Ask the Yarnista
Friday, May 13, 2011 at 1:13PM Today is Friday the 13th.
That means it's Ask the Yarnista day.
Why? I don't know. It just is.
It is because I decided it should be about 30 seconds ago.
I used to do a monthly feature called The Yarnista Answers Your Questions, and I'm in the mood to start again.
Leave a question in the comments here, and I'll do my best to answer it.
Here's one to start us off:
Hi Sharon,
I have a question, and I'm hoping you can help me. My wife loves your yarn, and has a large collection of it. I want to get her a little something for her birthday coming up, but don't know which color to choose. Can you make any recommendations based on my wife's order history? She wears a lot of black, but I don't know how that translates into yarn.
Thanks for the help.
P.S. Thanks to you, terms like "merino" "kettle dyed" and "yarnista" are regular topics of conversation at our house. Just thought you'd like to know.
And here's my response. I've removed any name hints so the sender's wife can be truly surprised.
Hello,
Thanks for your email. I know and love your wife, and can certainly steer you to some colorway options she might enjoy.
I then inserted colorway/yarn information here. No hints, I don't want to spoil the surprise.
I'm sorry you have to talk about yarn at dinner all the time.
Wait, I'm not sorry.
Talking about kettle dyeing is perhaps bit fluffy, but there are far worse conversations one could have over a meal. The dog is sick, for example, or my crazy relative is coming to live with us indefinitely. Honey, I've gambled my retirement money away, or I keep forgetting to tell you, but the basement has a foot of standing water. I accidentally broke all your fishing rods, or the very nice IRS agent stopped by and said the house looks like we've done a lot of work on it.
All in all, merino wool is a fairly innocuous, mildly pleasant topic in a frenetic world fraught with peril. As for conversations regarding yarnistas, I'm afraid I am of little assistance in that regard.
Let me know if you need anything else.
Sharon
Your turn! What's weighing on your mind? It certainly does not have to be knitting/yarn related (although it can be). If you're wondering why Oreo cookies are so delicious, for example, I might be able to help you there.
If I don't get to your question today, I'll try and answer it in a future installment.
P.S. Doing a bunch of Carpe Yarnem stockings this weekend. Check here regularly for updates.
Reader Comments (31)
Dear Yarnista,
You graciously answered my coffee question via Twitter earlier this week. My eyes are not burning, so I have not reached saturation, and it is time to drink more.
Here's my next question, if I may: Why hasn't HBO done a mini-series for each president of the U.S.??
When is the next installment of "how it all began" going to arrive?
Dear Yarnista,
My eyes are blue/gray. I love all things blue. I am thinking about knitting a skirt. How long should the skirt be? (I'm 5'0" tall) What base of yarn is best for summer and skirts? What color should I knit the skirt in to match most of my wardrobe?
Hi Sharon,
Do you know when your new spring colorway collection will be launching? I'm sure it's absolutely gorgeous, and I can't wait to see it! Thank you for creating such beautiful yarn!
Dear Yarnista,
Why are your children so beautiful and brilliant?
Amy, good question. The answer is quite simple: I am not the director of programming at HBO.
Deanna, another good question! The next chapter is a bit harder to write, from a personal and storytelling standpoint. I'm writing a draft of it this weekend.
Audrey, I would recommend Kells for a skirt. The resulting fabric would drape nicely but not be so thick you can't wear it during the summer. I would probably opt for a medium blue shade, like Rhys, which takes on a denim-like appearance when knit. You could then wear it with any shirt and shoes you wanted, because it reads like a neutral. I would aim to have the skirt end between the top of you knee to the middle of the kneecap. That's a flattering length for most people -- since you're on the petite side, you want to avoid going too long, or it makes your legs look short.
Claire, the spring colorway collection is done and will be launching shortly! We're working on getting some of it out to retailers, and will then display everything on the site. I'm excited about it!
Yarnista's Mama, the answer is that my children are beautiful and brilliant because you are their grandmother. :)
Hi yarnista!
I am going to be in Minneapolis this summer visiting my in-laws and going to the State Fair -- which we love! I have 2 questions -- 1. will you be at the fair? i have seen other yarn companies there in the past years...
and
2. is it possible to come visit your studio to see how you do your magic? my mother-in-law is also a knitter and thought it could be fun! do you ever do anything like that?
thanks!!!
April
Sharon, How on earth did you survive being a Yarnista, a momma, and a teacher? I would love to learn how you do it so I can find better balance in my life.
Also, when will you be nearby? (I live at the Illinois/Wisconsin border. Far enough to Milwaukee and Chicago to be a sizable hike)
How does one get a job of working with you? That would be my dream job to dye and play with yarn all day!!!
hi sharon!
i am very intrigued by the process of dyeing yarn and i'm interested in giving it a try, in an amateur way, of course (at least at first!). so my question is, do you have any advice for a novice yarn-dyer? particular yarns/dyes/techniques that are best to start with, etc? any books or websites you think are particularly good resources? i suppose this counts as several questions, but any info would be helpful for a newbie like me...
thanks, and i love your yarn!
leah
Dear Sharon,
Do you need a lovely (or at least really nice and trustworthy) assistant in your class or your booth for Sock Summit? I've got an especially light schedule on Saturday and would love to help!
On other important matters, what do you feed big horse dog? :)
a while ago I purchased some hand dyed yarn, unfortunately not yours, all went well until I blocked it - it now has a awful iodine smell ( barely there when dry) I 've tried everything, washing, vinegar contacting the person who dies it (Its only wet woll smell give it time - like I don't know wet wool) any ideas?
What is your favorite knitting bag and why?
Is there a way to get some Greener Pastures without actually joining the yarn of the month club? As much as I would LOVE to join, I'm on a Strictly Student Loans budget.
You once stated you livid in Germany for 2 years. Where you born there? How old where you,old enough to remember? Fond memories? Do you speak German? :)
April, how fun! I hope you love the State Fair. I may go, but not as a vendor. I'd rather wander around eating cheese curds and taking my kids on rides.
In terms of visiting the studio -- we do have tours a couple of times a year, and we may be able to show you around after business hours, depending on the schedule. Drop us a line. :)