We knit and sometimes that knitting morphs into something fabulous. I just finished a scarf that is beyond amazing…Vintage Velvet using Touch Me Due yarn, color Frate, by Muench. (They also sell regular Touch Me, which does not have a tonal quality.)
Before Felting
After Felting
This short video shows what happens to the yarn once it is felted following the pattern instructions:
I bought the yarn from Jimmy Beans at half price — still expensive, but worth it!! It looks like they still have a pretty decent color selection. The pattern calls for 5 skeins, but I used 8 and got a scarf the stated size! If I was to do it again, I think I would go with 7 and stretch it out more during blocking.
And what happened to all the people who wanted to hear about the retreat? Not a single comment! 🙁
Response to Suzan who asked how I felted the scarf (did I follow the pattern):
I just followed the pattern instructions and washed it once in hot water (in the machine) – in a zipped lingerie bag. I dried it in the dryer for a while, but it was still really damp. It took forever to dry, so every morning and every evening I would pop it back into the dryer for 15 minutes or so. It FINALLY dried! At that point I fluffed it in the dryer one more time. I don’t know that any of that was necessary!
I’m patiently waiting to hear about it!!! It may be something Linda and I want to come up for sometime. Love the scarf and I bet it feels so scrumptious on!
Comment by Penny — November 4, 2015 @ 9:01 pm
I acquired 8 balls of Touch Me at an LYS going out of business sale and have been looking for the right thing to do with it. This looks like the right thing. How did you felt it – putting it in a lingerie bag and running it through hot water as suggested in the pattern, or do you have some other tips to share with your readers?
Comment by suzan — November 4, 2015 @ 11:03 pm
Hmmm…that would be me, among others, wouldn’t it? First of all I loved that post. It was interesting and satisfied a lot of my curiosity about how it went. The pictures were particularly enjoyable. I loved the one looking down on the Great Room or lobby where some knitters were sitting. I could imagine myself sitting right there with them. This post left me with a very nice feeling. Don’t know why it didn’t prompt me to respond. Maybe sometimes something is complete as it is, and doesn’t feel like it requires a response, or maybe we were all so downright envious we didn’t want to sound whiny about it. Please don’t stop writing about your adventures. I for one, love them ALL, Susan and Sally. Even when I don’t comment.
[There was a glitch when I started writing this post, and it disappeared from the screen. Hope it didn’t get to you in its half-written state.]I
Comment by Chloe — November 4, 2015 @ 11:27 pm
Oh! Somehow I missed that last post. What a beautiful location! More details PLEASE!!!!!
Comment by Thea — November 5, 2015 @ 5:13 am
Sorry I didn’t ask for more info about the retreat. I really do want to hear about it and see more photos. Please, pretty please.
Comment by Bertha Mallard — November 5, 2015 @ 9:54 am
I have used the solid Touch Me for scarves and absolutely love it. Did not know about this tonal…going to check it out now.
Comment by Mary — November 5, 2015 @ 8:10 pm
The scarf looks so cool!
And,a belated thanks for the retreat report. It sounded wonderful and peaceful and restful. Did you have classes or just less structured knitting and Q/A time with the designers?
Comment by Susan — November 5, 2015 @ 8:28 pm
Oh I think I’m guilty of reading your blog and not always commenting – but…I Love, Love, Love your blog and you two could write about anything and I would love to read it. I know I don’t always tell you but I am In. Complete. Awe. of your knitting abilities. Sometimes you write about things you knit and changes you make and I dont always get it, but you both are such an inspiration! Thanks for sharing your talent with us – so very generous of you.
Comment by Barb R. — November 5, 2015 @ 8:28 pm
Your Vintage Velvet inspired me to pull mine out and add it my Rav project page *and* to buy more of that luscious yarn for another — at 50% off. JWB should thank you! I consider my VV to be one of few FOs that completely lived up to my hopes. Also, learned the neat trick of reversible cables in the process.
Do tell more about the retreat. Greedily interested, but trying not to be obnoxious about it. 😀
Comment by CreeksideKnitter — November 5, 2015 @ 11:51 pm
I’m originally from Wisconsin so retreats “in the area” are always of interest. I imagine a combo trip of visiting with family and fitting in a knitting adventure someday. I have a dear gaggle of knitting friends and we concoct our own retreat each fall, but his year we decided to join in and head to KNITEAST in St. Andrews By The Sea in New Brunswick, Canada. I think it may have been the same weekend you were on your retreat. We had a ball. I’m glad you two enjoyed your adventure too!
I enjoy your blog very much. I seldom comment, but I always read it! Thank you!
Comment by Cheryl — November 6, 2015 @ 9:09 am
I need you in Illinois.
Comment by Kathy — November 8, 2015 @ 4:13 pm
I want to hear or read…I do, I do!
Comment by diana wessel — November 11, 2015 @ 7:28 pm