If any of you are doing the Apparition Mystery and don’t want to see pictures, don’t read any farther. I have never worked with lace weight yarn before and it doesn’t help that the yarn the designer has recommended is all from Germany or England or Austria . . places way far away from Texas! They’re recommending 100% Tussah Silk yarn. I had ordered Miss Babs Yearning which I think is 65% merino wool and 35% Tussah silk but it seems not as sleek or smooth or maybe as shiny as the other all silk or partial silk yarns.
Yarn for Apparition
After spending hours and hours going through beads and yarn, I came up with this yarn, the Miss Babs Yearning in the color Faded and there are four possibilities for beads. I decided to go with #2 for the beads but once the first clue for the pattern was released, I just wasn’t loving this yarn for this project. I wanted to keep up with the clues and not get behind so I had to find a yarn here. I had some Juniper Moon’s Findley, which is 50% merino and 50% silk so I decided to try it and I love it. I’m so glad I switched! Here’s the progress I made. Clue #1 is done!
Apparition
Those beads are just on the tail of the yarn . . none are knitted in yet. Here’s a closer view.
Bead Choices
I think I like the bottom beads better but I don’t think I’m going to be able to find any more of those. I’ve searched online and am coming up empty. I don’t mind the top beads and I think they’ll look fine. I just like the bottom beads better! The next clue doesn’t come out til the 6th (I think) so maybe by then, some of the bead shops will have the bottom beads restocked. I have 370 beads here and I have another bag of 370 beads on its way but, according to the pattern, I need “just under 800 beads” and I’m afraid 740 is not “just under 800”. I’ll figure something out!
wanda j says
Well why not use some of both. I like them both and the contrast makes the darker ones easier to see I think. But not knowing what finished product looks like it is only my 2 cents worth. Maybe could use just one dark on in the middle of 6 light ones. If can’t find use combonation is the only suggestion I see .
needleminder says
Not that it matters a bit, but I like the darker beads better ?. I guess I figure if you’re going to go to the trouble of knitting with beads, you’ll want them to be seen!
Judy Laquidara says
Of course it matters! 🙂 One minute I like the darker beads and the next minute I like the lighter beads. My thinking right now is that since there are 800 beads, that’s a LOT of beads and the darker might be overpowering in that number but I’ve seen a lot of people who are planning to use beads that really stand out. I’ll have to see what I’m thinking when it gets time to put the beads on. The decision may be based on which beads arrive first. I think, in the end, I’ll be happy with whichever beads I decide to use.
Mary says
Lovely choice!
Judy Laquidara says
Thanks!
Carmel says
I had the same thought as the other reader… perhaps use a combination of both beads… could add interest and depth to the finished product.
Erin says
What are the beads I have two stores here I can check for you email me ??
Penny in CA says
What you have knitted so far is truly lovely ~ I like your new choice of yarn & the color is especially beautiful! I prefer the lighter beads! I love that you share all your projects ~ your knitting is amazing!