  Seriously.  That would just be cruel.  Forget that I still have loads of yarn left from our first trip there in '97.

At the shop in the Jamieson's Mill, I couldn't resist this tam.  I'll never wear it (I look like a dork in hats - especially tams) but I loved the colors and just couldn't leave it.  It's machine knit but it was less than $20.  Here are shots of the front, back and up close and personal:

We went to the Isleburgh Community Center where they have an exhibit each Summer.  It's so much fun to watch the ladies knit.  You have never seen fingers fly so fast.  Intricate lace or fair isle patterns.... their fingers are a blur.

I bought these handknit fingerless gloves for a mere $9.

I bought a kit for the Firs and Flakes shawl (click here) and a kit for Dan (click and scroll down to the Noss sweater here). Dan's is in the colorway on the man in the tiny picture in the gallery page.  We saw a sample knit up and it's gorgeous.  Back at the B&B the next day I got to talking about knitting with another woman staying there.  She informed me that I could buy a fleece at J&S also!!  Back we went the next day.  I picked out a gorgeous gray one.  When she totalled it up at four pounds (about $8) you know what happened next.  Even Dan said, "Go get another one!"  Told you.  He's a good man.  Here's the gray one washed:

And the white one unwashed:

It's in the washer right now, soaking.  I had to skirt this one a bit more.  Pretty gross on the back end.  I had thought that I would process these completely by hand, but they're pretty full of dirt and grass.  I think I'll just wait until we get to NY and take them to get processed.   I have two others that I had no business buying this past spring that are still in the boxes they came in.  How long can I leave them like that?  Can it wait until next summer when we get back to the States?  I should just bite the bullet and scour them.  They're both covered fleeces so it wouldn't take much to clean them.  But I digress....

Then at Jamieson's shop on Commercial street I bought some beautiful denim colored yarn for another shawl.  It's bluer than in the photo.  What's with blues and purples anyway?  They never come out in pictures quite right. Anyway, it's way thicker than what I needed (insert hand backwards on forhead and martyr voice)...but I'll make it work.  I thought the yarn in the kit for the shawl was thicker and it was back at the B&B but who cares, right?  It's wool so it's all good.

On a personal note... Dan's uncle had a massive heart attack the night before last.  Dan's mom called me last night and I was able to get hold of Dan within an hour or so.  It looks like he's going to pull through but if you could please include him in your prayers we'd appreciate it.  The next few days will be shaky.  Dan's family is very close and this has been a real blow. We'll know more in a couple of days.  They're keeping him heavily sedated so he can get some much needed rest.  I'll keep you posted.

Comments

[Erica]

Sorry to hear about Dan's uncle; well thoughts are being sent.

[Madame Purl]

$8.00?!?!?! Oh my... I want to get on the next plane - stat. I've heard you shouldn't let them sit too long or they will get hard and there was something about bugs. I've never let mine sit unwashed - washed now - another topic, so I don't know if it's true or not. Thanks for doing all this posting, I've really enjoyed seeing pictures of your trip. I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

[Kim]

My thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family. your trip sounds wonderful!

[wool winder]

I can't believe the prices on the knitted items...they're practically giving them away! Praying for Dan's uncle.

[Rachel]

I'll keep Dan's uncle and your family in my thoughts. I hope he pulls through. Take care.