Story: Origins of Truth or Consequences Ruana

True Story:
Years ago, on a cold winter's night, I looked at a sale of 100% cashmere yarn. It was Mongolian cashmere offered at a unbelievable half off price. (BTW, many of my knitting stories start that way.)
The yarn came in many colors and the chore to narrow it done to just a few was really difficult.
After some time, I finally decided to just "Act like I was designing with a specific theme for a magazine" in mind, and Et Voila, the yarn color spoke "We belong together", loudly!

Once the yarn arrived I was was overjoyed. The colors were so true to their on-line images, which is not always the case.
Now the yarn needed to be wound and cashmere in hand is an amazing experience. If you have never felt it, go try it. After that the yarn just waited. It even disappeared back in the box with a rubber band around it for at least a year.
It is winter again. In San Diego this means sunshine until that first cold day, from then on it is cold. There is no Autumn Season. I had completed my Christmas projects of one knitted hat for each of my Nieces and Nephews. A period of me-time was ahead. I remembered the cashmere and pulled it out from the box. I first expanded on the mood board because I needed to define this project more. It needed shape and form.

OK, I thought: I can do this! It looked to me like there is going to be a sweater/coat made from this yarn, with a southwestern look. To stay authentic to that Theme I made sure the collar of this garment will have the shape as the coats that a saw researching the southwestern theme.

It was time to create this new coat closely adhering to the original Theme. Stripes, triangles, shawl collar, long, pockets, but basic. Because I had purchased the yarn years ago, I had one special constraint: the colors needed to be balanced such that I did not run out of yarn!!!

I was so proud of my accomplishment. This sweater gets used all winter long.

Don't go yet, the story has an even greater ending.

 To my surprise, there was an actual call for submissions to a publication called Nomadic Knits. It is a newer kind of knitting pattern print book and e-book publication. For the 3rd issue the theme was Arizona/New Mexico.
I had the idea to just take my design and make it into a ruana. The idea was accepted and now, this April 22, 2019 the book is released. You can make this ruana. The yarn for the pattern is from Arizona, just as colorful, and even contains some cashmere.
The book or e-book can be purchased here:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/nomadic-knits-issue-three-arizona-new-mexico

The yarn already prepared as a kit for 2 sizes can be purchased here:
https://gherkinsbucket.com/listing/685174356/hand-dyed-dk-yarn-kit-for-nomadic-knits

Socks are like 'Staples' everybody wears them

In between bigger knitting projects, such as sweaters, cardigans, and even ponchos lately, there is always time to sneak in making a pair of socks.
In the many ways socks can be constructed it is always an adventure to me. Well, I make it an adventure, anyway.
If you want to follow some of them, here are the last 2 sock designs.

Prickly Pear are top down with a basic heel flap socks. The yarn is the very warm Fibre Co. Cumbria fingering weight wool/mohair mix. Yes, you read it right, there is mohair in it to make your feet toasty warm. One of the features, the bottom half of the foot are purl stitches. That makes sure the smooth side is inside the socks, hugging your feet.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/prickly-pear-socks-2

These socks are published in the current issue of I like Knitting, available at News Stands everywhere, and Barnes and Noble stores.

In my own ravelry store you will also find a new slip stitch sock pattern. I named them Dotted Ladder Socks. These are top down socks with an integrated heel, so you can make both socks at the same time on a long circular needle.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dotted-ladder-socks

HAPPY KNITTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!