a simple yarn

I realise it’s still only 2006, but I have a feeling that 2007 is going to be all about Aran…

…not traditional Aran jumpers, mind you, but Aran weight yarn….
…the kind made in Donegal….
…the tweed stuff….
…Kilcarra.

I’ve always liked the Kilcarra-Donegal-tweed-aran-weight yarn. A bit scratchy, but a lovely, colourful, oh-so-very-Irish yarn.

Sure, other yarns are softer.
Other yarns felt better.
But I’ve constantly come back to Kilcarra…even before Debbie Bliss popularised it as a signature yarn. (there’s my YS impersonation, Holly)

Recently it’s been dedicated to Fetchings. Nice, sturdy, very warm! Currently on the needles, two pair for Christmas intended for the kids’ teachers. Young, hip women whom I hope will like ‘em. (Camera batteries went dead…you know what Fetchings look like by now….imagine ‘em in ruby red tweed….will make up with more photos below….)

And then last week as I visited Craftspun Yarn, I was drawn like moth to flame, to a new-to-me shade of Kilcarra. A deep aubergine (that’s eggplant in North America). Deep purple with flecks of turquoise and hints of lime. Not too loud. Very subtle. Very alluring. Very tempting. Bought 400 grams without an idea of what to do with them.

But not for long…Project No. 1 for 2007 will be a Cabled Vest for me. Yippee! Cannot wait until I can cast this on with the aubergine yarn!

But, I have to temper my thrill with the discipline to finish the legwarmers for Kate, the knitted monkey for Alex, the cardy for Kate, and the wonky square intarsia pillow cover all stuffed into various and sundry bags, jammed into a cupboard somewhere. They, like Poe’s Telltale Heart, are speaking to the atrocities of being left lying around whilst other projects take precedence. It’s horrifying.

A literary inspired language diversion ahead…
I love the word ‘whilst’. Typically in North America, we don’t use it in everyday conversation, settling instead for the more modern-sounding ‘while’. But here it is used….fairly regularly….sounding quite Edwardian or Victorian or Dickensian or perhaps Poe-ian. Very cool I must say.

Right, back to Aran….

And then what to my wondering eyes did appear just prior to the Dublin Knitting and Stitching Show?

More ideas for my beloved Kilcarra. And whilst (!) browsing that book, I came across THIS jumper.

I’ve been looking for something like that….because I have a lot of this….

I’m not sure how it’ll all work out, but it’s destined to be Project No. 2 for 2007…for me! So, yep, it looks like 2007 is going to be all about Aran!

Warning: Shameless commercial to follow…
So, would you like to purchase Kilcarra Donegal tweed aran weight yarn? Two yarnshop-owner-friends carry it. Have a look at Friends-Warren-And-Jenny-Who-Own-Craftspun website for their range of Irish yarns. Or you can also go to Friend-Lisa-Of-ThisIsKnit.ie as she also carries this lovely yarn!