Back from the yarn store December 6, 2006
That place is dangerous. That’s all there is to it.
Dangerous, but fun. 
This is the yarn I got to make the Flared Lace Smoke Ring for my mom. I needed either a lace- or fingering-weight yarn. And, since it’s for mom, it couldn’t have any animal fibers in it. They make her itch, wiggle, squirm.
This stuff is fabulous. It’s called Zig from Georges Picaud, imported from France. It’s 75% viscose and 25% cotton, and is super, super soft. The variegations in color and texture will make a delicious-looking neck warmer.
Last time mom was here visiting we went to the yarn store, and she helped me pick out buttons—still not attached—for my Kaffe Fassett sweater. While we were there she wandered around a bit. She saw this afghan sample hanging there, and fell in love with it. It has a lot of lovely textures and colors. A fun combination of yarns. But it had wool and mohair in it. Kiss of death. She’s been thinking about it, though, for months. I told her I could get similar yarns without the animal fibers, and make it for her. If she buys the yarn. She’s been vacillating. Then she put the ball in my court. Let me decide. So, I decided. And, while I was there, bought yarn for it. 
Mom loves earth tones, mostly. But likes other things tossed in. That’s one of the reasons she was so attracted to the afghan. Here in this pile we have:
- Micro Chic from Gedifra, 3 balls—this stuff is so soft you wouldn’t believe it, feels like angora, but it’s all nylon
- Wigwam from Colinette, 2 hanks—one hank is golds and creams with a dash of blue, the other is rich plums, a little gold, and a dash of dark green, all cotton
- Summer Tweed from Rowan, 2 hanks—one hank is a rich medium gold, the other dark green, love the smell, 70% silk, 30% cotton
- Lungomare Magellano from Baruffa, 3 balls—off white, crimped texture, 55% cotton, and the rest is various synthetics
- Isis from Colinette, 2 hanks—magical at 100% viscose, super soft; one hank is mauves and greens, the other paler mauves with touches of light blue, pale green, off white
- Fandango from Colinette, 1 hank—mostly shades of gold with a few grays, and a touch of green, chenille, all cotton; this stuff is incredible
She’ll balk at the price of the yarn. But she’ll have something very special. Fabulous, really.
Yes, I did get those knitting needles I needed for the dickey for my uncle. I even re-started the knitting after I got home. Two rounds done. The shorter needles are perfect.
I saved my store credit to play with another day.