my kidsilk haze obsession

April 12, 2015


Below is a modest sample of my Kidsilk Haze stash, which numbers in at about 40 skeins.  Yep, it's a small fortune in yarn I admit, but luxury yarn is my vice, no, my obsession.  Calling KSH a vice makes my innocent collection seem depraved.  You could never make me admit that posessing a large quantity of this sweet yarn is depraved!

So, here 'tis a sample below, with enough of each to make a sweater:  Clockwise from top right is the gorgeous hot magenta Candy Girl; I have five skeins.  Next is the sequined discontinued Glamour in that gorgeous shade of Heavenly Blue; I have eight.  The next one is sparkly Eclipse, also discontinued, in Aquarius and I have ten of those.  Top left is the red ripe Strawberry, and I have five here too.  Top center is Heavenly and I think I have eight of those.  But...that's not all of my KSH stash.  I have numerous single skeins and odd balls.  I keep it all in a *special* box, my most special knitting stash box: The Kidsilk Haze Box!  My obsession for KSH is well documented; on my Ravelry project page I have 20 plus completed projects.  I always like to have at least one KSH project going on and right now I don't have nary a one.

So here's my dilimma; what pattern should I knit next?  What color?  I'm in no hurry to finish and don't need a darn thing.  It's just when I pick up my knitting, sometimes I feel like picking up tiny needles and working with a spiderweb-like strand of softy silky mohair.  I always have to have an on-going KSH project or I feel...sad.  So many of you feel the same way, I know.  See my choices below and give me your input!  Help!  What next?




Bow Cardigan by Sarah Hatton, Rowan Studio 12 has been on my to-do list for ages.  I'm thinking the red.


I've already made Jamie by Sarah Hatton from Rowan Loves.  I love it so much I want to make it again.  I'm thinking the sequined Glamour in pale blue.
This is Kate also from Rowan Loves.  Above it's knit with Felted Tweed but it can be knit with KSH too.  I think it would be pretty in my gray Eclipse, plus I have 2 skeins of Eclipse in Topaz that would be so pretty as the contrast.
Captivate from Kim Hargreaves North book combines KSH with Rowan Fine Lace.

Garnet, Kim Hargreaves.  I made a similar one, Effie, by Kim and love it.  Must make this (maybe the magenta?)

Annis by Kim Hargreaves uses Mohair Haze, and while I love that too, Annis would also work beautifully with KSH.

Drift, from Kim's new Echos book also uses Mohair Haze, but wouldn't this be pretty in KSH?

Kiki, another Kim, would be great using up my oddballs.

Mystic by Kim Hargreaves. 

I've always adored Anna from the very first Rowan Studio publication. Would love this in KSH Stipe.

A sweetheart neck makes this simple cardigan a beautiful classic.  Sweetheart Cardigan, Sarah Hatton, Studio Twelve.

Ella, a fitted tunic with a drape neck is from Kim's Touching Elegance book.  I have loved this forever and think this would look great in the gray Eclipse, don't you? And don't you wish you had hours of knitting time every single day?

So those are the ones I'm zeroing in on.  What do you think?

The links:
Kidsilk Haze Stripe
Kim Hargreaves
Rowan Loves
Rowan Studios are out of print, but easily found at your Rowan stockist or the internet.

Oh...
I have a secret.

Rowan can usually be counted on to offer up a KSH surprise every year or so.
This fall be prepared to be BLINDED by bling!
I cannot wait to get my hands on it and show it to you!

Bye!




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25 Comments

  1. The Sara Hatton cardigan in any color. Absolutely beautiful.

    Carole

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, the Bow Cadigan right? I think I need it!

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  2. Would you advise any of these for an intermediate knitter. I am afraid of knitting something for myself with expensive yarn and it ending up unwearable. I have recently knit 5 little items for my 1 year old daughter and they have turned out fairly well. In between I knit a sweater for myself using a sirdar pattern but it turned out completely shapeless and I have never worn it. Any advice?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Aideen: I would start out with a pattern that was easy to customize for fit, such as a simple pullover. A simple shape in a beautiful yarn with a great fit can never be beat. Take out a sweater that you own that has a fit that you love. Take measurements and cast on with a pattern that matches those measurements as closely as possible. As you are knitting, occasionally lay out your piece to your sweater and make adjustments if needed. I would not use KSH for your first adult sweater as it does not like to be frogged easily. In the Rowan line, these yarns, IMO, are great for an intermediate knitter wanting to tackle her first adult sweater: any of the Felted Tweeds, Fazed Tweed, Kid Classic, Wool Cotton, Handknit Cotton, and Pure Wool Worsted. They all can take a bit of ripping out if necessary and all will create even stitches. Good luck and tell me what you've decided to make!

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  3. Yu need more felted tweed in your life. Away with fuzzy stuff. 😱 (Tee hee)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now Cindi! You did admit to loving KSH, just not as much as FT, and I accept that!

      Delete
    2. No, I said it was better thanI thought and it is nice on the hands, but wearing fuzzy stuff leaves a lot to be desired! It's icky.

      Delete
  4. I love the first one, Bow cardigan, in black, gray, or red! I'm obsessed with knitting...I'd rather do that than anything else!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What is this thing with knitting? It's addicting, I really do think it is! Do we need a 12-step? NO!

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    2. If knitting is wrong....I don't want to be right!

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  5. DRIFT!!! It's the perfect sweater. Sorry if my vote ends up posting twice;).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you seen Kim's new Echo book? I don't have it in my hands yet, but I've seen all the designs. Beautiful.

      Delete
  6. Captivate and the Sweetheart Cardigan are very high on my list. I too share your addiction, and love KSH. But, I am also collecting the little leftovers from projects, I have big plans for those!! I would love to hear your suggestions for pairs combining Fine Lace and KSH, I have trouble matching more then a handful of colors in a way I like, suggestions would be very welcome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Virginia, what are your big plans for your leftovers??? As for matching FL with KSH, Kim Hargreaves is pretty good at that. She loves to put the two together. I would love to see KSH Majestic with FL Antique or Revival. Trance and Aged look like they would work beautifully, and so does Turkish Plum and Sonata. Ohhh, also looking at Blood and Renaissance! (I've opened the shade book and KSH and FL are on the same page!)

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    2. Thanks for the suggestions, Kristen! I will check those out. I know I have one pair stashed away, but I don't recall the color names. A deep blue in each. I want to make a giant crocheted wrap with my leftovers... Something floral. Stripes are always good, but something more industrious I think...

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  7. Lovely blog, very inspirational where KSH is concerned. I knitted the Bow cardigan some years ago, I love it but found that the bow sits a bit low so I have altered it slightly so it sits more at my waist level. I have the yarn for Captivate, which I shall start as soon as I finish my current project (and a bit of knitting for my 3 month old granddaughter). However, I think I'm now tempted to try some of the other patterns you have shown, they're all lovely, I agree it's a wonderful yarn.

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    Replies
    1. I wondered about the bow too. I have a long waist and often have to alter where I place my waist shaping. The bow would have to be at the waist, or it would not be flattering. Have you tried Mohair Haze? I love it so much. It was introduced last year and was one of my favorites. I think it will stay around for a long time, like KSH. It's also easier to knit and makes a fuller fabric even though you can interchange the yarn for the most part.

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    2. I love Mohair Haze, I've just completed Karolin from Rowan 56 and I love wearing it. The only reason I wanted to know if KSH could be substituted is because the colour range is restricted for mohair haze. I have a couple of sweaters in mohair haze I'd love to knit but I want to knit them in a bright red and a royal blue colour to go with a new skirt. Unfortunately none of the Mohair Haze shades are suitable.

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  8. Sorry, I forgot to ask, you talk about substituting KSH for Mohair Haze, would this be a direct sub or would you use KSH held double?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a bit trickier than being a direct sub. KSH knits at 18-25 sts. per 4 in. and Mohair Haze comes in at 28. However, I like it at 25 too, which is more of a sport weight. I think I remember Kim Hargreaves knitting up some sweaters with MH at 25 sts. per 4 in. Even with a pattern with a gauge of 25, it would depend on the style. MH will make a fuller fabric with more body, KSH at the same gauge with be a floatier, lighter fabric. You'd have to decide if the sub would work. I have also knit KSH at 28 sts. per 4 in with a size 1 or 2 needle, I forget now, but it was gorgeous.

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  9. The bow cardigan, captivate, and sweetheart neckline cardigan look like great additions to your sweater wardrobe.

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    Replies
    1. It seems like you are in the majority. These 3 seems to be the most loved!

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  10. I love Kate, Captivate, Sweetheart cardigan, and Ella. So hard to narrow down and choose! I will definitely be making Kate and Captivate for my daughters!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sue. I commented on your blog with , "You need a "follow by email" gadget on your blog!" and I know blogger supports it. I hope you add it because I like to follow that way. I love your blog.

      Delete

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