Thursday, December 20, 2007

Oh No(ro) She Didn't!!

Oh yes I did. I have fallen again really hard for one of my first loves. A certain Japanese yarn has been calling my name over the last few weeks, and I am powerless when subjected to its seductive siren song. Noro. Say it with me again: No-ro. Those two syllables combine to make a lovely mellifluous music that have lulled me into a yarn trance and caused me to spend a lot of my Christmas money (How sad that at my age, that's still a concept. But there you have it. Even sadder, I haven't even received it yet and I'm already spending it!). I've already shared my recent Cash Iroha binge. The hemorrhaging of cash did not stop there. However in my defense I haven't just been buying, I've also been actually knitting with it. I even have a FO to show for my tawdry misdeeds. But let's start with the purchases:
Noro Kureyon sock yarn
Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn, color S164

No, your eyes are not deceiving you, those are two skeins of the incredibly sought-after Noro Kureyon sock yarn. What's it like, you might be wondering? In one composite word: mind-blowing. Yes, that about sums it up.
Noro Cash Island
Noro Cash Island
New also around these parts is Cashmere Island or 'Cash Island' as it's known in the biz. The name alone suggests fantasy and mystery. I am so excited to have found this, and cannot wait to make something special out of it. Any suggestions?

Noro  Iro, color 72
Finally on my list is Iro. Wow this is luscious. Really I just want to stare and stare into it. Luckily I was able to break out of its spell long enough to actually make something with it. James suggested a Mistake Rib scarf as a super quick project, and boy was he right. Such an appealing pattern, and the Iro is so, so lovely.
Mistake Rib scarf in Iro
The Specs:
Pattern: Mistake Rib Scarf, by Wendy
Yarn: Iro, color 72, one skein
Needles: size 9
Time: 2 days from start to finish
Mistake Rib scarf in Iro
So tell me, which Noro yarn is number one with a bullet in your world?

33 comments:

Karen said...

Oh so pretty!!!! And if you've already knit up some of it, buying it no longer counts as bad behavior. And it was Christmas money too, so you get a big green light.

I have (gasp) never knit with Noro. I have one skein of Kureyon in my stash that I got for Christmas last year . . . just need to settle on a pattern for it. And yes, I'm pining for the Kureyon sock yarn.

Olga said...

The sock yarn! The sock yarn! Gimme! Gimme! Forget my front teeth, give me Noro for Christmas.....

Laura said...

I have a feeling that the Noro sock yarn is going to be my numero uno!

YawnOver said...

Like karen, I have also (gasp) never knit with Noro. And get this - I have nary a skein of it in my stash. (It's been Malabrigo all the way for me lately.) That Cash Island is sweet stuff though; can't wait to see what you do with it.

Kim said...

I'm currently in the throes of a Noro binge. First is a Noro Striped scarf with Silk Garden. Tonight, I'll finally get to see some of the Noro sock yarn in person and will buy some! Aside from that I have enough Kureyon in the stash for at least 2 sweaters and an Argosy Wrap. Love your Iro scarf. I made a hat for grandma last year with some Iro. I love me some Noro!

Chronic Ennui said...

Oh, wow, I was not only drawn in by all the fiber but by your seductive writing. I needed to look away from the computer for a moment to compose myself.

I have not yet used the Noro sock, but I have sent some to a faraway land... I can't wait to hear some reviews. The Mistake Rib looks awesome...

Liz said...

I just got my Noro sock yarn a couple of weekends ago and I have to say, it is the most glorious yarn I have ever seen in terms of color. Everytime I pick it up and start knitting, I have a hard time putting it down because I just HAVE to see what it's going to do next with the color.

Can't wait to see what you're going to do with yours!

sophanne said...

Girl, in my small world of blog/ravelry knitting friends, you reign supreme in stash enhancement.

I covet your stash and anything you may add to it. I thought I had the market on reckless abandon...damn.

Veronique said...

Oh, Noro! It's hard to pick just one... Though I'd have to say that I have not seen the Noro sock yarn in person, which makes it drool-worthy. Also, I paw through every yarn store's stock of Silk Garden in a never-ending search for the 2 perfect colorways for a BrooklynTweed scarf.

Yarnhog said...

I have an ongoing love-hate relationship with Noro. I love the colors. I hate the feel. And I'm not just talking about Kureyon (which you could easily use to clean the oven). I was sorely disappointed in the misleadingly named "Silk Garden", which could more aptly be called "Nettle Field". I am currently working with Kochoran, which, with its silk and angora content, should really be much softer than it is. Those must have been tough little bunnies. But I'm withholding judgment until after the first wash.

Sarah said...

I have to admit that I've never knit with Noro. Most of it I find to be too rough, and Silk Garden is a no-go because I'm allergic to mohair. I'll be interested to hear how the sock yarn knits up, though.

peaknits said...

I can't wait to hear what you think of the sock yarn - I so want my own skein of #95! It's my favorite shade of Kureyon - I have been working on Kolenya mitts in Kureyon - need to get more of course:)

Lolly said...

Noro is one of the only yarns that I have actually dreamt about - nothing touches it in terms of color gradations. It is an amazing yarn - and I have even come to love the "bits of nature" in the yarn too. I loved working with the Silk Garden lite and the Silk Mountain earlier this year... and enjoyed some of the other lines in earlier days. This sock yarn may be an exception to my Local 2008 resolution...

a friend to knit with said...

i can't even believe i am about to tell you (why do i feel the need to tell you everything?) but i have NEVER knit with NO RO!
nope never. nada. i touch it everytime i go into a yarn store. but never, nope never have i even bought any! i know. shameful!
lovin that scarf. look! still time to knit it for someone! :)

WonderMike said...

Oh No Ro!!!! Yes, I bought not one, not two but THREE skeins of the Noro Sock yarn. Yuuuuuuummmmmmm!

Knittymuggins said...

OMG. That first Noro sock yarn (yeah the one with the pink and green!) is to *die* for! You are one lucky lucky chickie. I guess we know who was on the "nice" list this year ;)

knittymuggins

tiennieknits said...

Oooohhhh....niiiiiceeee!

Alison said...

Love the colors in the second pic! And, well, the first ones are pretty nice too... you are such an enabler...

Happy knitting-
ali

Anonymous said...

Mind-blowing indeed! I received a beautiful parcel today from a dear friend - Chronic Ennui [above] that contained some Noro sock yarn in the most amazing colour. Pure love.

Nora

nicole said...

Oh Noro sock yarn, how I covet thee!

It's obviously gonna be a very Merry Christmas in the ADD house. Lucky girl!

nova said...

I am intrigued with the sock yarn. My problem with Noro, and I now know it's a problem.... I can not manage to get past the staring in wonderment stage to actually knit it. I need to get over this. Hey, didn't you just destash?! Oh, it was to add the Noro...I get it.

Dove Knits said...

Y'know, I've never tried Noro.

Jessica said...

I remember a friend making a sweater entirely out of Iro and it was amazing. Nice purchases!

KnitPastis said...

Oh yes, the colors are fabulous!!
I have never knitted with this yarn. I feel it in a yarn shop long ago. One lady purchased about 15 skeins of it that day. Something I will never forget. She was making a blanket with it.
Can't wait to hear what you think of the sock yarn.

Lone Knitter said...

We have the same tastes! I was in love with the two skeins of Noro sock yarn you got, and I eventually bought the first. I haven't gotten mine yet. :(

Anonymous said...

Yes that Noro is hard to resist! I am knitting 3 scarves at the moment and have another 2 types of Noro yarn in reserve for other projects - I just can't get enough of it! Oh, for unlimited cash flow to indulge on a grand scale!

Angela said...

I, too, fell. Last night when I should have been going to bed I was on the computer buying 3 skeins of Noro sock. I am exitied (about the yarn) and annoyed (with myself.) I do not need any more sock yearn and yet I cannot help myself! Have a great Christmas!

Turtle said...

Ph so pretty! I love Noro, you can never go wrong with the color blends!

i received your yarn yesterday! Thank you so much....may have to start on it this week! Been finishing many projects!

Twisted Knitter said...

You are my sister in stash enhancement my dear! Noro is at the top of my list for 2008. I have queued up some great patterns using the Kochoran, Iro and Silk Garden and can probably be persuaded to buy a small fortune's worth of Cash Island were the right pattern to come along.

And . . . you bet I'm using my Christmas money for it!

LOVELY Iro scarf with the shot of bright green.

Sourire11 said...

I have to admit. I've never used Noro. The SHAME!!! The HORROR!!!! I'll make sure to use some of my Christmas money to remedy this problem....

hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday!

kelp! said...

Oooh, I love that second skein of the sock yarn! I encourage you to knit it first...

~Kristie said...

I'll be interested to hear how you like knitting with the Noro sock yarn. I've seen some interesting reviews about it lately.

I've only knit with Noro once, so I don't have a #1 Noro yarn. I know, it's shocking.

Telefonid said...

Nice! So nice!