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July 19, 2006
More french yarn
Thanks for all the welcome back comments! It is indeed good to be back, even though it is even warmer over here than it was in France. I haven't been back at work yet, I've been ill the last two days. But now I'm feeling a lot better so tomorrow it's back to the real world (with airconditioning!).
More yarn from France:
This is what's left over of the two balls of Phildar Préface (color 'Gentiane') I bought somewhere in the Jura. The rest of it has been turned into socks, which I can't show you yet because they're a gift. I can tell you I used a pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. After I give them away, I will show them to the world.
The yarn is nice to work with, unfortunately the color selection is very limited. France is not the country to visit when you're looking for sock yarn.
I did have an unexpected fiber encounter later on. We were staying on a campsite in the village of Mens, about 60 km south of Grenoble. In the window of the Office du Tourisme, there was a lovely felted hat and a bowl with some fleece samples (did I remember to take a picture? no). With it was a note about a felt studio called Lana Stratus in a village nearby. Of course, I dragged T. with me to go there (he's such a patient guy! Remember, this was after the visit to La Droguerie).
We had a lovely time at the studio (but did I remember to take any pictures? no). It is run by Christina, an Australian woman who has been living in Europe for many years. She makes the most beautiful felt clothing and other things. It is well worth a visit, when you're in the neighbourhood. She has a website with details about her studio, workshops etc.
Christina gave us some information on where to find yarn in this part of France. We managed to visit one of them:
Création du Bochaine
Saint-Julien-en-Beauchêne
This shop sells some very luxurious yarns, like alpaca, cashmere and angora. The yarn is produced in the area. I bought three balls of a mohair/silk blend.
It is similar to Rowan's Kid Silk Haze, only heavier (25g = 125m). I think I'm going to use it for a lacy scarf.
Work on Salina has been slow, but steady.
I finished the first sleeve. After I set it in, I discovered it was way to short. So I took out the cast on row, picked up the stitches and knit another 25 rows to lengthen it. In this picture you can also see the way the colar is layed out. So now it's onto the second sleeve!
Posted by saartje at July 19, 2006 7:15 PM
Comments
That Salina is very pretty, I really like the color you're using for it. That trip to France sounds like fun, too. Especially with all the wool shop visits!
Posted by: nat at July 20, 2006 1:31 AM
Salina is coming along beautifully! And that mohair silk yarn! What a colour! It looks so soft! It looks like a really nice treat for yourself. :0)
Posted by: Charity at July 20, 2006 7:11 AM
Heb je ook http://www.elletricote.com bezocht in Strasbourg?
Frankrijk is inderdaad niet het land van de sokkenwol... helaas.
Gerria
Posted by: Gerria at July 20, 2006 7:53 AM
Thanks for the adresses, I knew about Bochaine but not lana stratus! That's nice!
Posted by: fleur at July 20, 2006 11:35 AM
Nog een winkeltip in Fr.: http://www.bergeredefrance.fr/vente/magasins.phtml
Zelf (nog) geen ervaring mee.
Posted by: ajoursteek at July 20, 2006 8:19 PM
hello! oh i have some similar yarn from france that i bought in the mohair-producing region of provence. we were riding our bikes past the farm cooperative and i pursuaded dvid to stop with me. we bought enough yarn to fill a musett bege and then rode on. what a score!
i am drooling over salina and have been eagerly watching your progress; i have that book and have considered making it. and now i might have to!
so glad you are back!
Posted by: anne at July 21, 2006 5:28 PM
Het licht blauwe garen, mohair met zijde, lijkt inderdaad erg veel op Rowan Kidsilk Haze.
Prachtig garen voor een kanten shawl!
Posted by: Berthi at July 22, 2006 11:52 PM
Salina is so beautifully. The yarn and the pattern. A good knitting work, Saartje. Absolut wonderful.
Posted by: Maartje at July 23, 2006 10:33 PM
