It used to be that when March Break came along I'd swing into high gear. (For my American friends "March Break" is our equivalent to "Spring Break" except for we don't call it that on account of there's a decent chance you'll spend it shovelling snow. There's an equal chance that you'll be able to forgo the mittens, this time of year is ridiculously unpredictable.) I don't know what all kids are like, but I can tell you that my children had an agenda - or maybe it was really just a commitment, to having the world in absolute chaos all around them. I always found that their natural inclination towards disorder could only be met with an equal measure of order if we were going to get through the March Break together without me locking myself in the loo for a four hour bath made entirely of my tears. Planning, structure, things to do. That was the whole way I pulled that holiday off, year after year. I was a pretty orderly mum to start with, but if you're going to lock a load of winter weary people together for days of crap weather, then you better start with a schedule of events, a strict bedtime and a cookie cutter collection that includes a few dinosaurs and maybe a moose. Toss in there my secondary rule, which is that only crazy people go to the ROM during the break and we all got through it smiling.
I woke up this morning and instantly reacted. It's day one of March Break, I thought, and the part of my brain responsible for self-defence screamed "WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?" It was a few conditioned minutes of panic before I remembered that Sam's taking off today for five days with Yvonne, and that means... well. It means that for the very first time, I am not responsible for any part of a March Break plan. My contribution has been dwindling for years as the girls have grown and gone, but still... the idea shook me, and I'm still not down with it - it feels like the whole week could come unglued any minute now, because I don't have the thing laid out like a high school science project.
I'm going to stick with the spin-a-thon. I plied the funky batt singles together, and I love the yarn I got. I'm enchanted by the shifting colours and the way that they play against each other. 
Isn't it a lovely thing? It's funny to me that these batts are consistently my favourite thing to spin, and make yarn that's my all time favourite to look at, and frankly, my least favourite thing to knit - I'm always at a loss for what they intend to become, beyond enchanting yarn. They seem finished as soon as I'm done spinning. 
This batt made about 160m of a soft sport weight yarn, and as much as I love it, I have no plan for it at all. More mittens? A little hat? A tiny scarf? 
What to do... what to do. I'll be spinning while I think it over. That's my whole March Break plan. For those of you who still need the focus of a ninja to get through this week, may the force be with you.
i never got the whole, I'm first thing until this very moment when I think I hit it! It is like i am psychicly (sp?) connected to the Yarn Harlot. Be still my heart. That yarn is gorgeous!!
Posted by: Carol at March 11, 2013 2:55 PMScarves, shawl, mobius!
Posted by: Adele in N. Minn. at March 11, 2013 2:57 PMGorgeous yarn! Why not have a giveaway (ahem); couple it with a donation drive for Doctors Without Borders, perhaps?
Posted by: Sandra at March 11, 2013 3:02 PMTry using it as an accent yarn in a handwoven scarf/shawl/blanket. A few threads here and there with something a little less vivid as the ground.
Posted by: Dita at March 11, 2013 3:03 PMSpin one or two more complementary batts and knit them all into something bigger with stripes! ^_^ It makes me happy just thinking about it!
Posted by: KathyC at March 11, 2013 3:06 PMThat looks like weaving yarn to me. It looks like it wants to be a woven scarf. It doesn't look like knitting much.
Posted by: Roby at March 11, 2013 3:07 PMI love to make funky little baby bolero style sweaters with this kind of thing--very simple, for a newborn, with one big button that sort of anchors the colors in some way. The yarn could also be used as one of a set of solids for a striped something or another. Or you could give it to one of your friends who does love to knit this kind of thing. A gift of handspun? It would be an amazing thing to get! Lovely stuff. Stephanie.
Posted by: JodyO at March 11, 2013 3:08 PMYUM1
Posted by: Friday's Mom at March 11, 2013 3:08 PMI meant YUM!
Posted by: Friday's Mom at March 11, 2013 3:09 PMI agree with Dita, above. Whether knitting or weaving, I love to use a solid, muggle yarn to highlight the magicosity of something really special.
Posted by: Elizabet at March 11, 2013 3:10 PMGorgeous yarn - but I'm not very good at planning what to do, I just like to look at it!! And, I'm with you about March break - this is the first one without any kidlets to play with/keep occupied - they are both away at university (sigh)
Posted by: Joan at March 11, 2013 3:15 PMa decorative addition to a lovely small-person-of-your-choice sweater! Or if there is enough, one for you! So lovely....
Posted by: Holly at March 11, 2013 3:16 PMI'm starting to feel nostalgic. It's either that or aphasic. Is it that time of year again? The time where you spin a beautiful batt into lovely singles and I sit here wondering why you don't Navajo/chain ply it and you ply it on itself and it's beautiful and baffling and there we are? I vaguely remember that one issue is that the three ply comes out shorter, which lands us in a spinning koan: which is worse, a beautiful,coughUSABLEcough short skein, or a longer skein destined to swell the ranks of the yarn stash? (This year's suggestion -- Wurm, with this as the knit bands and something solid as the purl bands.)
Pretty yarn, kid. God, you're stubborn.
Posted by: rams at March 11, 2013 3:18 PMomg. what gorgeous yarn. breathtaking.
Posted by: Elizabeth in VT at March 11, 2013 3:18 PMI have a couple skeins of yarn which I adore. Any time I think of making them into something, I panic! If they become "something" they are no longer a lovely skein of yarn. I'm thinking it is okay to have a couple skeins of yarn simply because they are lovely to look at - kindof like a lovely rock or pinecone.
Posted by: Becky at March 11, 2013 3:18 PMElizabet @3:10-- If magicosity isn't in the dictionary already, it certainly ought to be! New favorite word!
And Steph...the yarn is gorgeous. I have several similar skeins that just don't seem to want to turn into anything in particular...so I have them draped decoratively in a basket on my coffee table.
It might be enough for a Purl Beret. It's the simplest pattern, and looks good with a variety of yarn types. The first one I knit is probably the hand-knit I've got the most compliments on. I just finished knitting a little one for my 2-year old son. Now I'm using some hand-spun from a friend to knit myself another one.
Posted by: Barbara at March 11, 2013 3:21 PMDon't knit it. Wear it as a pretty, pretty necklace.
Beautiful work!
Posted by: Jess at March 11, 2013 3:25 PMYes! A giveaway! You made beautiful yarn!
Posted by: Bonney at March 11, 2013 3:26 PMI've been against taking up the spinning thing because there aren't nearly enough hours in the day already for the knitting I want to do, much less family, housework, etc. But to someday be able to make yarn as beautiful as yours would be amazing. You must stop this, I can't resist much longer.....
Posted by: Linda at March 11, 2013 3:26 PMA small family (a herd or array) of psychedelic hedgehogs for Lou?
http://purlbee.squarespace.com/knit-hedgehogs/
I think you should auction the lovlies off and the proceeds go to MSF. You can thin out the stash that way and make money for a great cause. It's a win/win. Not so much for me, I am flat broke, but I like to read about the action you can stir up.
Posted by: Judy in Indiana at March 11, 2013 3:27 PMMake fingerless mitts, which you can wear while working on the computer, knitting, doing errands, etc. That way, you've both put your lovely yarn to good use and kept it in your line of sight, where you can regularly admire how beautiful it is.
Posted by: Barbara at March 11, 2013 3:35 PMWhat fun to see what the batt became. I like the necklace idea...hmmm, how would you slide on a few big, chunky beads?
Don't you hate it that the kids grow up, and you are left with Pavlov reaction to all the holidays that you "used to have"...and they have moved on and you are the only one left that even thinks about it?
Which is why September is the start of the year...not January? Seriously, who can tell the difference between December 31 and January 2nd?
Posted by: Leslie F at March 11, 2013 3:37 PMThat thing screams Linen Stich to me. What could you do with 160m of linen stitch?
Posted by: Samina at March 11, 2013 3:45 PMI vote for a hitchhiker shawl for a wee person.
Posted by: katie metzroth at March 11, 2013 3:46 PMI love how the yarn looks. I have never spun from a batt before, only from roving. How does it compare? Do you have to do anything differently than when you spin from a braid of fibre?
Posted by: josiekitten at March 11, 2013 3:48 PMBrilliant suggestions to use this as an accent yarn to something quieter.
My daughter is two and only just started school two mornings a week. I can't even imagine a day when every day won't require careful planning and plenty of deep breaths. Then again, I can't imagine when she won't be sitting here in a smock with a snack of strawberries and mulberries...
Posted by: Cara at March 11, 2013 3:52 PMI see that Stitchnerd on Ravelry is starting a mystery KAL for a handspun shawl; the handspun is mixed with some other yarn. She does some lovely patterns so that may well be worth a look.
Posted by: Spinthrift at March 11, 2013 3:53 PMKnit or woven necktie! You probably have enough for more than one!
Posted by: Ed at March 11, 2013 3:56 PMHow about a simple vest? Can you do that with 160 yards? Truly gorgeous yarn!
Posted by: Judy at March 11, 2013 3:58 PMWeave it! It would be beautiful woven. You can doo eet!
Posted by: Duffy at March 11, 2013 4:00 PMFingerless mitts. Winter isn't over yet.
Posted by: Jo-Anne at March 11, 2013 4:05 PMWho cares what you make with it?! It's gorgeous as is, and honestly, you've already made something so, you know...you can wind it into a skein and know that it's already been made :)
Posted by: Renee Anne at March 11, 2013 4:06 PMI miss all the great stories about your girls and their antics!! The yarn is beautiful, but I keep thinking "No more stories about water balloons....or wool pigs." I know it happens in every family, including mine, but there is something a teeny bit sad about watching all the kids become adults.
Oh well. The knitting and spinning you'll find time for will be fabulous for all of us.
Posted by: Aileen at March 11, 2013 4:17 PMOh, my. Ohmyohmyohmy!! That is some gorgeous yardage. I have faith in you, Steph. You will figure out the perfect thing for it, what it WANTS to be!!
Posted by: Sock Knitter at March 11, 2013 4:23 PMGive away, that says Give Me Away for sure. Bonus for KWB donation, or baby sweater in the Preggy lady stash?
Posted by: Sue B at March 11, 2013 4:25 PMGorgeous. If it were me it would be a hat by the end of the day.
Posted by: AlisonH at March 11, 2013 4:26 PMI'd knit it. Hat. With trim for mittens, because I have a ridiculously small head for a woman.
Posted by: Seanna Lea at March 11, 2013 4:29 PMI agree Roby -- weave something with it. Then give that away.
(Just kidding about the second part.)
Posted by: Susan at March 11, 2013 4:31 PMI like to make a cowl with these short bits of fat, soft stuff. More oompth than a hat, even in Canada you need a cowl longer, fairly fitted so you have enough, and will go fine with the rest of your clothes as long as you have a neutral set of hat/mittens to set if off.
Congratulations on surviving childhood(s) in a really major way :-).
Posted by: M-C at March 11, 2013 4:36 PMThat's not yarn to make something with.
That's artwork to hang up and admire.
On the wall behind your wheel,
lest anyone ask what's this used for.
I think you buy it with spinning in mind. Once spun, in your mind, it is done. You did with it what you intended. Don't sweat its future. If it is to be knit by you, something will make itself known. Otherwise, you could throw it in one of those giveaways/auctions you do for your various charitable efforts. I'm sure there's a knitter somewhere who would be happy to cast the winning bid!
Posted by: Me at March 11, 2013 4:43 PMAn Urchin hat???
Or fingerless mitts.
And of course it is so pretty.
Posted by: peony67 at March 11, 2013 4:46 PMSo many options...there's always sox, or a cowl or a wee shawlette..but my vote given its "March Madness"-how about some lovely cabled boot toppers to wear with your break up boots? The well dressed harlot needs a handknit fashion statement while slogging thru slush, freezing water, small ice dams etc .(sorry-had to say it-I'm in Alaska-I know your pain) (and the toppers postpone the winter legscaping)
Given the tapestry quality when knit up, whatever you choose will need some strong lines via openwork or stitch pattern or all those lovely colors will melt together.
Can't wait to see how it knots up and what it wants to become....
That lovely thing says Möbius to me.
Posted by: j00licious at March 11, 2013 4:47 PMYou do paint a great picture with your words...a bath made entirely of your tears. I know exactly how you felt! I'm sure you'll find something to do with your beautiful yarn, or just use it to feed the stash.
Posted by: Claudia at March 11, 2013 4:54 PMThat is very lovely yarn! Great work!
Maybe a March Break auction/raffle would be a good idea after the week is out, with proceeds going to Drs. Without Borders or something equally fabulous.
Posted by: Auntie Tracy at March 11, 2013 5:00 PMLOVE the yarn.
Not loving the 'week off' so far - it's more like a week of extra work, and that's coming from a homeschooler!!
Rainy Mondays should be illegal. :)
Nice yarn. Go weave a scarf with it. Use pick up sticks and put some texture in it. Jane Patrick wrote a really good book on the subject of weaving with a rigid heddle loom.
Posted by: Carol at March 11, 2013 5:03 PMMittens! They would be so nice and soft against your hands, plus you can rub your cheeks and revel in the softness even more.
Posted by: Heather DeFilippis at March 11, 2013 5:05 PMI don't spin - but given your experience - I think it might be like singing:
There are things that are SO MUCH fun to sing, but not that great to listen to.
There are things that people love to listen to, that are not actually that fun or interesting to sing.
Maybe this yarn is fun to spin.
(period. the end. Kind of like a piece that is fun to sing.)
LOVE the give away idea - because I live in hope! But I think a mobius cowl, like Sivia's design, would be wonderful. Or a necklace! Or an art piece as suggested. It is beautiful enough to just look at and enjoy. I'm going to have to step out of my comfort zone and try something wild like this. You are a motivator!!
Posted by: Melinda C at March 11, 2013 5:07 PMWeave a scarf with this silk at either end, and a similar content commercial yarn for the greater bits - or a cowl, but don't know if you are a 'cowl sort of person'. Delish, delish.
I am still getting used to the lack of washing one less child in the family makes when they go away to university, the reduction in food is taking some getting used to as well. No doubt it will fall on me when she returns.
Posted by: StellaMM at March 11, 2013 5:27 PMAnother advantage to homeschooling - you have that "all the kids are home all day" chaos all year long, so it doesn't jump out at you once a year. You're just used to it.
I agree that that beautiful, beautiful yarn should be given away. Set it aside for your next karma balancing event.
Posted by: Pat D at March 11, 2013 5:33 PMI think this pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-neck-scarf
would be cute in that yarn. Just my opinion
It's only one week for Ontario?!?! That's no fair :( Here in B.C. it's a 2 week March Break and next year they're talking about making it 3 weeks o_O I'll be working for the whole 2 week break so both of my boys will be in daycare which results in an extra $400 in childcare expenses for the month.
Hmm... I many have to start looking for job opportunities farther east ;)
Posted by: Jocelyn S. at March 11, 2013 5:49 PMI found this pattern for multicolored skeins awhile back - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/denver-cowl - recently got around to making one and LOVE it. The daisy stitch pops variegated yarns into a field of soft little flowers. Maybe that?
It's such a lovelylovely skein. And so many good ideas!
Posted by: alecia at March 11, 2013 5:52 PMHmmmm..174 yards of unexpected fun. What to do?
Design a sweater around the colors of the yarn and let the creativity spring from there. The sweater will create itself..just as the batt did. Use the hand spun as an accent..but use the main colors to construct the sweater.
If that is not good...make a cowl for your neck.
Posted by: B. Rickman at March 11, 2013 5:55 PMBeautiful! It's like that Noro Striped Scarf everyone was knitting a while back, but in yarn form.
Posted by: Lish at March 11, 2013 6:05 PM3 weeks of March break? i'd have to kill myself! lol, If I ever mention that I am moving to BC, please someone hit me over the head with a frying pan.
one week was plenty and my kids are grown now and gone, but i also still remember the fun we used to have. Yes, it did include a lot of planning, what if the weather didn't agree with my plan? then is was all shot to hell and I'd have very whiney kids on my hands. Ahhh...the good ole days.
PS. the yarn turned out beautiful. I think a shawl with this as an accent would be amazing.
Posted by: Lian at March 11, 2013 6:37 PMOh, yes, arm-warmers (wrist warmers, fingerless mitts, whatever you want to call them) would be a wonderful use for this yarn; then you can see it all the time, and it will be used and used and used, so you can love it all the more.
The skein of thought (yes, I know it's really train of thought but I'm a spinner too, you see) that thinks it could be auctioned off to the benefit of MSF is also a really really good idea.
I have a few skeins that I thought would always be skeins, that, left alone long enough for objectivity to prevail, became neckwarmers/cowls - because that is about the right amount of knitting for that kind of yarn.
Oddly, the idea of a scarf never appeals to me for yarn that I have made, but then again I'm not really a weaver except in the most cursory and amateur way; and it's all wrong for a knitted scarf.
Whatever you decide, it's lovely yarn and for now maybe that's all it needs to be.
Posted by: StrongCat at March 11, 2013 6:38 PMWhat about a "Noro" stripe scarf using a dark charcoal grey? You could also make a nice little cowl for a pop of colour against a neutral coat!
Posted by: Karlie at March 11, 2013 6:40 PMYou should just weave with your handspun, using a matching commercial yarn as the weft.
It's actually really fun, and you end up with some really nice scarves.
(See the bottom photo....)
http://geekgirlcrafts.blogspot.com/2013/01/finished-objects-part-3-weaving.html
I've made wallets out of my handspun woven. I think for the next one, I'll make a project bag out of it.
Posted by: Jade at March 11, 2013 6:44 PMoh my goodness, that's stunning. I'd personally shadow-knit or thin stripe it with a plain skein in that same sort of brown.
Posted by: Nicola at March 11, 2013 6:48 PMI completely understand about the yarn. I spin, and have several hanks awaiting my needles, but I can't settle on what to do with them. They look so lovely, but one tends to over-think what might be appropriate. Meanwhile, it IS nice to look at them.
Posted by: Debra at March 11, 2013 6:52 PMThis new turban pattern from Knitty is very fetching and might work for your lovely yarn.
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss13/KSPATTgreygardens.php
Enjoy your responsibility free March break. My kid is out of the house now - for the most part - and it is more difficult than it should be to get used to not taking care of everything.
Posted by: beth at March 11, 2013 6:52 PMI think stripes, but it might also be good for baby stuff. It is spring, after all, and people seem to especially fertile this time of year...
Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be GORGEOUS!
Posted by: Aradia at March 11, 2013 6:53 PMAnother vote for fingerless mitts. I'd go for something really simple, like Leslie Friend's Toasty, so the yarn can sing.
Posted by: Amy S. at March 11, 2013 6:53 PMThat yarn would be lovely woven into a piece of fabric. A pillow top, a bag to carry projects, a hat.... endless possibilities.
Posted by: Anne at March 11, 2013 7:02 PMThis is my first year with a no one in school, everyone is graduated and so are doing their own things. It's strange not having to get people up and moving in the morning, except I still get up when I could sleep in.The yarn is gorgeous a pair of fingerless mitts seems like a good idea, Barb had the right idea.
Posted by: kris at March 11, 2013 7:03 PMDude. Listen to Rams. When has she ever steered you wrong?
Posted by: Presbytera at March 11, 2013 7:20 PMChances are that if you do read the comments you won't get this far down... However I can see that yarn as a beautiful cowl/shawl/drapey collar on top of a black vest. Sort of built in jewellery for evening top. I don't get out much but I think people could wear it with black pants at some party with champagne flutes. Or maybe you could knit mittens.
Posted by: Joanne at March 11, 2013 7:21 PMThe two ideas I like the most are use it in a project as an accent with a neutral yarn. And just wear it as jewelry like necklace or maybe get the best of both worlds and use it in a knit or woven project as an accent and hold back enough to make a simple yarn bracelet. It is absolutely beautiful/yummy and I wish I could cuddle i, it looks so squishy!
Posted by: Liz at March 11, 2013 7:22 PMI think it would be nice to knit your handspuns into strips, stripes or blocks for a slow-growing blanket. Simple seed stitch or linen stitch squares would be squishily lovely.
Posted by: meg mcg at March 11, 2013 7:24 PMYour ROM comment made me laugh...I drove by there today and was so confused when I saw the long line out the door, and then I remembered...March break!
Posted by: Jen at March 11, 2013 7:29 PMI've discovered that beautiful hand spun yarns make smashing hand woven scarves. You possess the technology...
Posted by: shelly at March 11, 2013 7:47 PMI am turning all my less than 200 yard funky handspun skeins into funky fingerless mitts. They take about as long to knit as the skein took to spin so with my short attention span, I can be immersed in the next batch of glorious color quickly without feeling that Instead of immense piles of fiber, I now have immense bags of handspun yarn. In the spirit of your previous post, these will all be gifted to my handspinning fiber friends.
Posted by: Lynn at March 11, 2013 8:10 PMThat yarn is beautiful! I feel the same way about such colors: I love them, but I don't know what to do with them. The difference is that I can't make them, just admire them!
Posted by: ccr in MA at March 11, 2013 8:33 PMOne year I made my daughter do the classroom part of her DriversEd at March break.She hated that I ruined her holiday till she got her license, mother right again. Beautiful yarn.
Posted by: Lyn at March 11, 2013 8:44 PMThat yarn is whispering 'I want to be an Airy Spring Cowl' - can't you hear it? I love that yarn.
Posted by: Artiscentral at March 11, 2013 8:54 PMHmmm, on the other hand, it might be whispering 'I just want to sit in a yarn bowl and look pretty…..'
Posted by: Artiscentral at March 11, 2013 8:56 PMIt's lovely. I vote for a pair of mitts, which can possibly be saved for someone else's holiday present.
Posted by: Gwyn at March 11, 2013 9:02 PMJust put it in a bowl on the coffee table so you can stare at it... So pretty!
Posted by: janna at March 11, 2013 9:46 PMThose are brilliant colors. May I ask what the name of the yarn is?
Posted by: deep house at March 11, 2013 9:53 PMI think it would make a lovely cowl in a simple stitch pattern to let the colors speak for themselves. You could get an early start on Christmas!
Posted by: Lolly at March 11, 2013 10:05 PMBeautiful yarn which could be a beautiful cowl to adorn and delight you.
Posted by: Oz Libby at March 11, 2013 10:20 PMI well remember that the forces of entropy X2 (X3 in your case) required a very great counter force for order. Very tiring. How do teachers do it every day?
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport at March 11, 2013 10:21 PMThat yarn is begging to be an Alladin for your nephew or other deserving baby.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/b21-34-alladin-hat-in-alpaca
Posted by: Kristina at March 11, 2013 10:30 PMI think it would make a beautiful woven scarf!
Posted by: ErikaC at March 11, 2013 10:31 PMThis is my first year of not having to worry about March break either. Does seem strange. Enjoy your week of spinning!
Posted by: Louise at March 11, 2013 10:34 PMI love the yarn as well. The multicolored yarn such as this has always enchanted me as well, but I am never sure what to make with it.
As for the March break... I'm right with you sister. My boys went to Australia to visit their cousin for spring break, but I miss them horribly. The best part is that we can keep up with their adventures on Facebook, but I still miss them.
Posted by: Pamela at March 11, 2013 10:44 PMBasket weave möbius cowl!
Posted by: Paula at March 11, 2013 11:01 PMyour fence is my fence's long lost twin...resisting the urge to run out there in the dark, in my pjs to break the news!
Posted by: kathy at March 11, 2013 11:07 PMYou know, you could always sell or better yet give it to one if us, who may not know what to do with it either, but who would love it for its beauty and because you made it. Just kidding? Not really. Just a thought. (Please ont ban me from the blog.)
Posted by: Patricia at March 11, 2013 11:08 PMa tiny scarf.... but woven, not knitted!! the colours are beautiful and imho a woven scarf would really show them off....
Posted by: shelley at March 11, 2013 11:11 PMWeave.
Posted by: Cat Bordhi at March 11, 2013 11:15 PMThere is a wonderful little Mystery KAL going on right now in the Stitchnerd group on Rav. Just for around 150 yds of handspun. I don't know what the finished product looks like yet, but it seems like the perfect use of a beautiful yarn.
Posted by: Andi at March 11, 2013 11:29 PMI think it needs to become a baby/toddler shrug. Something a la Taylor by Theresa Lasichak on Ravelry. I know you don't have girl babies to play with, but maybe little Lou will become a big brother sometime or you will (gasp) become a grandmother someday and you can have it ready for that, instead of having your usual "OMG I'm not going to finish in time!" catastrophe. :)
But of course, then you wouldn't be able to blog about it and amuse us.
Posted by: Rachel (Ravelry ID Rachel1989) at March 12, 2013 12:08 AMI think the psychedelic hedgehogs Willa Slater (March 11, 2013 @3:26 PM) suggested would be adorable!
Posted by: Kathleen at March 12, 2013 12:35 AMFabulous yarn, Stephanie. I agree that it is complete in itself and doesn't need to be knit in order to fulfill its purpose in life.
Which makes me think of my stash, constantly growing without sufficient knitting to account for it. Lately I have stopped describing myself as a Knitter, and instead refer to myself as a Yarn Collector who occasionally knits some of it. I love to take out a skein or two to admire and pet, and then put it back and take out something else. Is there any hope for me? :)
Posted by: SusanOD at March 12, 2013 1:34 AMWow, beautiful stuff Steph! The color combination of the plys twisting around each other are so perfectly compatible. I see what you mean that it seems finished and complete already.
How about a hat? Something jaunty with a brim. That seems to be the style right now. Although, this yarn might be too colorful for that. Hmmm, sometimes I wish we could just loop a beautiful skein around our neck like a cowl, but that would probably look too crazy. :)
Posted by: Janelle at March 12, 2013 1:36 AMOOOOooo, that's really pretty.
I just moved to a new apartment and don't have money to buy things to put on the walls. DH suggested we put hooks and hang yarn. He said this with a completely straight face and not the tiniest bit of sarcasm. I think he thinks my yarn is beautiful.
Maybe we should just, decorate with it. *shrug*
Posted by: Shelly at March 12, 2013 1:39 AMThat's the kind of yarn that goes on display and is admired, without thought of what it should be, because it just is. Perhaps someday it will speak to you of a different outcome, but for now, it just is......something quite beautiful.
Posted by: Tubesock Patti at March 12, 2013 1:46 AMa weaved scarf. That would be perfect.
Posted by: Britt at March 12, 2013 2:08 AMI love the idea of mitts. It gives them a dual function! And if, perchance, they should come out a tad too large for your petite hands (say, in a size eight or thereabouts)....
Posted by: KarenJ at March 12, 2013 5:15 AMI had similar yarn and made myself a kindle cover from it..... bought a lovely button and off you go.
Alternatively, why not a laptop or i-pad cover. It could be the start of Christmas knitting that way, LOL!
Posted by: Bettina at March 12, 2013 5:15 AMStitchnerd on Rav is doing a MKAL with handspun.
Worth a look.
A wee bag for notions (dare I say measuring tapes and darning needles...) made out of linen stitch, either bicolour with another plainer yarn, or straight linen stitch. Made such a thing myself from blue Exmoor Horn blend (from the excellent Natural Dye Studio people in Devon UK, and grey North Ronaldsay commercial from NR. Fab lined in recycled linen cloth for that extra fibre gag. Instructions from my beloved Mon Tricot circa 1965. Although maybe the big bumps / uneven texture might drive you mad trying to get the linen stitch vaguely even. So maybe not linen stitch, but a wee bag some other how might still be good.
A gal can never have too many little bags to keep things in I say.
How about working it in with coordinating yarns for a shawl? Or do a cowl. Beautiful yarn! Gonna have to get some of those batts...
What about a bag? Or at least the front of a bag. Practical, shows off the yarn and goes with all your clothes. Ooh, now I want it!!
Posted by: julia at March 12, 2013 5:46 AMOr just sit it somewhere so that you can pet it as you walk past.
Posted by: julia at March 12, 2013 5:48 AMThat it is begging to be woven into something awesome.
Posted by: kay at March 12, 2013 6:08 AMMejor Thunder 5# Durant camisetas nba Negro Baratas 2013
Posted by: camisetas nba at March 12, 2013 6:18 AMA Luis sized BSJ with lovely dark yellow accents if the yardage needs to be boosted?
Posted by: Nic at March 12, 2013 6:24 AMI know this isn't the typical type of thing you like to make, but what about a little fold over clutch (as a gift for someone's birthday or Christmas)?
Something like this (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scallop-of-the-sea) but without the scallops.
Just a thought!
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Posted by: grant application university at March 12, 2013 9:29 AMI scanned some of the messages and agree with weave a scarf or trim a larger project. I do think the woven scarf will show off the yarn the best.
Posted by: Deborah N at March 12, 2013 10:37 AMI have spun the same sort of yarn. It is wonderful, I agree. I got the most "funky spun yarn bang" for my knit in one of the biased/multi-directional scarves. Lovely! Your yarn is beautiful.
Posted by: Meg at March 12, 2013 10:47 AMYou know, head bands are the rage this year. Maybe a little headband with a knitted flower on it? Keep your ears warm, and if the yarn is soft enough, it will be gorgeous!
Posted by: C at March 12, 2013 10:52 AMYou could make a wee little wallet & phone purse or clutch with a simple one stitch cable or something and long thin braided swingy strap. Then line it with a silk or fake silk fabric that matches one of the colors in your yarn. Then find a really rad button that ties the whole project together. It would be the dress up purse for a fancy hippy/pagan May Day party.
Or you could save it for one of your fund raiser motivators. :)
Posted by: Gina at March 12, 2013 10:52 AMYou could use it in a two-color shawl, with a neutral as the main color, or collar/cuff colorwork on an otherwise plain sweater. It's lovely stuff.
Posted by: Deborah C. at March 12, 2013 11:26 AMIf that were MY yarn, I'd sleep with it wrapping my body and a HUGE SMILE on my face. It would have to be on a light sensitive pedestal, illuminated to show its' magnificence. Then it would go on world tour, properly guarded ...its maker all expenses paid, then home to the stash of the most toothsome, enchanting batts spun. Just saying....
Posted by: Lynda Smith at March 12, 2013 11:34 AMThis is what I call "yarn doodling" - just spinning to see what you get rather than going into it with a plan. And some doodles stop at just being doodles and some doodles become something else. Some get pinned to the fridge and some sit in the bottom of a drawer until they are found years later. I think we get way too hung up on whether something is "usable". Art, like people, is precious because it exists not because it's "useful".
Posted by: TrishO at March 12, 2013 11:41 AMWeave.
Posted by: amaryllis at March 12, 2013 12:09 PMI'm with Ellen at 5:58. Weave. I'm not a weaver, but that was my first and only thought when I saw that gorgeous yarn.
Posted by: Suzanne at March 12, 2013 12:18 PMSilly girl...doesn't matter what you knit, it will feel terrific knitting it and the recipient will love it...it is unique. Cowls are nice, quick and all that color on this gray, gray day in Maine.
Posted by: Bonnie Davenport at March 12, 2013 12:44 PMYour comment about the ROM is spot-on. I work at a large museum where we get both the Québec and Ontario breaks, which are consective weeks. Every year, the building is packed! And forget about getting a seat in the cafeteria at lunchtime...
To whoever posted that hedghog pattern, thank you! Those are genius and adorable!
Posted by: Anneh at March 12, 2013 12:51 PMI hear you - I think this lovely yarn may work better as a woven scarf than a knitted item! A plain warp, then your beautiful yarn as weft!!!!
Posted by: shawn at March 12, 2013 12:52 PMYes, I have the same problem with my yarn.
...almost all of it.
Beautiful-Beautiful spinning you have there; I'd be happy to stare at it for you. It looks like a meadow filled with a rainbow of wildflowers
Posted by: bj of LaColline at March 12, 2013 1:19 PMI think you should pair it with a solid. It would be a lovely accent on a shawl.
Posted by: Natalie at March 12, 2013 1:19 PMBeautiful yarn!! (BTW: in BC it's also called Spring Break and starts next week. Our plan is to have grandparents come for a visit.)
Posted by: Heike Horn at March 12, 2013 2:04 PMHi! I could have sworn I've been to this site before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it's new to
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Spring break? March break? That's light years in my past...specifically college. I yearn for that kind of break as a grown adult with bills to pay. I may need to rebuild that part of my life again. Although this time around, my spring break would have knitting in it, spring breaks past has zilch knitting. I'm a little more grown up that way.
Posted by: MB@YarnUiPhoneApp at March 12, 2013 2:22 PMI see that lovely yarn in stripes with an equally soft creamy yarn knitted up into a sweet spring almost here shawl.
Posted by: Maureen M at March 12, 2013 7:20 PMAuction fodder for MSF/DWB. Let someone else play with it.
Posted by: Alice in the Heartland at March 12, 2013 7:27 PMWoman, you have a loom. This yarn wants to be some luscious woven thing. A scarf, a throw, fabric for a killer top.
That is all.
Well...
Just got bobbin 4 done and going to get more BFL. 16 more oz to spin and I will have my stated quota. Gotta hurry though. Only have till Friday!
bjr
Posted by: B. Rickman at March 12, 2013 8:32 PMOMG! It doesn't matter what you choose to do with that luscious yarn. It's beautiful and if it decides to stay as a skein and sit in a basket, that's not a bad ending for it either.
I'm beyond the "spring break" I'm from New England in the states and we have a "Winter break" in February and a "spring break" in April. March was just a month to get through
Posted by: sheila at March 12, 2013 8:45 PMIt could be the color sections of a Spectra shawl.....
Posted by: Barb at March 12, 2013 9:14 PMSave up all your spinning and make yourself one of those Knit, Swirl Jackets, "Coat of Many Colors" would work.
Posted by: Rebecca at March 13, 2013 12:39 AMI have the same problem---I spin up the yarn, and then it lays there because I can't commit to a project. I just finished spinning four ounces of painted roving and now have about 330 yards of sport-weight yarn. I am leaning toward something simple, like a Gap-tastic cowl, but I waivering all over the place.
Posted by: Brenda at March 13, 2013 3:14 AMI knitted a similar quantity of light handspun into a slouchy head-covering now known as "mom's bad-hair-day beret" -- and those colirs would be beautiful with your hsir.
Posted by: Elleninindy at March 13, 2013 7:59 AMI thought the same thing when I heard that our break is in 2 weeks...what to do? field trips? baking? Then I realized that my 3 are all off at college, too, and might manage to slip home and into a coma for a few days where I might see them for a few hours when they wake up from time to time. ;-) I'm a "process" spinner not a "project" spinner so I ooohhh and awwwww at my finished yarn then throw it in the basket with the other handspun and think about what to knit with it.
Posted by: Lisathemom at March 13, 2013 9:45 AMWeave it! it will look fantastic in woven form.
Or maybe a long loop cowl that can wrap around twice.
A "Hitchhiker" scarf would be awesome-sauce with this yarn. Also, Churchmouse Yarns and Teas' "Koigu Linen Stitch Scarf" would be great with it. Good luck!
Posted by: Katie W at March 13, 2013 12:01 PMThat yarn screams, "narrow linen stitch scarf" to me. So pretty.
Posted by: katie luther at March 13, 2013 1:08 PMThat yarn positively SCREAMS to be baby clothes!
Spring Break IS odd now that my kids are mostly grown. I've released two to the wild already, and the two remaining at home are big enough to drive cars, so they don't need tending. They can create their own organized chaos, as long as they clean the mess before I get home from work!
Posted by: Angela Pea at March 13, 2013 3:20 PMThose colors are so pretty.
Posted by: Cleo14 at March 13, 2013 5:12 PMHow about a fluffy, colorful Pretty Thing?
Posted by: jax at March 13, 2013 6:26 PMI'm working on a Stephen West scarf--I think it's called Spectra--with a similar handspun and a nice chocolate brown. It's coming together beautifully. And, Steph? I was dead serious about sending you that Jennie the Potter mug.
Posted by: Kim at March 14, 2013 12:40 PMI had a basket of such pretties myself and firm plans to never use them, but that all changed when I had to actually dust them off this winter. That was just too tragic to bear and I started whipping them up into simple stockinet te moebius cowls. I get to admire the colors and squishy texture while I feel quite mathematically clever as I knit round and round. Bonus being I've been adorned with my gorgeous colors all winter long.
Posted by: Dawn at March 14, 2013 4:50 PMThe yarn is beautiful. I think I would just let it be yarn for a while rather than rushing it to be something else.
Posted by: Liz at March 14, 2013 5:00 PMBeautiful yarn! Looks like stash yarn to me.
It's hanging on the fence though... do you still have it? Or has the squirrel got it?
Posted by: Joanne at March 14, 2013 5:33 PMNICE!!
Posted by: Chery at March 14, 2013 6:08 PMI think it's beautiful as is -- full of potential, without any practicalities to mess it up.
I find drop-stitch patterns are friendly to difficult yarns. Plenty of air to relieve the eye and let you actually see the beauty of the yarn and not end up with something that looks like an over enthusiastic finger-painting. I'd try seafoam stitch or garter stitch with a twisted drop-stitch row every 5th row (wrap twice around both needles, once around the back needle, then finish the stitch).
Posted by: kristi at March 15, 2013 10:23 AMI'd match it with another handspun for an Inspira Cowl.
Posted by: Christine M at March 15, 2013 9:33 PMI know exactly what you mean about the yarn seeming like a finished thing. That's why I opened my Etsy shop. Other people know exactly what to do with my handspun, and they make some amazing projects with it.
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If someone gave me (a knitter) a gift of homespun, especially something as beautiful as what you've made, I would cry. Really. And then, as soon as i could without being rude, I would start knitting a little feel-me swatch, and keep it in my pocket or my handbag for a week or two while I let the yarn tell me what it needed to become. That's what I often do with yarn, it seems to help. K.
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