Pansies and Violets

I had hoped to have both yarn and finished projects to show, but difficulties with my hands slowed me down this year.  On the upside, I'm yarn ahead of my knitting, but I am so far behind on projects.

This braid was posted as the January, 2015, prize in Sweets Off the Wheel.  There was no chance I was going to win, and I just had to have it.

This is Pansies and Violets from Heavenly Wools.  It's 20 micron merino, and it is, indeed, heavenly.  

The colors remind me of a winter sunset

This was purchased to make a project for a special friend, who lived in Seattle at the time. She has since moved to warmer climes, but travels frequently.  I held on to this braid for a while, until I gained the confidence to spin it without messing it up.

Lots of bobbin shots, because the colors are just so clear and beautiful.

The New Zealand merino bloomed beautifully after soaking:

A little more blue than in real life

The sections didn't quite match up as I had hoped.  There are sections that match, sections that nearly match, and sections that are definitely barber poled. It will definitely stripe.  I have chosen a pattern with rays that I think will work well.  Time will tell, and it's going to take a bit for it to come together.

This is a little more realistic, color wise:

There was too much to ply onto one bobbin, and is this part of the second skein.  Two braids came out to a little over 1100 yards, and I am well pleased.  This turned out exactly as I wanted.