A Lovely Gift, Recycling, and A Creative Challenge…
Posted on | October 17, 2007 | 12 Comments
My dear Sis gave me an old store-bought hat that she no long wears for my frogging pleasure:
That in and of itself was a very kind and thoughtful thing to do (Thanks Sis!). But… It’s cashmere. It’s so soft. What a wonderful surprise for a knitter! I suspected when examining the hat that the yarn might be doubled. But look closely my friends:
It’s tripled. I don’t think Tess could possible imagine my excitement upon this discovery (which included a fair bit of squealing. And some bouncing around. As if I weren’t already excited enough!) That means the 190 yards of worsted that I unraveled is actually 570 yards of cashmere laceweight. Hmmm…. the wheels are turning… Hands, Shoulders or Feet? Oh the possibilities! Doubled at 380 yards would make a lovely cozy pair of bed socks, leaving 190 yard of laceweight, perfect for a petite lace scarf (like the airy scarf from LMKG?). Or all of it at laceweight would make such a decadent shawl! What would you do with it? And… To dye or not to dye? My inclination is not to dye, mostly because I’ve never done it before and I’m scared of ruining this lovely yarn with an unfortunate color rendered by inexperienced hands. Tell me your ideas!
A couple more photos, as I tried in vain to capture the cloud-like softness (and the color – which by the way, is most fairly represented in the hat pictures above – a slightly tweedy oatmeal):
P.P.S I suffered from ADD on the title for this one, because I can’t even tell you which part makes me the happiest – some of the softest yarn I can imagine? The fact that I’m re-using & repurposing it? Or the fun of deciding what to do with it?!
P.S. I made Tess a felted keychain from the remaining Foliage leaves to say thank you. Even though on it’s own it’s quite sweet, somehow it doesn’t seem like a fair exchange, now does it? I’m not quite sure what would be an appropriate reciprocation for this, although I know that’s not what she’s looking for. Sis, you are the greatest, and I’ll take any used knits off your hands anytime 
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12 Responses to “A Lovely Gift, Recycling, and A Creative Challenge…”
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October 17th, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
How wonderful! I’d side with “not to dye,” since cashmere is delicate. The keychain is fabulous and I’m sure will be more than enough reward!
October 17th, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
Don’t dye! It’s a beautiful natural color…luck you!
October 17th, 2007 @ 9:34 pm
Oh, I don’t know. I would be scared to dye but itching to do it at the same time. Such an awesome sister. I’m sure she’ll get handknits, if she hasn’t already…and that’s reciprocation in itself
October 17th, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
Oooh! This is beautiful. makes me want to head out thrifting to find something just as exciting. I’ve been reading for a few weeks now, and the decision to finally start my own blog is prompting my delurking. Foliage is on my list to make this fall as well…
October 17th, 2007 @ 10:59 pm
Sweet! I’d lean toward a cashmere teddy bear that you can snuggle every night. Mmmm, pet cashmere.
October 18th, 2007 @ 4:15 am
a shawl, a shawl!
you can’t take this lovely yarn and make something as plain as socks… it needs to be a beautiful accessory for everyone to see!
something to feel cozy around your neck and shoulders, something to cuddle up with…
but of course i’m prejudiced, having discovered a love for lace lately
October 18th, 2007 @ 7:17 am
That looks wonderful yarn, and triple the amout! Fab! I like the colour so I wouldn’t dye it.
October 18th, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
That kwey chain is a great idea!
What a lucky score on the cashmere. that will knit up into something just wonderful!
October 18th, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
The keychain is a great idea!
Regarding the cashmere, I wouldn’t dye it, and if there is enough, I think a shawl would be gorgeous made from it.
October 18th, 2007 @ 9:10 pm
Such a great recycle project and I can’t wait to see what you decide to do with it…your sister has to love the keychain you made for it…very cool!
October 19th, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
Oh my! Everything is wonderful, the hat/yarn, the repurposing, the keychain. You are an inspiration.
October 19th, 2007 @ 7:11 pm
what a windfall. everyone should have a sister like this.
i dye a lot but if this were mine i wouldn’t dye it. the present color is beautiful and goes with everything.
as for what to make i think your bed socks and scarf is a good idea. it sounds like you might have enough for a shrug. think how cozy a cashmere shrug would be.
the keychain is brilliant.