Wondrous Wool!

As I took my brisk walk this morning in a frosty field at 25°, I was thankful for the added layer of my thin lambswool sweater and and merino wool leggings that gave the perfect touch of warmth.

There is just nothing like wool.  So many of us say, “oh, I just don’t wear wool”, because of a few bad experiences with itchiness.  As I’ve worked with these same issues throughout the years, I’ve also found that they can be worked through and the benefits from wearing wool garments, in cold temps, has been worth the diligence.  There are a variety of  wools that can provide a soft, lush feel to the skin as well as a highly effective waterproof layer that is surprisingly easy to maintain and launder.

It only takes moments in a Google search to realize the diversity that wool offers.  To read about it’s background and versatile uses is simply fascinating.

I recently went to my local yarn shop where they provide an amazing selection.  Although I wasn’t able to find the exact yarn I was looking for, I still purchased 5 balls @ the painful price of $70.  As I began to work with it I realized that in order to finish my project I was going to need yet another ball.  I ripped that out ~ went on-line ~ found yarncountry.com {from WA state…yay!}~ purchased 15 (yes 15) balls of the exact yarn that I was looking for, in a variety of colors ~ spent $95.25 (for 15) with the satisfying result of…. I’m a happy {busy} knitter! ~ 100%, non-washable wool is most definitely my favorite thing to work with.

The two baskets in the picture are very, very old hand-woven, Indian baskets that belong to my dear hubby.  He knows the value that is attached to these so he will pick them up here and there as he sees them for a good price.

Here is another one that I admittedly absconded with several years ago…it’s my favorite one