Favorite yarns and spring knitting

Even though its still the middle of February this week it as being acting a lot like spring around here, so its got me to thinking about what I would like to knit for spring. Now I know Idaho weather can change on a dime. We could have a foot of snow next week, but I am hopeful just the same. As you may remember this year I have been working on things that I can show at the state fair later this year, so with that in mind I have been thinking of my big spinning and knitting project. What I would like to do this year is spin the yarn to knit a gansey. I have 3 pounds of roving in a spice color and I think I have a pattern picked that will work with the roving. So next week I plan to get started on the spinning while I finish up a top down cabled sweater that I have been working on. I think I will have the cabled sweater finished when the yarn is ready for the gansey. I plan on making a three ply that is about a Dk weight. So look for pic to come.

Every time I get asked about what is your favorite yarn, I first say it all depends on what I'm working on. I have say first and for most I really do love to knit with my handspun. With each new skein my spinning gets better and better. But when it comes to store yarn I do have a list.
For discloths I really think there is nothing better then Sugar and Cream http://www.sugarncream.com/ it has a great feel and the colors are just great.
Now when it come to socks I can't pick just one. I really like plymouth Happy feet
http://www.plymouthyarn.com/index.php?nav=cYarn.yarnDetail&yarnid=000284&searchcollection=000005&pattern_id=001887#pattern-tab

I also really like Araucania multi sock yarn, for that matter I really like the worsted and the chunky too.
www.araucaniayarns.com
I also like Mountain colors bearfoot
http://www.mountaincolors.com
and Jitter bug
www.colinette.com
Each one of these sock yarns have a great feel and I just love the colors. I also have in my stash some socks that rock and some of the new sock yarn from Berroco. I haven't knit with either of them yet so I'm not sure how they will work out, I'm sure they will be great.
When it comes to a DK weight in my opinion there is nothing better then Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool. http://www.yarnbarn.com/yarn/colorcard.asp?partNo=KY-ELV-SILKY. I love the colors and its feel. Its just a wonderful yarn.

When it comes to a worsted weight yarn I really love Plymouth's Galway. This yarn is soft enought to knit a sweater with and not feel scatchy. I can feel the tags on a Tshirt so I know about scatchy. It also felts wonderfully,even the white. http://www.plymouthyarn.com/index.php?nav=cYarn.yarnDetail&yarnid=000110&searchcollection=000005

When it comes to a bulky I really love Cascade's Eco wool. The yardage is huge 487 for about 15 bucks. Its really soft and knit up wonderfully.http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-eco.asp

Now every once in awhile a person needs a special yarn so I would have to say my fav in that area is Silk purse from Alchemy yarns. www.alchemyyarns.com . Really anything from Alchemy is totally cool. I have worked with just about all her yarns and I just love them. I have no idea how she comes up with such great colors but I really glad she does.

Lastly a new one that I have really like has been plymouth's Suri Merino. I have been looking at this yarn for almost a year at my LYS and I finally pick up some and I just love the feel. I chose a dark plum and I think it will work up just great. http://www.plymouthyarn.com/index.php?nav=cYarn.yarnDetail&yarnid=000183&searchcollection=000012

SO for now these are my favorite yarns but I do have to confess I may not stay true to them as it seem that there is always a new yarn to try out that has just arrived at the LYS.