Yarn Traveler

*Title totally stolen from Emily, but it was too cute not to use.

After a very, very long week at the day job, I finally managed to get myself to Twisted. The purpose of my visit was two-fold; I needed raffle prizes for this week’s KnitMap raffle, and after the intense couple of weeks I’ve had lately, I was in need of a little yarn therapy. Alpaca was fondled. I feel much better.

The wonderful proprietresses (shush, its a word!) helped me pick out some great prizes for KnitMap. This week’s winners will receive a skein of skein of handpainted 100% superwash merino sock yarn from Portland local, Painted Skeins. This stuff is beautiful! I had such a hard time just picking three, but I finally decided on the colorways “Afterglow,” “Nest,” and “Zutano”.

While I was there I also picked up some prizes for raffles #2 and #3, and some components for the grand prize packages. It’s going to be so hard to give these away!

While I was there, I checked out their new line of Zealana yarn, and Shannon pointed out the merino/Delaka blend. It feels just like a great merino wool yarn, but the Delaka gives the yarn a heathered look and softens the colors. When I came home, the latest issue of Interweave Knits was waiting for me, and now I really want to make the Tangled Yoke Cardigan from the Delaka blend.

Just what is Delaka you may ask? The Australian Brush Tailed Delaka is better known as a possum. Zealana is helping to protect the delicate New Zealand environment from this invasive species, and the beautiful yarn is a great byproduct. According to their website, the Delaka fiber yarn has some really nice properties:
• It is exceptionally warm
• Low pill
• Minimal prickle factor (when I read that on their site, I read it as “minimal pickle factor”)
• Good moisture absorbency

So it turns out that possum really IS awesome! I don’t know about you, but I need a possum sweater. Maybe we can get a group together for a possum KAL?

Filed under: Yarn, KnitMap on September 16th, 2007