The Point of No Return

You know how sometimes you learn a new skill and then you see a million ways to use it? Or you're out and see some beautiful color combination in the sky or in some flower? Before we started this book, it wasn't such a problem -- I'd just buy more yarn for whatever crazy idea I had and then make up a project box and add to my stash closet. Did I mention the 100+ project boxes in my stash closet? So the only real "harm" was the increase in my stash, but it helped the economy because I bought the yarn, and a project box, so really, it was a win-win. Right?

Now it's a whole different story. Because we plan Deep South Knitting to be the first in a whole series of books, and because I've been doing a bit of traveling recently and have more planned over the next few months, I am being whipped around by inspiration EVERYWHERE. When I was in Seattle and Alaska, I ended up designing 3 sweaters for the next book -- Seaside Knitting. At least I haven't cast any of them on yet. I used to say "I need a vacation" when my brain started to overheat like this. Yeah, not working out so well right now.

I'm headed to Scottsdale with Mr. PurlQueen in January for the only annual conference he ever really asks me to go with, and this time it happens to be in Scottsdale. It just so happens that Wild West Knitting will include Arizona, and I was thinking I'd spend my days while he's in workshops doing some local yarn crawls for our Planet Purl travel blogs. So while perusing the brochure pages, I was struck with an onslaught of inspiration just from the photos in the dang brochure. Crikie! What's going to happen when I'm actually there in person?

Thank goodness I have a huge whirlpool tub in my bathroom. It's the only place where I can't knit so I make myself climb in every night with a non-knitting-related book and and a cold beverage (OK, usually a cocktail) and try to disengage my knitting-fevered brain for an hour.

For Deep South Knitting, my sketch book is overflowing, I'm knitting until my arms are sore, I'm hardly sleeping as it is and I'm even dreaming about knitting, now.

I'm afraid I've stepped over some edge from which there's no return. Tomorrow and Wednesday I'm lucky enough to be able to attend workshops with Cat Bordhi, one on socks the other on moebius. I was doing my "homework" for the moebius class this morning, and my poor brain started working out a moebius pattern for Deep South Knitting. If it works out, it's going to be an absolutely gorgeous and feminine "jeans jacket" alternative. I know it's only 11:00 a.m., but I think I need to get into that bathtub now before something in my head short-circuits. Too early for a pina colada?

Just Like a Cat with a Shiny Object......

Have you ever noticed how short a cat's attention span is? If not, next time you're near a cat, wiggle a shiny object and see how fast you distract the cat from whatever it's doing. Yep, I'm just like it, except for me, just put yarn within my field of vision and I lose...what was I saying?

Right now, my Alaskan yarn acquisitions are sitting on my table and trying to distract the heck out of me. Sure, our second Planet Purl book will be Seaside Knitting and will include locales on the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, but I need to finish Deep South Knitting first. It's bad enough I have a dozen DSK projects on my needles. I really can't start casting on for book #2, for Pete's sake. So I sketched out some designs for my Seattle Sky Sweater and my Alaskan Glacier Pullover (which I can't wait to knit for myself), and the British Columbia Deep Woods Afghan, and then I have this idea for a musk ox lace moebius and I absolutely must stop myself right there!

But that doesn't resolve the issue of these gorgeous yarns I bought and that are piled up on the table in front of me, especially this hand-dyed chunky mohair from Raven Frog Fibers. The colorway is called "Cabin in the Woods" and its a combination of creamy vanilla, reds, yummy greens and the tree bark browns. I can already see it as an oversized long-sleeved deep funnel-necked, rolled hem alternative to a sweatshirt. Mmmmmm.

I fell in love with the Raven Frog Hand-Dyes. They're made in Sitka, Alaska and they make all kinds of textures. Which explains the 4 different skeins I bought in the "Alder" colorway. Soft thick and thin roving, silky chenille, worsted wool and a bumpy, crinkly, boucle-y wool. I have no idea what I'm going to make with it, but I couldn't resist. Any ideas?

Also trying to seduce me with come-hither smiles are the ball of vicuna and the ball of marine blue Quiviut that I totally splurged on with Mr. PurlQueen's enthusiastic agreement (after I made certain offers of a, well, personal nature). 217 yards each of 100% pure, soft, luxurious heaven and I can almost feel it turn into fabric on my fingers. But now I've distracted myself again, darn it.

OK, one Planet Purl book at a time. I really need to develop some serious self-control. And it better be before I head to France next month. Two weeks in the home of Bergere de France, Anny Blatt, Bouton d'Or and more trims, buttons and embellishments than you can shake a quiche at. Sure. I can control myself, right? Right? Awww, who am I kidding -- I need to take an empty suitcase with me.