Awesome, very helpful.  Thanks so much!  I'll give it a try

It can be cheaper for small items to make your own; when you get into sweaters and larger items it can also be cheaper, if you get your yarn in bulk somehow (Goodwill or buying mill ends or something).  Acrylics are definitely cheaper, but do not make as quality of fabric as the more expensive yarns do. 

The best thing about knitting your own is that you can adjust the size to yourself!

Hello everyone!

I'm about to start working a hat pattern that I got on Ravelry (the pattern is Le Dane by Particules Particules).  I looked over the pattern before I started, and I'm a bit confused by the decrease portion of the hat.  Here is the pattern as written:

(working 96 sts in the round on circular needles)
Decrease:
Round 1: *k2tog, k8* repeat until 4 sts remain; k1.
Round 2-4: K around.
Round 5: *k2tog, k7* repeat until 3 sts remain; k1.
Round 6 (and all even rounds): k around.
Round 7: *k2tog, k6* repeat until 2 sts remain; k1.
Round 9: *k2tog, k5* repeat until 1 st remains; k1.
Round 11: *k2tog, k4* repeat until 2 sts remain; k1.
Round 13: *k2tog, k3* repeat until 3 sts remain; k1.
Round 15: *k2tog, k2* repeat until 2 sts remain; k1.
Round 17: k2tog around.


The part I am having difficulty with is what to do with the (1, 2, 3, 4) stitches that remain.  I can't just ignore them until the end, as I'm working in the round.  do I slip them and not knit them?  Do I knit them?  They have to go somewhere and I can't figure out where.  I cast on and tried working the decrease but it isn't making sense to me.

Thanks in advance!  Much appreciated

I *know* I'm a day late, but here are some of the yarns I've made lately!

I primarily use my wheel.  I love making art yarns, and they are somewhat difficult to do on a spindle.  I also started on a wheel, and though I've learned to use a spindle, I haven't spent enough time with them to not feel somewhat clumsy when I use one.

Ohhhhhh, you got PURPLE 

I've been trying for *ages* to get purple with Wilton's!  How'd you do it?? Usually it splits into pinkish and blueish because of the acidic conditions. 

Yes, yes, yes!  A spinalong is a great idea   I'm actually done spinning yarns for my scarves at the moment, but they're finally (slowly!) coming together.  I actually lost one of the three yarns I am using in this scarf and I've *got* to find it but I don't know where else to look Moving is killer sometimes.

Spinning so much 3-ply yarn sounds ridiculously tedious.  You're much more patient than I!

SewMamaLady: The white yarn is a combination of unidentified wool roving and cotswold locks.  It's got a lovely halo.

CatieLove: That yarn is GORGEOUS knitted up like that!

Hey guys!  I just put together a treasury on Etsy of amazing handspun yarns!  Check it out at http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c42a121c9fe8eef076d8f18/handspun-yarns (but hurry - they expire after 3 days!)

I have yarns this week! 





And check out these dropspindles I made!  They're lightweight and just *perfect* for laceweight yarn.




SpecialKRJ: I never set my twist with steam; instead, I dunk my yarns in lukewarm water and let them air-dry on a hanger (no stretching).