It’s been a while since I had peace of mind for knitting, but I started again slowly after the new year. There is almost nothing more relaxing (to me) than knitting a few rows at the end of the day. The repetitive motion (and the added benefit of actually seeing your work grow!) are hugely satisfying to me.
I recently finished a couple of smaller projects (that I will show you some other time), but right now I am excited to start a new piece with one ball of yarn from my 100 Farbspiele (German for: “100 color plays”) stash. Those balls of yarn have a long color gradient ( > 500 yards per ball) and come in a variety of beautiful color schemes.
Long gradient yarn is kind of hard to find in the US (let me know, if you know of any source that has balls that run at least 700 yards), but I am lucky to get my supplies through my aunt and mom from Germany from a small business called “100 Farbspiele”. The yarn is hand-dyed, has 3 to 6 plies (strands) that are unplied (does that make sense?) and made to order, so it usually takes a while to get your hands on this yarn (processing time is about 4 weeks), but the yarn is so beautiful and fun to work with. In fact, it’s a bit addicting (I have four other balls of gradient yarn that I am dying to use.)
I’ve wanted to knit a Groovy, a triangle shawl, for the longest time and finally started a couple of days ago. The color scheme that I am using is called “Under Water”, which has beautiful blue and aqua shades.
The finished pattern will look like this:
This is my Mom’s work and she used the color scheme “Irland” (which is similar to the one I am using, just more green-ish). The fun part about this yarn is that you can start it from either end and that way you can decide how you want your knitted item to look.
I used to buy just any cheap yarn from Michaels or Joann’s, but I’ve become pickier over the years. I prefer lighter weights and higher quality yarns now, because they’re just more fun to work with and you’ll just get a qualitative better and more beautiful final piece.
What’s your favorite yarn? Are you working on something right now?
Stefanie
February 22, 2016 at 6:56 amThis is a beautiful color gradient and I am looking forward to seeing how your project is going to turn out.
I love chunky yarn (not too chunky though). I recently finished a newborn beanie using this type of yarn and loved how it turned out. One huge advantage of chunky yarn is that you can finish a smaller project like this in just an evening.
san
February 23, 2016 at 8:45 pmThat is totally true – I just finished a project (cowl) with chunkier yarn and it was a pretty quick knit. Do you have a special brand that you prefer?
Stefanie
February 24, 2016 at 9:04 pmNo special brand. Just whatever I find and like at Michael’s.
Feisty Harriet
February 22, 2016 at 7:44 amOoooooooh, that is gorgeous!! I tried knitting a few years ago and…uh…was really terrible at it. But, I recently unpacked a pile of knitting needles I inherited from my grandmother, perhaps it’s time to try again?
xox
san
February 23, 2016 at 8:45 pmYou should definitely try again ;) I know it can be frustrating until you get the hang of it, but I think it’s worth it.
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
February 22, 2016 at 7:55 amWow, your mom’s project is gorgeous – as is the yarn you’ll be using! I don’t do a lot of knitting so I tend to only purchase really high quality yarn for my projects as I can totally tell the difference between cheaper yarn and higher quality yarn. I don’t know the brand of the yarn I am using now as I bought it 2 years ago but it’s to beautiful and knits up so great! My favorite yarn in general, though, is Malbrigo. Most of the hats and scarves I’ve made over the last 3-5 years were made with that brand of yarn.
I’ve been knitting more lately, too, which tends to happen in the winter months. We had a 3 hour drive to my parents this weekend so I did quite a bit of knitting on the drive there and then a little bit on the way back. This winter I might actually finish the shawl I’ve been working on for 2+ years!
san
February 23, 2016 at 8:46 pmThanks for the recommendation. I will definitely take a look at Malbrigo yarn! I am looking forward to seeing a picture of your finished shawl! Keep going!
Sigga
February 22, 2016 at 10:35 amI think about this yarn since a while but I haven’t ordert it jet. The blueishgreenish shade is perfect, just the colors I love … beside a bright orange.
I am totally addicted to Dibadu (handdyed yarn from Germany) and I also like Wollmeise (handdyed too), especially the one called “Blend”, the supersoft one. the Lady from Dibadu seems to be more special with colors and I like this a lot.
san
February 23, 2016 at 8:47 pmThank you for the recommendation, Sigga. I hadn’t heard of Dibadu, but I might have to pass this information on to my mom and aunt ;)
Marie
February 22, 2016 at 10:53 amThose colors are gorgeous! So beautiful! I wish I knitted. In fact, if we lived close, I’d head on over to your place so you could teach me how to knit.
san
February 23, 2016 at 8:47 pmOh, you have no idea how much I’d love to get together with you and teach you how to knit!!!!
Maria
February 22, 2016 at 11:28 amWow really cool yarn! Where did your mom get it from in Germany? Knitting is not for me, but my mother in law is really into it. This yarn would be a great gift to her.
san
February 23, 2016 at 8:47 pmIt’s from 100 Farbspiele.
Eva
February 22, 2016 at 1:14 pmSan, that is a beautiful shawl! I had to add the pattern to my ravelry favorites :)
I once used hand dyed yarn from Twisted Fiber Art, and the project turned out beautifully. They sell long gradient yarns with different yardages. I haven’t figured out yet if high quality yarns are equally pricey in Germany as they are here. I find that high quality yarns are generally worth their money, although I’ve had great results with cheaper yarns too — I guess I’m using both higher end and lower end yarns, depending on the project and my budget. That being said: I don’t have any projects on my needles currently, and should get back into knitting ASAP. Like you, I find it super relaxing.
san
February 23, 2016 at 8:49 pmOh yay, I am glad you like the pattern and I think I need to find you on Ravelry ;) I also looked at the Twisted Fiber Art website and oh boy, they have beautiful yarn… but it’s damn expensive, but as you said, the higher quality yarn is probably worth the money ;)
Chrissy
February 23, 2016 at 4:07 amI feel the same way about buying yarn of higher quality! I used to buy at JoAnns and Michaels as well, but had to go to local yarn stores here in Germany after returning which sell really great yarn – I recently started working with Malabrigo which I love and thanks to your recommendation I ordered my first skein at 100 Farbspiele and cannot wait to get my hands on it. We also have a Schoppel Wolle outlet nearby which I just found out about and let me tell you their yarn is himmlisch!
Currently I am working on a summer shawl using a Zauberball from Schoppel Wolle https://www.schoppel-wolle.de/en/zauberball-1536_-75-virgin-wool-25-nylon-fuchsia-924 and it’s such a fun knit!
san
February 23, 2016 at 8:50 pmYou’re the second person to recommend Malbrigo! I have to look into it!
I am curious how you will like the 100 Farbspiele yarn…. I think it knits up beautifully (although I give you a fair warning, because it’s unplied, it can be a little tricky sometimes to not miss a plie!).
The Zauberball yarn looks really fun, too! Thanks for sharing the link! I can’t wait to see your finished shawl!
san
February 23, 2016 at 8:57 pmNoch eine Frage: wieviele Knäuel brauchst du denn da für einen shawl? (Die Lauflänge ist ja recht “kurz” .
Chrissy
February 24, 2016 at 12:56 amIch habe 2 Knäuel gebraucht, denn die Wolle ist sehr ergiebig trotz der Lauflänge – stricke auch mit einer 3,5 Nadel und nicht mit einer 1-2er Größe. Habe die Wolle im Outlet für 9 euro statt je 12,80 gekauft. Stricke sie das erste Mal und bin echt begeistert. Habe von dem Outlet erst kürzlich erfahren, werde auf jeden Fall wieder hingehen – wenn du was brauchst, besorge ich es dir gerne! xxx
Holly
February 24, 2016 at 7:06 pmThat’s so pretty! I got a couple of books on learning how to crochet for Christmas but I haven’t started yet. It looks so complicated!! I really want to learn, though!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
February 28, 2016 at 4:14 amSan, this looks and sound amazing. I am not a great knitter myself (I need my mom to get my first row on the needle) but I know the meditative work is true and calming. Looking forward seeing your finished triangle scarf.
Happy Sunday, Tobia
Bine
April 29, 2016 at 10:30 amOh- WOW! Wundervoll und so inspirierend!
Ich glaube, ich muss mir morgen neue Wolle kaufen :-)
LG Bine