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June 19, 2009

Intarsia

Seeing as David is such an awesome husband, and he hasn't had a new knit in a while, and he wore Em's Selbu Modern with such aplomb, he deserves a new colourwork hat of his own.

Last week the new Knitty came out, and while not much of it grabbed me, I liked Urbanista straight away. So I didn't waste any time, I went to Spotlight on Wednesday and dug through the mess that they call the yarn aisle and came up with three acceptable colours.

It's just Spotlight's own brand of 8ply (DK), but it's 100% wool, and not bad, especially seeing as it's only about $3 a ball. Of course, you have to deal with Spotlight to get it. For those of you who are not familiar with Spotlight, it's not unlike Michaels. Or Hobby Lobby. I can't remember which one it was that Jill took me to. It may even have been JoAnn's. At any rate, it's a craft store which generally sells all sorts of stuff, including lots of crap yarn, and the occasional good one. And every outlet I've ever been in is a mess. Stock in the aisles, bins full of all sorts of paraphenalia, no price tags, stuff put away in the wrong spot. You get the idea.

Anyway, I got the yarn, he likes the colours, so I've cast on.

This is the right side. (apologies for the blur)

But I think I like the "wrong" side better.

And I remember why I'm not a huge fan of intarsia.

Thankfully, it's only a hat!

And another bear.

This one is a "floppy" one. She has special joints so that her arms, legs and head flop about!

Posted by Donna at June 19, 2009 08:22 PM

Comments

Spotlight at Auburn on Parramatta Road is better than any of th others I've been in. Relatively neat and I've only had pleasant assistants, hard though that is to believe. Lots of what used to be called haberdashery and plenty of parking. It's worth a trip, although quite a drive for you but not too bad if you use teh M& etc.

Posted by: Jan Bishop at June 19, 2009 09:08 PM

That would be "if you use the M7 etc.

Posted by: Jan Bishop at June 19, 2009 09:10 PM

Spotlight at Penrith [the new one] is usually tidy[compared to the old one] but often the yarn shelves are cmparatively empty!

Posted by: Lynne at June 19, 2009 10:44 PM

The bear is so cute, I didnt know you made those too, or perhaps I have just forgotten. I really like knitting with the Spotlight 8 ply, it actually has a nice texture and some of the colors are new too. I am sure David's hat will turn out great, and the 3 colors look good together too.

Posted by: sue at June 20, 2009 12:25 AM

Hi Donna,
spotlight Rockdale (much closer to you) is also full of staff who know their eggs, or wool, or fabric. and its always been neat when I have been there. Not bad for the blackspot of doom,

Posted by: gemma at June 20, 2009 07:40 AM

That is going to be a great hat. Does your bear have a name?

Posted by: KSee at June 20, 2009 07:52 AM

Spotlight at West Ipswich,Qld is great, brand new, lots of yarny goodness. I know a bit to far to drive. But I agree with Lynne. Penrith's new store is good and just across the road is Lincraft.
Well it was 6mts ago... :)
Must admit David does model well.

Posted by: Lorelle Longhurst at June 20, 2009 10:06 AM

Love the bear! I tend to avoid our local Michael's and Joann's unless absolutely necessary. They have the yarn way in the back of the store and to me it seems hidden away.

Posted by: Suzanne at June 20, 2009 10:40 AM

First off love the bears. Have you tried making them before? I used to make bears before I ever found knitting. The dummy I am gave most away and we didn't have good digital photos back then. Another expensive, yet fun hobby. Expensive because of the mohair fabric.

I have to agree the "wrong side" of the hat appeals to me more too. I'm not the biggest fan of these wrong side knits. I want to go "you have it on inside out."

Posted by: Madame Purl at June 21, 2009 11:04 PM

Your Spotlight store sounds like most of the JoAnn stores around me. Always messy and the aisles are full of stuff. I avoid that store as much as I can.

Posted by: Eileen at June 23, 2009 12:31 AM

Love the colors you chose for the hat - its going to be really nice. Very cute bear!

Posted by: Jeanne at June 23, 2009 12:40 PM

Ah, The BlackSpot of Doomlight. Ours makes me cry sometimes it is so terrible and they are stock taking so the craft (wool and embroidery) counter has been closed for 3 weeks!! Love David's hat and I agree, the 'wrong' side is my prefernce too. I didn't know you could get floppy joints!! Lovely bear!!

Posted by: 2paw at June 26, 2009 12:34 PM