Thank you and what's happening at SIOz

Well, it's been a busy week here at SIOz Central. Amongst the winter knitting and various projects, I've managed to get the dyelots going -- sleep obviously is at a minimum, but still at a healthy level (don't worry Melanie!). These will take longer to dry as the humidity level has gone up again.

I've been tackling the new sock yarn lots. This week -- it's reds and more softer florals, including a version of one of my favourites, Timberlake (a bit of sky, a bit of water a bit of trees). This week's is a dusky version with a tinge of light purple. We're still chewing on names on the Ravelry group, so hop on and you too might win a free hank of new, fresh, sock yarn! Thank you to everyone who's played along -- keep those suggestions coming.

There are more hanks of 8 and 4 ply blues and purples, with a nice mix of Rome (see prev postings) and a complementary blue.

Here's a photo of the hood I am still playing with. I'm trying to get this one off my back -- I broke my leg last year just after sewing in the ends. Seriously, this hood has some bad juju I'm trying to get out. Anyway, it's knitted in SIOz Merino 10. Very warm and I think will be reknitted in something lighter before I've said FINISHED for this design. Hmmm.

The Hood by SIOz

Cable Close Up for The Hood

Amongst the yarns that I HEART very much in the SIOz line at the moment are the cashmere treat hanks -- here are some piccies of the latest colours loaded:

ink marle in 100% cashmere dk


dark orchid in 100% cashmere dk

I've checked the going rate for 50gms of cashmere online (well, the european good stuff anyway) and it, on sale, runs around $32.00 per 50gm. SIOz hand-painted cashmere dk is $12.50 for 30gm/75m hanks. This yarn has brilliant stitch definition and is lovely to knit with. 3 hanks makes a pair of women's mittens.

Winter Chill Down Under -- we love it

Ocean Blues Superwash Sock Yarns -SIOz

The first blast of cooler air has finally hit Adelaide and I, for one, am loving it.

Fun and games this week for me here in the workroom. What arrived? Well, many kilos of... the wrong yarn. From the mill. *sigh* Lemons from lemonade you ask? Yes, well... since the cost of shipping it back were ridiculous and decidedly UNGREEN, I've negotiated a way out of the headache on this end. Not ideal of course, but at least I can put the Panadol back in the cupboard! LOL Here's a piccie of the new ooopsie yarn:

I ran a lot in a darker version of Forbidden City. It positively glows!

What's at the Port Markets this week?

Mixed lots of special yarns -- when I say mixed lots... I grouped individual yarns by type and dyed them in the same lots.

Ocean Blues (above) -- haven't run this one for a while, so was pleased to do so this week. Didn't think they would dry in time, but hey presto -- all superwash sock yarns went into this lot. Make a pair of socks in SIOz Ocean Blues for winter. There are hanks of Kraemer Sterling, given the SIOz treatment, as well as some Louet Gems, and some ltd edition Italian Sock (my fave high twist yarn for socks, far too dear to run very often). The photo was taken before I finished processing the hanks -- just had to snap a colour shot right away!

Rome Purple from Stranded In Oz

The purple run was a test of a new colour I'm torturing myself with called ROME. Purple. What else? And the photo on my screen just doesn't do this shade justice. My screen a yarn much bluer than in person.

I've been in search of the ultimate purple; and just when I think I've got it, it eludes me. This search has meant a lot of mixing and remixing -- emailing dye houses, and all manner of colour mania. Dare I even say I think I've got it? The truth will be in the knitting.

Come out this Sunday and grab one of the few test hanks in ROME. Who knows, I may go back to the drawing board yet again. I am looking forward to the feedback on this colour. In this lot was a hank of Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Sock -- a base they don't wholesale, as well as a hank of my beloved Merino 4 Natural. Sooo soft, so luxurious. And yes, I don't want to part with either, but out they go.

MORE banana palm silks and So Sari:

So Sari in Light Olive from Stranded In Oz

Banana Palm Silk in Kansas from Stranded in Oz

Banana Palm Silk in McLaren Vale from Stranded In Oz

The diehard SIOz addicts know that I don't run the McLaren Vale in BPS very often. This lot is divine and features another new purple -- it's rather grapey and rich as well as my fave dark eggplanty purple I use in this colorway.

Pattern restocks -- there's been a run on sock patterns at the Markets, so I've printed up a new batch. If you purchase online, be sure to ask in your notes upon ordering if you'd like a free pattern with purchase.

CU online and at the Markets, M