Burgeoning (plus giveaway)
One afternoon, a few days after our move, I took a little walk around the yard with my camera and knitting in hand. I was looking for somewhere to show off these slippers. And what do you know, we have a handy woodpile that does the job rather nicely. The pattern is called Burgeoning, and I think it’s a lovely way to start things off in the new house!
There’s something really satisfying about how these work up. You cast on at the back of the heel, work a few increases for the bottom of your foot, work a few decreases for the gusset, and then finish up at the toes. They’re simple and clever and pretty, and the they come together amazingly quickly.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll feel hideously clever the whole time you’re knitting them. You really can’t see where you cast on or where you finish up, so they look sort of like they created themselves out of the ether with no beginning and no end. I mean I know how they work…you know how they work…there’s no actual trickery here. But somehow they feel just the tiniest bit like a magic trick!
I made mine with Zealana’s Rimu DK. This was my first time using a yarn with possum in it, and I sort of loved it. The yarn has just a bit of a halo, and it gives the fabric a really nice look (if you zoom in on the pictures, you should be able to see it). It’s very soft, very warm, and from what I read, it should be quite sturdy…all of which sounds great in a slipper. I know possum can be a little bit controversial, but the Zealana folks have a lot of good information about it over here that makes me feel better about using it.
I’ve got two extra balls of the yarn I used (that was plenty to make a pair of slippers for my size 11 feet) to send off to someone who’d like to give it a try. Just leave a comment here telling me the most interesting material you’ve ever knit with. Possum? Yak? Bison? Or maybe you like stainless steel or the space-age outlast or the nifty yarns made from milk or corn (yes really…I’m not making it up!)? There’s no right or wrong answer, I just like to know what you guys have used.
And for everyone I can’t send yarn to, I’ve got a coupon for Burgeoning. You can use the code HALO to get 10% off between now and Friday. Just put Burgeoning in your ravelry cart, click on the ‘use a coupon code’ button, and type in the code HALO. You’ll see the change in price reflected right away.
Comments left between now and the end of the day (eastern time) Friday, October 6, 2017 will be entered to win. I’ll pick a winner, contact them to get their addresses, and arrange to send yarn their way. Be sure to use a real email address so I can contact you if you’ve won (I won’t do anything with those email addresses besides notify the winner). If I do email you, I need to hear back from you within 72 hours or I will pick a new winner and contact them. Sorry, but I can only ship physical prizes to US addresses.
most exotic yarn so far: bamboo . . . but I am a sucker for anything alpaca
Recently I bought a couple of skeins of Habu cotton cork yarn. It has a fringe. I made a little washcloth that I love because it is not too scratchy and it dries quickly. I also want to add some to a cotton sweater for fun.
I’m slowly knitting a shawl with handspun cat hair. I know cat hair by itself isn’t exotic, but as yarn…
I’m knitting a hat out of lama. It is so soft & has a beautiful sheen. It also seems very warm.
Tencel, Alpaca…..apparently I’m not that adventurous of a knitter. I have drooled over the yak blend in the yarn store, does that count?
possum, huh? Well, my most “exotic” knitting was the use of qiviut, the yarn made from the hair (?) of musk ox. It’s very, very soft, like knitting a cloud, and extremely warm. I picked it up when in Alaska, as it was something I promised myself when I started researching for my trip. I had been in Fairbanks and the surrounding area when I was 21 and saw a herd of musk ox that were being reintroduced at the University. There was also research being undertaken to see if the musk ox could be used in some way for the indigenous Americans to make money and be able to thrive. I saw that this was one of the ways both the people of Alaska and the beautiful gentle animals could thrive. Of course, this wonderful yarn is now available online and well worth the high price point.
Possum…it’s so light and airy, but surprisingly warm!
Ohmygosh, I’ve knit with possum only once, and I loved it! And it was one of your patterns–the Vestige mitts.
The most exotic thing I’ve knit with is probably just that. Or maybe Seacell!
The most exotic or special yarn I have used is Quviut. Lovely stuff!
A group of friends and I were talking about luxurious/exotic fibers and possum came up – I’d love to try it! I think the most exotic thing I’ve actually knit with was a camel/silk/wool blend (so soft!).
I drop spun bear and then knitted a pouch. I used a bear claw for the opening. I must have washed it over 20 times, And you know what? Well it still has a very strong distinctive bear smell.
I used sterling silver wire and beads to knit covers for glass candle holders. Pretty FO, but not my favorite knitting experience!
Yak is the most exotic thing I’ve ever knit with (and was awwwwwwwwesone). I am intrigued about the possum!
I have used the stainless steel from habu.
I knit with paper from Habu Textiles- very different yet enjoyable
I’ve knit with Quviut and that was a luxurious experience. But the most unusual yarn I’ve ever used is Yak. When I opened the package I almost fainted from the odor. I was warned by the seller that Yak has a strong scent that some may not be able to handle. I didn’t wash the yarn as suggested. I just wound it and pressed on to complete the cowl. Then I soaked it to block the thing. Most of the odor went down the drain I don’t think I’ll try it again.
Nettle! I work at a local yarn shop and there was a mistake in the order….we hadn’t ordered it, but the owner decided to keep skeins. I’m working on a store sample…an eleven inch square wash cloth. It’s physically painful to knit but I soldier on…..the consensus is that it will be WONDERFUL once it is washed😏
I haven’t tried anything too exotic as of yet. I did knit with a Yak/Bamboo blend one. Lhasa from Bijou Bason and it was so beautiful and drapy. Loved it!
Hi. The most interesting fibers I have knit with were plastic bags and wire.
A friend asked me to spin some of her golden retriever’s fur, and I knit up a few sample swatches.
Qiviut! I have a bison – merino-silk blend on the needles right now. I’ve been curious about possum and the stainless steel and knitted jewelry – haven’t gotten to those quite yet.
I haven’t ventured too far into exotic yarns. I think Yak is probably the wildest I have gotten. Every time I groom my Scottish Terrier with her super strong & wiry, yet soft, hair, I wonder if anyone has ever spun up scottie fur. She makes enough to cover about three dogs her size at a time!
Love the slippers and can’t wait to see all the different projects as people try them.
Maybe yak? Haven’t really knit with that many odd things. I would love to try possum tho.
I’ve never used a possum yarn but I’m dying to! I also love the slippers they look super cozy for cool/cold days plus the design is gorgeous:)
Alpaca is my most exotic so far – but seeing these I can hope the next exotic yarn would be possum!
I use to knit for a fur garment company many years ago. Machine and hand knitted garments.
I’ve knit with rabbit fur, mink , sheared beaver, muskrat and qiviut.
My favorite is qiviut, my least favorite was muskrat.