So pretty! May you have many happy hours with your new jacket.

There is no frakking way I'm first.

Either way, I love it. It's absolutely perfect for you.

Cannot wait to see it finished.

Here's fingers crossed that the 'Good things come to those who wait' is aligned in my system too.

Will know more in two weeks.

Beautiful yarn!

Ah, the love between a knitter and that special yarn. I checked the pattern at Fleece Artist and came very close to falling for the Celtic one.

Looking forward to seeing you at Borders in Baileys Crossroad on Sept. 20th. I'm driving all the way from North Carolina.

Ok- not fair! I want one too! Mine would have brighter colors, but that is a freaking KILLER pattern! Why must you do this to us?

Yes, yes, yes! I know exactly how that green/brown thing is. Not too bright not too muddy. Nothing garrish . . .Perfecto! Hmm . . . I wonder if there are more?

Ooohhh - I have one of these in blue/purple somewhere...

Hooray! I love it when the perfect color finds its way to a loving knitter.

It's a knitting miracle! Just goes to show that patience pays off..

Me too. Both jackets. Waiting for my perfect colorway(s). Someday...and in the meantime, I will live vicariously through you finding yours. Congratulations!!

You almost got me. I was just about to throw caution to the winds and commit to knitting my first sweater --really, I was thisclose. We're having our first day of below 90 degree weather here --a veritable cold front came through --and I could almost picture myself in that sweater.

Until I realized that due to the Summer of Inadvertent Inactivity, I'm too fat to wear a bulky sweater like that. I'd look exactly like one of those 70's appliances.

Back to socks. --Barb

I would not make the jacket. I would just cuddle the yarn, forever dreaming about the perfection of the jacket as I had imagined it.

Because doubtless if I actually made it, something would end up pissing me off.

It's great that your patience has paid off. And thank you for reminding me I have one of those kits hiding somewhere in my yarn closet. Happy Knitting.

OOoooohhhh .... yes, yes, YES!!!! Oh baby! *%#@ YES!!!

(Just imagining what you might have sounded like at that moment).

That really is a 'stars aligning' sort of moment, isn't it? (Now I just need one of those to happen so I can find a sweater it won't take me 3 million years to knit and a day to wreck when I wash it...)

Ooooh-that is going to look great on you! Good for you-you kept looking and got the reward.
So. What else didja get???

I've been coveting this jacket too. I fondle the various colourways that Linda (Linda's Craftique) brings to the various shows and am just waiting for 'the right one' to be there. sigh I'm glad that you've found your skein, I know that mine is out there somewhere!

It was a beautiful moment. Truly. Three cheers for Emma's sharp eyes!

Thanks for almost shorting out my computer - did you know that drooling on the keyboard is really, really bad for it?

Love those moments when the waiting becomes worth it!

i'm so happy that you had your moment, and that the perfect colourway for the perfect jacket is now in your hands. i've been knee deep in fleece artist/handmaiden goodness for over a week now (at a local yarn shop). it's just too good, isn't it?

Oh honey, you KNOW the Knitting Goddess was smiling on you last Saturday...she had to throw in the credit card snafu just to remind you who's really in charge here.

There's nothing like a yarn o----m! Enjoy...

Cheers, Barbie O.

Ooh, it's so pretty! And it will look beautiful on you! Good luck with the finishing of the book...we all can't wait to hear what it's about! =)

Oh my shattered nerves ! That yarn is glorious and such perfect colours for you . Strange how you just know it's the right one only when you actually see it eh ? I think the darn stuff talks to us when it's the right one . Did you hear any little voices from it or is that just stress screaming at you ? Nevertheless it's going to be absolutely beautiful and I hope we get a picture of you wearing it.

PS - Ray says he's going to see you on the 18th. Wouldn't that be the Houston event, not the Atlanta one?

oh wow - that is just gorgeous!!! I can't wait to see it knitted up - and of course it will be super fast too because you're just that good ;) Congratulations on the perfect kit!!!
:)

Some wonderful days, the universe (oops -- that's probably capital-U Universe) is just looking out for you.

I love those days. And good for you.

How lovely! Definitely a colorway worth waiting for.

So I followed the link to Sandra's blog, and her description was pretty much an exact duplicate of what happened when I went yarn shopping with the two of you.

"Need Factor"...snort.

That is so pretty - the colors remind me of early spring in the woods.

That is one nice jacket you'll have soon! I'll have to bookmark the Fair site for next year. I shouldn't, but it is within reason for a day trip.

It WAS gorgeous. Enjoy the knitting of it.

I used to have some of those appliances back in the day, and know those lovely colors well. Congratulations on your new, beautiful sweater kit. May you have many joyful moments knitting your perfectly colored sweater. I have a fiber festival to go to this weekend and may find some of my perfectly colored items, too! If I'm very lucky!!!

That is a gorgeous jacket! I think you've given me the wants. Enjoy!

That last picture? You can actually feel the yarn in that one. I may have drooled.

Mind if I accidentally sort of maybe borrow the jacket and "forget" to give it back?

Congratulations on your moment of knitting nirvana! When I was a kid (in the 70's), our kitchen had turquoise formica counters, avocado green appliances, and a brown linoleum floor. Somehow those colors work so much better in mohair than they did in our kitchen.

Doing the happy dance for the Harlot! Don'tcha just love it when the stars finally get their act together in your favor? I love the little curlies in the yarn! Scrumptious!

So beautiful. That colourway would be on the top of my list as well.

I've gone to LK Yarns a few times looking for the perfect Lady of the Lake kit (as I am totally in love with it as well.) I found it a couple of times, but alas, the financial gods were not with me then.

I am happy you and your colourway found each other and I wish a very long and love filled relationship - especially everytime you put her on. :)

What a pleasant surprise to see that you've found what you've been searching for. Not sure if you remember, but on our Book Tour trip in the Adirondacks with Pam & Maggie I purchased the Garter Stitch Jacket. If I remember correctly you encouraged me. My is in the blue colorway. Love it. Enjoy every stitch!

Your patience is overwhelming. Such faith for someone not religious. A lesser woman would have settled.

I wish you many happy hours with your destiny.

I can see how those would be your perfect colors. Enjoy, but do be a bit careful as you write and knit. Frogging doesn't look like it would be a quick dip in the pond with that yarn.

Ray is in Houston

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh... how awesome! I felt that great feeling right along with you. Many happy days of knitting, and please post a picture of the finished product... it's gorgeous.

Speaking of finishing the book, last night I dreamt I was sitting (and knitting) with you (despite having never shared two non-virtual words with you) and I was trying - desperately - to get you to spill the beans on the contents of this alleged "new book", but all I could get from you was an enigmatic Mona Lisa smile when I asked, "Please, please, is it fiction??"

Just a thought.

Ahh, kismet.

Isn't it lovely when that happens? Like finding the right man: you know him when you meet him, your eyes meet across a crowded (oddly smokey) railway platform (sometime in 1940's) and you can tell that your souls are meant to be together...

Only with yarn it can happen over and over again with lots of exciting and different ones and nobody calls you a slut.

The yarn is so you!

"Only with yarn it can happen over and over again with lots of exciting and different ones and nobody calls you a slut."

They call you a Harlot instead...

Smiles

I have the same kit but in the greens. I'm in love with it, but I promised it away a couple of years ago when I made someone stand in the parking lot of the Lake Placid yarn shop holding 2 melting ice cream cones and the dog's leash while I went on a bit of a bender. I've been putting off finishing it so that it won't leave me.

Your yarn sounds earthy and luscious. It looks like the woodlands of my dreams. And thank you for the links to those gorgeous jacket patterns. Opportunities like these are always appreciated.

Stephanie--------I am so disappointed that I will not be able to see you in LA on 9/15. By the time I got the correct info the seats were all taken. Who knew that the library had a FOUNDATION. I had called both the public libraries and the county ones, but NO ONE had the info. I have waited a year for this and told my family and friends not to plan anything on 9/15. When I finally got the right connect the lady said there is a wait list of over two pages and they could not convince the powers that be to hold you over for one more day to accomodate everyone. (Do you know how big that hall is???) I know this is not your fault and if the stars aline just so, there will be another time. I wish you well and as they say in Hollywood-----go break a leg!!!!!!! Wish you the best. Claudia

I'm jealous. No Fleece Artist kits to root through around here. Only at shows (though if my luck matches yours, maybe I'll find one at a show later this month). Meanwhile,

1. What is it with you and appliances? (Do you just miss the '70s colors because the new stove is all sleek black-and-chrome modern?) I think that colorway is gorgeous, but I wouldn't have thought of '70s appliances. Way to subtle. Not a harvest gold or avocado green in there. More like damp earth and sea foam.

2. Glad you wound the mohair before finding out about the credit card snafu. Looks like fun!

Ooooh...I'm loving that green. Glad to hear the planets aligned, the moon was in it's Seventh House and the wind was doing the hokey-pokey so that you could finally find "The ONE". I'm also glad that stupid credit card difficulties didn't mar the experience. Just think, what if they were able to do a regular swipe on your card and it was refused?!?? You just know that "The ONE" would have gone flouncing off with someone else and you never would have found another.

It was Emma. I saw it after the fact. Over and over. You showed it to everyone. And I swear if you had pulled it out of your bag one more time, I would have grabbed it, becausee, it is one of a kind, and damn! I want it, too.
Now I will have to go on a hunt for it's twin...

Bien fate!

That is, indeed, the perfect balance of not-too-bright green with slight hues of browns--like a forest in the spring. Nice. Very nice.
I can see, after looking at the color combinations available on-line for the kits, why it was so hard to find what you had in mind.
So, finish the book already so you can get started on the jacket!

THANKS! After trying several options that didn't pan out, I've already called the organizer at Twisted Yarn, and Eve said they already had plenty of volunteers who can cover the Charity Hat Collections. Collecting the hats and distributing them is far more important than the person standing behind the table, anyway, so I would encourage any and all to bring hats for charity -- the locally designated charities include M.D. Anderson, Childrens Hospital, as well as the Ships Project. Even though I won't be there, I'm sending up a lonely skein of Merino Lace weight yarn to be given as one of the door prizes (maybe for the person bringing the most hats??), so I'll be there in spirit. Thanks for posting my need, Steph! I appreciate it. Next time you come to town, we'll have to find you a venue more central to the metro area. :-)
Thanks, Steph!

wow. the power of willpower/karma. good stuff. It looks huggable. congrats.

Y'all, Ray is in Houston ... if one of you could give him a ride he would be sooooo appreciative!

Steph, so glad the moon was in the 7th House and all so your perfect colorway would turn up. That's an awesome jacket and me, I'm looking for shades of midnight blue and deep ocean hues ....

P.S. ... I am still willing to give you the quickie New Orleans tour, cook vegan okra gumbo and be the hat person for the New Orleans event.

My dear Harlotta...I do NOT see any Frigidairelikeness in the yarn. No Brick Red (tiles), Avocado green, Harvest Gold or the lingering turquoise/aquamarine-ness that were all of my mother's appliances (and flooring) It is delightful, delicious and delovely. I am glad it finally found you.
Bring it to Virginia...I need to see where the comparison lies. I really do.

Those colors are truly lovely. And look soft and cozy.

And no one will argue with you that THIS sweater is green!

Saw the LA event on 9/15 - too bad you can't come up to Boonville for the weekend - it's the annual California Fiber and Wool Festival! (oh, and did I mention, Boonville is the home of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company?)

http://www.fiberfestival.com/Fiber%20Festival/Home.html

I think a side-trip to Northern California would be required to get those awesome socks ...

Next time, I'm going to have to make you work harder.

I just had a $eriou$ accident over at Fleece Artist. All I did was click on your link and suddenly, I have yarn coming. I can't even blame yarn fumes. I didn't even morph into a Harlot Groupie and buy the same thing (I, uhm, all ready made that in an onyx colorway, iirc. It is scrumptious and I adore the yarn.) If you must know, I bought a sock yarn. And it is nowhere near the cardigans.

Resistance is Futile.

Ooh--I love that colorway! I'm knitting a Lady of the Lake right now (it's a "brick" color) and it is the easiest project in the world. I can't wait to see your jacket completed. Enjoy!

Pretty yarn. It looks so soft and has such a loverly sheen. I'm looking forward to seeing your finished jacket.

Lucky you! It's a great kit and such a pleasure to knit.

I knit that jacket last fall, but I modified it to cover my wider girth by making it a v-neck and putting a co-ordinating cable border all around it. I call it my Regal Jacket and I love it. It's one of the best things I've ever knit.

http://issueswithknitting.blogspot.com/2006/10/giving-thanks.html

Wow! What a beautiful colorway! You're right. Waiting did pay off! I love the way it looks in the yarn cake. So pretty...

Now I want one. ;)

Totally rockin' colorway. Gives me hope for finding one for myself as they are the perfect colors for a crazy redhead knitter. :)

One word : Dreamy!

For a moment, I tried to reach through my screen to touch that loveliness...dang technology! When will they finally find a way to accomodate the knitter's need for a tactile interface? Hmm?

I have no idea what I'm talking about. Except that it's beautiful, beautiful fibre. Congratulations! I hope I can be as patient when my time comes!

Funny, I've been admiring that kit for some time, too, but haven't seen it in a color that just called my name.

LOVE the appliance colors. Oh, I too know the power of that kit. Rather, the Lady of the Lake one, but same difference practically. Just got it at Stitches West and am fighting a cast-on itch now. But darn it, if I can knit along with you, I may just do it anyway. (Mine is an all-browns colorway, seemingly like the browns in yours.) Now, before I sound like a groupie...and whether that's a groupie of yours or of the Fleece Artist or both...yes, I go now. :)

wow. it's beautiful. i have a thing for retro kitchen colors too. can't wait to see how this turns out.

I was waiting for some other twist of fate like, "and then a bird swooped by and snatched it from me", or "just as my fingertips touched the kit, some mean horrible knitter grabbed it and paid for it with a working credit card and ran, never to be seen again"... Glad to hear none of that happened though.

OOOH soooo pretty. I don't think I would call them 70's appliance colours though. At least not on my computer. They look softer and not so....um well, apliancey....

I can't wear mohair. Cant hardly touch it without itchy hives breaking out around my neck and arms. Same with angora. I love it though. So pretty so light so deadly for me. Could it be done in a nice lite silk blend?

Nope, won't shoot you--I also detest orange. It's second only to yellow in my book of colors that will not enter my house ever. (Notable exceptions to my yellow phobia include sunflowers, lemons, spring daffodils, etc.)

I love the garter stitch jacket... I'm making one for myself in blue/purple... of course, like every project I start for myself, its a year on the needles and 1/2 done... one of these days...

Congratulations on finding such a beautiful colourway! It's so beautiful. Good luck with the sweater!

How fabulous! I love those moments, clutching the most fantastic yarn knowing all is right with the world;)

Oh, man...the glow in that last picture... Congratulations, how wonderful you finally found The One! You are *so* going to love knitting it after all these years. And I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one wanting to climb through the screen to touch it. ;)

I've got a similar project, although I have no idea of the pattern yet. But 20+ years ago I found this yarn that insisted I buy it...last spring I found some that would go with...then I checked out Mystical Creations Yarn and found *more* that was a variation on the same colorways. I have no idea what it'll be, or what I'll get to strand with it (definitely needs to be stranded)--but I've got the base yarns, finally enough for a sweater; and whoo, whatever-it-is will be gorgeous when I get it done!

Hopefully done before another 20 years have passed, that is. [g] Enjoy the end of your long wait!

What a lovely colourway! It's a perfect balance of greens that are cool and not too garish and browns that are as smooth as the best chocolates. It's so good to know that there are others who refuse to knit with yarn that isn't just right. Keep on with your high standards!

I wish I could help Ray out, but unless he's in Galveston, or somewhere south of Houston, I'm useless. But could you help someone out with a skein of BMFA sock candy by any chance?? My knitty friend is wool-intolerant and I can't track the stuff down outside of a tube sock kit to save my life. I'd gladly trade/pay for it! :D

The description of your moment of discovery read like a romantic scene from an Austen or Bronte novel... did anyone need to fetch smelling salts as you felt a swoon? :)
I love that it went from a lovely description of serendipity to praise of the colors of 70s appliances, which most consider to be completely unlovely but which together are clearly quite lovely. Then again, I'm certain that The Fleece Artist could start doing colorways called "Cat Yak", "Leftovers From Last Month In The Back Of The Fridge" and "Baby Bottom" and they'd still be gorgeous. :)

Ah, the Fleece Artist kits. I got an Imogen Kit in Victoria--I completely and utterly understand the chest-clutching. When the colorways are perfect, they are irresistable.

Oh, I LOVE this sweater! What an enabler the Yarn Harlot is! I think that I will book mark the site, and put this on my list of future knits! And your perfect color way will look beautiful in this jacket...can't wait to see the pictures!

It's always wonderful when you run into that one special yarn and know that you and the yarn were simply made for each other.

I'm glad you had a happy and great time at the fair, even though you took a non-working credit card!!

I didn't have to crawl through the screen to pet the yarn. Instead, I petted the hood I knit myself last week, out of a similar mohair boucle. You wouldn't like it-- it's pink and brown. We'd make good shopping buddies-- we'd never fight over the same colorway.

Who knew that saving oneself for the right yarn could be so satisfying? Congratulations on your coup. At the risk of being obnoxious (the older I get, the more I risk), I am going to point out a spelling error, and it is the only one I would ever point out: it's "dyeing," not "dying." Now I know that you know this, but I'm superstitious, and it seems like bad luck. We most definitely do not want The Fleece Artist dying just yet.

Oooh, that is lovely scrumptious yarn. Its a bit 70's appliance colour but much prettier. Now here is my advice to you. If you're knitting outside, like I like to do, take it back in the house when you go in to get more coffee. Because that squirrel (you know which one) is no doubt lurking around waiting to get his mitts on some perfect winter nesting material. He'd probably just pull the needles out and be on his way with the stuff.

your fleece colours are very similar if not the same as my handyed Moorit Corridale x English Leicester fleece that im currently spinning up :)

I love my Garter stitch Jacket kit - although mine I knit stockinette, with fitted sleeves, shortrow shaping.... bright blue, caramel, burgundy....
http://www.betseydoodle.ca/?attachment_id=110

It's light, spongy, and really warm - and your right, something excellent to throw over a tee for that little extra something.

That's very pretty--I can't wait to see it all knitted up. :-)

Hey--that comes very very close to my perfect colorway. And now I have the Celtic Cardigan to obsess about, darn it.

You were bound to find something you liked at the fair. It was my first time to the knitter's fair and it was amazing! Next year I go with a plan.

Wonderful colors! A serendipity jacket!

This is my first time commenting. I am such a lurker! But I read you all the time.
I love the yarn you picked for the jacket! Can't wait to see it knit up!

I should have waited - you could have explained! I made this last year for my mom and was really stuck on the underarms - gussets? But i made something up and it is glorious. Light and luscious. Very fun to knit. ENJOY!

Ohh Stephanie, I'm so happy for you! I know that feeling well. The "quest" for something you really want with particular specifications is just one of those kismet things in life. It was, obviously, your day. You have to wonder though, would you have seen it if one of your companions hadn't pointed it out. . . or was that person sent (kharmically speaking--I spelled that wrong) to aid you in your search? Congrats! I'm sure you'll love the jacket when it's done. It's beautiful!

Oh, I SO know that feeling. I am looking for the perfect self-striping yarn. I'm not sure what I'll knit from it, but I WILL know once I find it.
Congratulations on your find. You know you'll treasure it forever!

'70s appliance color kit' - ha! That stuff is way too beautiful to be tagged with that description. Revel in your comfy, cozy, cushy garter-stitch happiness!

Gorgeous!

I'm blaming Mr. Washie in the basement. His presence is responsible for your color choices. Or else you're rebelling against the new (non-70's) stove by waxing nostalgic, as a friend says, for the good old days and their colors.

I am not going to go look at the site. I have so much yarn that I have to hold a stash reduction sale next week. I want to move to a new job and home by next year, and there's no way I'm going to be able to knit all this yarn up in a year. And I can't afford a separate moving van for the stash. Although King Arthur fanatic that I am, the mention of a Lady of the Lake sweater . . . damn, I'm doomed - and off to visit the site.

You are an evil, evil person and a total enabler. I just found Colorsong from this post. My credit card is starting to wail helplessly. And I want one of those jackets too - they're gorgeous. Hmm. I may have to provide the URL to my husband - my birthday's not *that* far away. Hmmm.

That looks like a lot of fun! The colors remind me of the colors I used when making Lorelei a few weeks ago. Though I think I had more darker brown and, wel, no beige. Of course, I would love something like that with blues... lots of blues.

I'm so happy for you! That is a yummy colorway, I must agree.

I know all about the 'have faith and it will happen' thing - for years I wanted a piano, but couldn't begin to afford it, but I knew that someday it would come to me, and it did! A perfectly LOVELY vintage schoolroom spinet (1923), in well-nigh perfect condition, and all I had to do was move it from its old home to mine.

All I can say is KEEP THE FAITH!

Oooo Ooooo Ooooo, now I want one too, so pretty, luscious yarn, I need, I want, I obsess. And the thrummed mittens...(sigh)

The yarn looks fantastic and the Snowdrop Shawl pattern you offered intreging. I did my first pi shawl this past winter and I am hooked on knitting lace! Usually I just do baby and children's sweaters for a shop in Cooperstown, NY. Lace is such a big change from doing stockingknit that I find it almost relaxing! This will be one of my off-season projects!

What a wonderful story - I'm tickled you found the perfect colors. The Lady of The Lake closing style is classy too. I'm working on my first sweater/jacket and I'm pretty dern happy about it - thank you for always supplying inspiration.

I've felt that way before too. I decided very last minute before I got to Kitchener that I NEEDED a skein of Handmaiden Sea Silk. I didn't know how much it would cost, or the colours available. I rarely knit for myself, and rarely buy 'nice' yarns. In one of the booths of the first row we did, I found a bin of Sea Silk fingering weight, and my heart melted at the most demure blush/gold combination. I held it up to my face, and was almost in tears it was so perfect. There was another skein of dark black/blue/purple that almost got me too, but my friend suggested I make a nightie for my upcoming anniversary cruise with the blush skein! I held it while I paid, and I didn't even put it in the back until we got to another booth. The gods were even so nice to me that I got it at the cheapest booth at the show! Every time I touch it, I swoon. I think I want to leave my husband home and just take it on the cruise with me.
Camilla Valley Farm is one of my LYS! Nina is fabulous, and Tobi was helping her on Saturday, and is also a great gal!

Y'know, since you make your living by means of yarn, one way or another, don't you think you could list your wool purchases as legitimate business expenses on your income tax? Would the Canadian tax guys buy that? It solves so many problems.....

1) I am really deeply sorry that you showed me that Lady of the Lake jacket. Really, really sorry.
2) I once painted my kitchen that exact 1930s kitchen appliance shade of green.

That jacket is gorgeous! I hope I see in-progress pictures soon.

Bailey's Crossroads Borders knows it will be "a big event" I was told to call again closer to time to see if they will do tickets. Are you doing hats there? Do you need a hat person? I cast one on just in case.

Thanks!

Enabling is so much easier when the right colour is already on the rack... I'm glad you're enjoying it! :)

What a fairy tale ending! Love it!

Now dear Yarn Harlot is a strange tangentially-related-to-knitting question for you. Is Kitchener, ON, Canada in any way related to the famed - or infamous - Kitchener stitch? Just curious.

Darned lack of money and transportation!!!!! (bangs head against the nearest brick wall) So jealous!!! Darn you, Harlot!!!!

I don't even wear those colors and I think it's gorgeous! YEAH!!! I'm so glad your "colors came up!"
(((hugs)))

congratulations on finally finding the perfect colored kit for the jacket pattern. I can't tell you how much I admire your restraint. I try to wait like that for something and always seem to give up and buy that almost right kit or yarn only to find the right one a week or month later and slap myself on the forehead for not being more patient.

I also dislike greens that are too cheerful and orange has ruined most colorways for me as well.

I have never been to a yarn festival but plan to go to my first one next month somewhere in upstate NY.

Gorgeous colourway - so clever of you to wait. I would have bought whatever was closest and not have been satisfied.

I have so much to learn.

What part of Houston is Ray in? I'm coming in from Bryan/College Station and would normally go to Spring without going into Houston. If I didn't have to work, I'd be able to come in early and have enough time to battle the traffic.

Also, have you asked the ladies at Twisted Yarns? Eve and Shelley are really nice, and they might know someone from Ray's part of town who's already coming.

Looking forward to Tuesday. Best wishes for a safe trip.