Art, Like Bread: From Stashin' to Fashion

Etna yarn by Mondial

I bought about 9 balls of this gorgeous, pink-purple variegated, Italian yarn at 75% off in a posh local yarn shop. Because it was thin (sport weight or a little lighter), I had intended to use it on a project from Crochet So Fine by Kristin Omdahl.

So, what's the problem?

The problem revealed itself when I tried to crochet the sport-weight yarn. This yarn is lively. It's springy. Drape is not part of this yarn's repertoire. The construction is difficult to explain, but let me try. It is a cotton (66%), nylon (32%), metal (2%) blend. Imagine the nylon as a sheath surrounding a core of cotton. The metal is interwoven in the nylon.

I wished to make the beautiful, simple, elegant Sprout Chains Shawlette by Kristin Omdahl, but when I started stitching, I just got more and more frustrated.

Can you see why I was frustrated?

Was blocking going to help this mess? (And it was a HOT MESS.)

I felt it was a cape worthy of a poodle, but I myself had no desire to emulate poodle style, no matter how adorable my dear, sweet doggie is.

After stashing the yarn away, and wondering what the heck I could do with it for months, I had a brainwave! What would happen if I combined the problematic fiber with an easy-going cotton? I had about 3 spare balls of Omega Trigo, which is available in Mexico. It was already in my consciousness because I had forced myself to "finish" my Lacy Cropped Cardi by Robin Chachula. For the entire traumatic story (which starts in 2009) see my Ravelry page.

But I digress. I put together the Trigo and the Etna, and magic happened. The yarn was thick enough to complete the Gypsy Duster by the Double Stitch Twins. The color combination was beautiful. I had a problem with the pink alone. Could I bear an entire sweater out in that pink mess? The lavender mellowed it out and also gave it enough weight to have a beautiful drape.

Voila!

In addition, the pattern was quick and the beautiful open weave made the color not too overpowering. The subtle glint of the metal gave it just enough shine. I felt like I had won the crochet lottery!