Friday, June 8, 2012

Mission Improbable

I was talking about the upcoming wholesale trade show with Susie at Kollage Yarns earlier this week...
Susie: We just got a new yarn in to bring to the show. Of course, its too late to get any designs to go with it.
Me: Tell me about it.
Susie: I'ts a single ply bulky wool in pretty heathered colors.
Me: Put some in the mail to me. We've got two weeks. That's plenty of time to do a couple of accessory pieces. I'll come up with something.

So. I'm expecting a package in today's mail with 2 skeins each of 4 different colors of this yet-to-be-named yarn. I'll need to apply my needles and my skills to turn out three or four samples that can be displayed at the show starting 2 weeks from tomorrow.
Here's the thing - I live in California. We have no more than a couple of days each winter when bulky wool accessories are a good idea.  I don't even own a winter coat. And it's June. We're expecting temperatures in the 90's this weekend.
This is the perpetual designer's dilemma. We are always working out of season. Winter designs are knit in early summer; spring pieces are due in December.
I've decided to try some crowdsourcing.  I need fresh ideas for accessories made from bulky wool.  Other than a hat, what sorts of patterns would you like to see in this yarn?
Will you help? Please leave a comment here on the blog with your ideas. And to show my appreciation, here's what I'll do.  I'll use the random number generator to pick one of the comments. The winner will get this...
4 skeins (700 yds total) of Simply Socks Yarn Company's Simply Sock Yarn in a lovely handpainted semi-solid pale blue called Icicle. Be sure to include your e-mail address with the comment so I can let you know if you win. I won't use it for anything else - knitter's honor. You have until midnight Monday to get into the drawing for the prize, but if you are reading this entry after that time, it's not too late to add your ideas.

Watch for pictures of the final results. And thanks!

14 comments:

  1. Is it next to the skin soft? If it is, I'd go for a cowl.

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  2. Looks pretty, and texture soft and cuddly.

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  3. Beautiful color palette. I would say cowl as well - maybe one that crosses in front (i.e., very short scarf) rather than pulls over the head. Could have a coordinated muff or armwarmers.

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  4. I like the cowl idea. How about fingerless gloves? or a lacy scarf/shawl?

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    1. Hi Karen - You won! If you'll send me an e-mail with your mailing address, I'll get the yarn right out to you. The e-mail address is knittingworkshop@comcast.net
      Congratulations!

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  5. A cowl would be my first choice plus hat and mittens. A bit of lace in the cowl would let it be used in places that don't get super cold like here in Montana! Linda MTknitter on Ravelry

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  6. I would see a cowl, or a keyhole scarf, or a long scarf with stripes. Since I live in California too, it is thinking outside the climate!

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  7. I think a lot of people are drawn to smaller shawls worked in heavier yarns. They are fast to work up and they aren't too seasonally specific. A shrug is a good option for thicker yarn too. If it felts, you could make slippers.

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  8. My first thought was of a cowl as well, but slippers is a good idea as well. How about a vest?

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  9. I thought of fingerless mitts and a cowl also...slippers or bed socks would be great! Connie ~ tcrpm@sonic.net

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  10. Hats are always my first thought because I wear them all the time in the cooler months. I also love cowls, especially one that look good peeking out of coats or jackets. Have fun designing!
    skibum on Rav

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  11. I was thinking of snuggly slipper socks - not felted, maybe with a nice chunky cable detail. A quick and lovely gift.

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  12. My first thought is a cowl/short scarf, with a slip-the-end thru to avoid having to pull it over your head. Second thoughts - home decor and/or holiday pieces.

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    1. A bag of different sizes. One for carrying a small knitting project around with you (such as socks) make it a little larger for something a sweater/vest type project and then maybe a bag big enough for a large project or multiple projects.

      tbeads12@embarqmail.com

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