Wonderful Socks, Camping, Rain and Yarn

First of all, let me just say that the socks that I received from my sock exchange friend are wonderful!! Soft to the touch, beautiful colors, and simple, yet elegant knitting. The fit me perfectly. We are in an exchange that is organized through yahoo. I am working on socks based on the RPM pattern from Knitty.com and yarn from Cider Moon (www.cidermoon.com). I should have them done by the weekend and ready to send. I hope that she likes them! I tested the pattern variations on some socks for myself before starting the ones to exchange. The pattern uses a twist that moves clockwise. I varied the pattern to have the other sock go counterclockwise. The guage for the counterclockwise sock is looser. I think that it might be because of the way yarn is generally spun. I noticed with other twist-type patterns that the twist is usually done clockwise. I wonder if this is because of the same problem that I encountered? What do you think? Ever found this to be the case with your work? Anyway, I have never had anybody knit anything like this for me before. I was so touched.

Husband and I went camping this weekend in Door County, WI. Penninsula State Park to be exact. We took the ferry over to Washington Island and biked throughout the Island. We stopped at Sievers School of Fiber Arts. Every been there? It is worth the trip. I bought a book on finishing (really, really needed) and some size 000 and 00 dble point needles. About 2/3 of the way through the Island, the clouds started to darken. We had to peddle really fast to beat the rain. The heavens totally opened up! It rained while we were on the ferry going back to the mainland. Our campsite was soaked. But, it was a really nice weekend anyway. We were able to get away and spend some time together.

Here is my yarn dilemma. With the exception of sock yarn, I buy only enough yarn to complete a project. That is, I see a pattern that I like and then I look for yarn that would be suitable. I think that this is backwards. I suspect that I am limiting myself. Cost considerations aside (and yes, I really have to consider this), I would like to be able to buy based on color or texture or some combination of both. I would purchase enough for a standard sweater or shawl. I hope that maybe this way, I would expand my color and project options. I seem to always be limited by practical considerations. What do you think? What do you do?

One more thing about yarn. I save way to much of the left over stuff. 1/3 - 1/4 balls of yarn pretty much occupy my yarn stash. Nothing to really make into a project other than bags of ok combinations to felt for Christmas projects. I have got to weed my yarn. We are in the process of clearing out a room for me to work. I think that I will weed in tandem with the set-up. What do you do?

Speak with you soon. P.