Follow-up: Pairing Hand-Dyed Yarns

I'm back to show some of the results of the yarn pairings from last week. I had trouble with a couple of them, but another couple are going to be Wanda Nells! 

Just a note: I won't be linking all these yarns again. Please refer to the previous two posts if you want more information on them. Thanks. Now I can get this post done in less than two hours. Whew.

First up is a little sock I started with the Shibui Sock and the Yarntini. I really thought this would go better, but these two had trouble getting along. You see, when trying to do a little Fair Isle section at the top of the cuff, the colors were so close that you couldn't even see the design. Too little effect for so much work. Just above the mottley, supposedly Fair Isle is some striping, which also was not very satisfying. Sure, it's mildly interesting, but we're going for KAPOW here. (Rip, rip, rip.)

And then thanks to Crochetblogger (on Rav), who recently did a little assessment of Figknits and in the process (indirectly) reminded me to add some crochet to this project...

...I tried these same two in a crochet flower motif. Better, but the jury's still out. Also, I was made aware by doing this that the texture of each of these yarns is not so similar after all. We all know that a yarn can look different in the skein than it does worked up. Kinda like that "it looked good on the rack" phenomenon we've all encountered in dressing rooms...under harsh lights...in front of rude mirrors...

...but I've wandered. Back to the yarn!

This is the result of knitting Hazel Knits Artisan Sock Pacific with Claudia Hand Painted Yarns Fingering Walk in the Woods in a two-round stripe pattern. I like it! I like it, even though I now know that this Claudia is skinnier than the Hazel. It works anyway. Look how even the fabric is. It's just a mystery. After all the knitting I have ever done I still do not understand all I know about yarn. I am humbled daily. Oh and I emphasized "this" because we all also know that the same yarn in a different color can be lighter or heavier, whatever the case. I have often encountered this with Cascade 220 Wool. Some colors are lighter weight, although its all supposed to be the same. If anyone knows why, please enlighten me. Thanks.

Onward!

Oh happy day, we have come to my two standout favorites. I wish you were here with me now so you could see this in person. This is the happiest fabric on the planet. These roses, oranges, melons, wines, marigolds, caramels, piglet's ears! Every stitch is a party as I watch what two colors will be paired next. This is the Hazel Knits Artisan Sock in Sailor's Delight and Wool in the Woods Cherub in (possibly) Sugar Maple. Needless to say, this works. This is destined to be a Wanda Nell in its original incarnation with sleeves to the elbow. I can't wait to show you when it's done.

And now, my personal choice as winner of the Great Sock Yarn Pairing Project is...

The Hazel Knits Artisan Sock in Chocolatier and Schaefer Nichole in Julia Child. Oh, how I wish I could have gotten a better picture. This one just does not cut it. This fabric is perfect--soft as can be, smooth as if it were one yarn, and colors that meld together like chocolate and peanut butter. This "Julia and the Chocolatier" Wanda Nell is going to have long sleeves and it is destined to be my favorite cardigan of all time. Maybe when it's done I can get Natalie to photograph it well enough to convey its beauty.

Wish I could work on it more right now. The only thing that can pull me away from it is a cashmere lace shawlette design I'm working on. Too much delight!

I hope your current project is making you happy, too. Let me know which of these results you like best, given that you can't see them in person and must rely on my rudimentary photog skills, of course.

See ya soon!