All the comments on Ermeline (esp. on Crafster) are motivating me to get started on a larger version for myself now, instead of working on a boy’s version first. (plus laurent doesn’t agree on the shape I had decided for the boy version. This will be a cooperative design :-D)

Anywho. Anyone who’s ever come to my place will tell you I have a humongous stash, lovingly collected during the last 20 years. BUT when it comes to find yarn for this hooded cardigan for me… nope ! Even finding something I can swatch with and reorder more of later… Nope ! :-/
(here: Lamb’s pride worsted, Kureyon and Silk garden)
I’m looking for a yarn that
– works at a gauge of 17 st /10 cm without feeling like chainmail: I want it to be drapey, very drapey !
– first set my mind on semi-solids, but seing that Ermeline made me change my mind :-)
– a widely used yarn, not some obsure french-only brand
– something that won’t start to pill crazy after wearing it twice (argh, plume’s been wearing her Ermeline every single day and the single ply yarn starts to .. what would you call it.. grow wild long hair :-/
– a yarn with bounce to work as lofty, soft and warm fabric.

Unbelievably enough, Kureyon/Silk garden doesn’t quite fit the bill for once. The color schemes would be too eye-catching, when I want only the granny triangles to get all the attention.
And Lamb’s pride was promising, but not lofty and squishy enough. I want this cardi to be light, warm, and with a lovey drape. :-P

All this might be not terribly hard to find. Except I live in France, and no LYS around carries that type of yarn. There’s no way I can actually see and touch the yarns. I spent time on Ravelry, and have so far set my choice on Cascade 220 wool. I even found a french online store carrying it !!! Amazing !!
Now I’m waiting for the color card to arrive to decide if it looks right, and which colors to choose.

At the same time, I have started a skirt a few days ago, initially for lume. (but she doesn’t like the colors, so it will go to somebody else). But I can’t get my sewing machine to work anymore apparently I don’t have the right needles: the ones I have are crap, don’t catch the thread underneath (sorry, I don’t master the sewing terminology yet) or just break in 2 stitches. :-/
And the sewing shop was closed yesterday. :-/
Frustrating as there’s only a couple seams to sew to finish that skirt.. :-P

So basically, I am left with idle hands. Eager to get started on a new project OR sew, but waiting till I have the right materials to do so.

We spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s chalet lately, and I started gardening. At least there I had the right tools, and that was nice. :-) I’ll try to take a few pics :-)

Finally, I’m Sooooooo glad my friend Christine is back in the blogosphere. I’ve missed you ! :-D