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May 28, 2006
The moment you've all been waiting for
No, I didn't finish Mermaid, but...
I ripped back the second sleeve and started over! So far, it looks much better than the first try. It even resembles the first sleeve, so it should turn out fine. I can't wait to finish it...
On Saturday, my dear friend and blogless knitter Amy and I went on a yarn pelgrimage to Nieuwpoort. That's where the lovely yarnshop De Schapekop resides.
This is the outside of the shop. I had been there once before more than one year ago, because it's a bit difficult to reach using public transportation. Which is only for the best, if it were right around the corner, my financial situation might be not as rosy as it is now. Last time I was there, I bought a kit for Flora by Alice Starmore. This shop even sells Alice Starmore yarns.
Here's a look inside. It's a very spacious shop, which is a good thing, especially since Amy and I didn't go alone: her husband and 3 young children went along with us. He let us spend more than 1 hour wandering around the shop before making our decisions, without any complaints. I would say that is quite an accomplishment.
So what did I take home with me? You can see it here, sitting opposite to me on the train back home:
Two balls of Noro Silk Garden in color 226. As you can see, I rewound the balls on the way. Noro balls have a tendency to collapse if you don't do this. And what did I do when I got home, instead of being a good girl and continueing the Mermaid sleeve?
That's right, I started a scarf, and it's turning out lovely!
Posted by saartje at May 28, 2006 5:55 PM
Comments
good choice flora is nice...est good luck with mermaid
Posted by: monique/Engalnd at May 28, 2006 7:01 PM
You're courageous! And your scarf is going to be nicely coloured...
Posted by: FLEUR at May 28, 2006 7:06 PM
Flora is wonderful...The scarf has a beautiful color
Posted by: mumintroll at May 28, 2006 7:28 PM
I love Noro silk garden and have been lusting after some more. #226 was one of those colorways I keep looking at, but not having the real yarn to see and only the Internet pictures is a bit scary. I can't wait to see your mermaid. I'm sure it will be wonderful:) Flora looks like a real challenge!
Posted by: Barb at May 28, 2006 9:36 PM
What a lovely shop. Can't wait to see your finished Mermaid--I've wanted to knit one of Hanne's designs for a long time, and that's one of my favorites.
Posted by: Jen at May 28, 2006 10:12 PM
wow, what selfcontrol, two balls... please teach me how to do that, please... :-/
Posted by: Saskia at May 29, 2006 8:00 AM
I visited De Schapekop for the first time a few weeks ago. I love the shop and it's atmosphere, and to think it's so close.....
I came away with AS's Grant Avenue (Flora was my second choice). And... some Rowan yarn I've been looking for, for a long time. And..... some quilting fabric. And.... a few books!
Looking forward to seeing the completed Mermaid!
Posted by: Lizzie at May 29, 2006 9:52 AM
The local yarn shop in the town I'm living in this summer has lots of Noro, so I will be making a few of your hats.
That yarn store looks lovely.
I can't wait to see the finished mermaid!
Posted by: Jaichan at May 29, 2006 8:59 PM
What a happy sight to see you working on Mermaid again. Your work is so beautiful. It will be exciting to see the completed project. Your Flora is wonderous. It looks so complicated and yet you finished it in a month. It is a joy to view your work.
Posted by: Heather at May 29, 2006 10:39 PM
What a gorgeous shop! The light in there is amazing. I'm glad it's far from me--it would take all of my money.
Posted by: lanea at May 30, 2006 3:41 PM
That Noro silk garden is such a beautiful colorway! I also like the effect of striping by altering two skeins of Noro. As you might have read on my blog, I've planned to do something similar with the silk garden I received from Elka. Thank you for the inspiration:)
It's great to see Mermaid again. It will definately be worth the tedious miles of garter stitch and the trouble of frogging and re-knitting the sleeve. I think it's going to be very stylish and most certainly a very unique piece.
Posted by: kaisakaisa at May 31, 2006 12:13 AM
Oh, I just love Starmore's Flora. Is that correct, you finished it in one month? It's just beautiful!
Posted by: Diane E. at May 31, 2006 11:38 PM
Oh, what a great shop! That sounds like a fantastic day trip!!! I can't wait to see the finished Mermaid!
Posted by: Elinor at June 1, 2006 3:36 AM
Hi Saartje:
I saw your note of december 2005 about estonian and latvian mittens and I loved the pictures. I saw that you were looking for latvian yarn too and I can offer you Estonian knitting and felting yarns from http://www.oldmill.ee
All our yarns are made of a Gotland/Merino blend. If you're interested we sell by weight and ship to any destination in Europe, US and Canada.
Posted by: Gäbriel R. at June 5, 2006 12:17 PM
