first?

Our bookkeeper @ work will be in the American Idol audience tonight Hi, Nadine!!!

Hellooooo Aimee :)

I voted for the first time on American Idol last night... for Blake. While, he isn't the best singer out of the bunch, he's the only one I would actually go to a concert to see.

and jillie :)

blake was interesting!

Hi Laurie! I think I should go buy a lotto ticket, it takes massive luck to be the first comment with all your readers.

I [heart] Blake. Oh yes, I do.

I like Patons Classic Merino for felting, but it's not chunky.

Hi Laurie, just wanted to let you know that your Roy visited me in my dreams and gave me a big cat hug. Thanks for the loan! Cheers, Olivia :-)

PS. I have my eyes closed fingers crossed as I hit the post button... last time I tried to post the comments broke...

I heart Evan.

I, too, like Blake. Even if he doesn't go all the way, (but I think he might), he will have a successful career. Same with Jordan and Melinda and LeKisha, all of whom I think could go all the way.

Bulky feltable wool -- just double-strand your Patons or Brown Sheep or Cascade 220.

There's always Burly Spun, but I think it's pricier than the craft store wools.

Lopi is feltable and bulky.

Love that the drycleaners are into the personal growth stuff. Very funny. By the way, when you are tired and ready for bed, that's when you are done doing nothing. Of course when you are bored and start cleaning, also very done doing nothing.

I remember Hobby Lobby carrying a worsted weight merino, but can't remember the brand for the life of me. Probably Patons.

Cascade 220 seems to be a favourite for felting.

A lot of stores carry Lamb's Pride, and they do make a bulky, feltable wool yarn

Happy Birthday Laurie's Mom!

I will join in the chorus of Blake supporters. He is too adorable for words.

I just read the Taurus Astrologerphyllisscope, it says "No matter what a Taurus’s budget, they usually manage to live the good life by using their resourceful ingenuity to find ways to surround themselves with comfort and elegance".

This is so true, and so well put.

I particularly like how she says "resourceful ingenuity" instead of "credit card".

Olivia

Who is cuter? Bob or Evan?

Bob is just far-out freakin' adorable with his bunny toy; but Evan is rockin' with the "cat that ate the canary" expression. Too sweet!

Ack, ROY, not Bob. Silly Laiane, getting teh kittehs all confuzzed.

Lilah Jo wants to say "Hey" to Bob, but she's worried he won't like her because she's a big girl!

www.houseof9lives.com

Happy Birthday to CAP'S mom!

Congratulations on your book!!

(you know, if I marry my boyfriend, I, too, will be 'Laurie Perry'. And I might just marry him so I can be a Laurie Perry too, 'cus you're just so damn awesome! oh, and he's pretty awesome too!)

i finally started watching that silly show after years of peer pressure, and that kid Blake totally sold me on that song. at first i thought "This is seriously teh suck. you can't do this to this song...." but he ROCKED it. i still think melinda's going to win, though, but Blake is seriously adorable. he's one of the few with genuine style.

Just to be all about me for a second, I kind of am sorry when you don't post earlier in the day because I miss the fix, but when you do post later in the day, I get that end-of-the-day (Eastern time) boost just when I need it! Thanks for a great kitty picture, too, I really needed it this week especially. Love the look Roy is giving you, like "What? What toy? I have no toy."

Oh the Roy face. must snuffle.

i have had great luck felting both reynolds lopi bulky and lamb's pride bulky. the lopi is scratchy as the bejeezus, but it's awesome for a felted bag or bowl or something, and it has the advantage of being cheap. the lamb's pride has a little mohair in it, so it's way softer to knit with, but it costs a teeny bit more. both come in MANY colors and are easy to find online.

that baby is SO CUTE!

KnitPicks.com has Wool of the Andes Bulky. I've heard good things about it. I agree with Angela in Ontario, Patons Classic Merino felts wonderfully and is carried at Joann, I think. You could hold 2 strands together...

Dude! It's Bon Jovi week on AI! I was soo excited! I love me the Jon-Jon. And even being such a fan of the music I was totally ga-ga over Blake's rendition! That's some good stuff right there.

And more Jon-Jon tonight!! Can the day BE any better! :) (oh wait, someone COULD hand me some chocolate ... that would be better ... but other than that all is good!) :)

Fluffy Roy Face = Extreme Cuteness

Hey Laurie! Double knit the Paton's Up Country(aka knit 2 strands together) on size 13s. That's what I do with Cascade 220. It makes it super dense!!! check out some of my handy work with cascade 220 Double knitted.
If you can't find a chunky one make it chunky I always say! :-)

Definitely double up your patons classic ...it felts beautifully. Also...what's American Idol? Is that the show that gets in way of watching House and Bones???
I heart Bob.

Blake Lewis is MY American Idol - I don't care if he gets voted off. My second favorite (cuz I know you really care) is Doolittle. Because she said, "I'm listening to Kirk Franklin. I gotta get my Jesus on." How can you not love that?

Boy, Laurie, you really know how to give us a stand-in for Horror-Scopes. My Cappy sign: "The Sun and Mercury in luxurious Taurus stimulate your love life and creativity and encourage you to express yourself....And Don’t Worry: Once all these lessons about cooperation and letting go of control are over, you’ll return to your Esteemed Take Charge Stance – and be even more powerful and adept."

Woo Hoo! I am looking forward to May, girlfriend. Thanks! (And a special thanks to Astrologer Phyllis1)

My favorite for felting is Kraemer Mauch Chunky. It comes in all kinds of gorgeous colors and felts awesome! Here's their website: http://www.kraemeryarnshop.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=37
I don't think Jo-Ann or Michael's carries it, but it's worth waiting for the shipping!

Lion wool felts, although it too is worsted.... so it would also be a double up. I can't think of anything bulky and feltable and major craft store available.
You totally make me jealous by the way, I am offically allergic to cats. I want cats. Can one be a serious knitter AND be allergic to cats?

Blake totally rocked the house last night! I was SO impressed with his talent and his voice. I'm so glad you mentioned him, because I don't have many friends who watch Idol. Heehee.

Well, its not carried at Michael's, but its still cheap - Lamb's Bride Bulky. Its got mohair in it - 15%.

Hi Laurie, It's the first time I've commented, but I read your blog like all the time. I've had great luck felting with Cascade 220 and 110(?). Lamb's Pride and Lamb's Pride Bulky also work well. There's one that sells at JoAnn, but I can't remember the name - it comes in tweed-y red and blue. I'll try and find the name. Noro Kureyon also felts beautifully, but it's not exactly cheap!

Michael's (at least in New Jersey) sells all these yarns: Patons Classic Merino, and it felts like anything and costs about 3.99. Patons SWS, which stands for Stripes with Soy, is a soy-wool blend that felts. And also Lion Wool, which is made for felting.

How about Crystal Palace Iceland?? I know that's not available at either store you mentioned but should be easy to find in local yarn stores.

I want to be in the middle of a Roy and Evan sandwich!!! They're both SO yummy!!

Big birthday hugs to Mama Purl!! (and you too, Laurie...just not birthday ones!)(at least not until next month) XoXoX

Paton's classic merino...and if you go to smiley's web stite, they have it on sale..limited amounts, but hey...a buck in your pocket,,,is a buck in your pocket! http://www.smileysyarns.com/
happy knitting!

Can I just tell you last night my daughter and I sat through Blake's performance with our mouths hanging open, and when he was finished we looked at each other and said "THAT WAS SO COOL!"

If he or LaKisha go home, I will be very upset.

Oh yeah, I have Lion Wool in my bag right now that I got at Michael's a few days ago. It's worsted, so not so bulky, but I think it was about $4-ish a ball. And it says "Perfect for Felting," right there on the package.

And, question for Bay Area people... any hermit-friendly stitching circles around here? I think I'm ready to leave the house now. Thanx.

How is Roy doing these days?

I loved Blake too--I voted twice for him--but I really thought Phil knocked it out of the park. I know he looks creepy but I just loved his rendition of "Blaze of Glory" (my favorite Bon Jovi song.) So I voted for him 4 times. Ach, these crazy Idols have driven this 38-year-old to learn the mad texting skilz!

Love that Roy!

Is it just me or does the Trader Joes only employ young pretty boys? Not that I'm complaining or anything. *L*

Auntie, try doubling the Patons Classic Merino Wool. There doesn't seem to be a feltable chunky/bulky yarn at the big box stores. Or try the Knitpicks stuff. At least, they'll deliver.

I agree with the other knitters: If you have to buy yarn at Michael's, etc. (it happens to the best of us) the Patons Classic Wool felts beautifully and works well doubled. The Lion Brand Wool (yes, that is it's name: Wool) is slightly heavier than the Patons and it felts really well, too.

Also - Evan is adorable.

I agree, double strand the Paton's classic wool - it felts BEAUTIFULLY, GORGEOUSLY. Honest!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjaknits/30813273/in/set-517875/

Just sayin'. I am one of the people who loves Blake. Embarrassingly.

Lambs Prides and Lopi, the lopi is scratchier...I am not sure if either are available at JoAnn's or Michael's, so this may not be much help.

HAPPY B-DAY MOM!

Happy Birthday Mama Purl!

I have no recomendations for the wool because I have never felted anything (on purpose) but I have been felt up a couple times. Woo Hoo!

{{{{Evan}}}}

{{{{Roy}}}}}

Am I done?

Have you tried the Happy Hooker store at Magnolia just west of Whitsett? That used to be the only place you could go for 100% wool yarn.

I once sent my mom a Mother's Day card that said, "Thanks for being like a mother to me." We laughed and laughed, but I still feel twinges of guilt over it.

Lamb's Pride all weights Felts great. Some one I think mentioned doubling up. Their Bulky and Burly is amazing too! Love the Roy pic!

Happy birthday to Laurie-Mom Laurie!

My felting didn't quite work so I don't have yarn thoughts for that; the hat still doesn't look like a hat. LOL

My mom used to say 'hurry up and wait..' - she said it was from her Navy WWII experience.

No Trader Joe's where I am now but when I lived near one....look but don't touch. Likewise the pool boy. sigh. Getting older sometimes sucks. On the other hand, most guys that dreamy looking are jerks so maybe it's for the best.

Heh. *I* could be an American Idol.

Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuu
Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuuu
Happy birthday dear Laurie's Mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

And I did THAT with no vodka at all!

I <3 Roy
I <3 Evan

And DRY CLEANING isn't dry!

Bernat's Lana is 100 % merino. Its heavier than the Paton's Classic too.
Do you guys have Bernat yarn there?

Oh, Roy. Maybe a "donate to the Evan Fund" button?

I *heart* Roy.

What did you think of Blake's dark hair and slight eye-liner?

I thought it kinda looked great. He's not my favorite, but I really liked last night's song.

All you A.I. fans, keep an eye out for the songwriting competition... the top 20 songs are being announced today, and I have entered a song... so if you see a song called "Becoming" by Steven Jones and Natalie Strong, please vote for us! I don't know why A.I. isn't publicizing the competition more, but we'll get the word out!

I know they have Lion Brand Wool at Michael's. It comes in a ton of colors and you can double-strand it if you want to knit it up on bigger needles. It even says on the lable "perfect for felting". :)

Jann, Allison has one of those buttons on her website, definitely! I keep sending folks there with hopes, you know...

Andree, Roy is doing okay, he's just so darn skinny. I did buy him that self-heating mat everyone mentioned when I got paid at the beginning of April. I put it in his crinkle cave and now he is in heaven, he loved that cave before but now it's his *warm* man cave LOL

Alison, I will look for the Bernat, too, thanks! And thanks everyone for the suggestions! I'm going to try a variety and see what works.

I totally agree with others -- Lamb's Pride Bulky is awesome for felting. (The double stranding would work, too.)

Love the blog -- I've been reading it FOREVER but this is my first comment.

Heh heh. You said "nether regions"

Love the horoscopes. Explains everything.

I have to put my .02 in:

I have another friend named Laurie Perry, so if Tai marries her boyfriend..I will then know of 3 Laurie Perry's. You should start a club.

I am too allergic to wool to be able to do anything with it. Is there such a thing as feltable yarn that does not contain animal hair?

The best feltable wool is Noro, but it's not bulky. [I have about eight felted Noro Boogie Bags].
Brown Sheep Bulky and Cascade 220 are both good bulky wools to felt. Lopi too, but it's a tad scratchy. Good luck!

oh, and happy b'day momma purl!

Laurie,

There's a yarn by Caron called Felt It that Michael's should carry. Patons SWS (Soy Wool Stripes) also felts well.

Shanda

I love that there are so many Laurie Perrys running around, if I mess up on something I will blame one of them ;)

I'm running to Michael's tonight, I'll keep my eyes open for all these awesome suggestions. I wish my LYS was open late but alas, just another act perpetrated by the man trying to keep a knitter down.

Holy crap! Roy isn't being assaulted with love by any females in this picture. Unless of course the fluffy bunny is female...

As for Blake, who doesn't love Blake? I mean, come on...Being a genius, I just cancelled my cable ($76.95 a month for something I never used seemed a wee bit excessive) so I'll have to rely on y'all to tell me who gets the boot. I'm really, just glad Sanjaya finally left. (Sorry, Sanjaya fans!)

I feel the desperate need to go buy yarn from Super Crafty now (cause I don't have NEARLY enough yarn!)to support Allison and Evan and their genetic cuteness.

'I particularly like how she says "resourceful ingenuity" instead of "credit card".' HAHAHA that is just brilliant, Olivia!

Cascade 128 is a bulky one that felts well. I don't think that they carry it at Michael's or JoAnns, but many Ben Franklins carry Cascade.

Hi Laurie, what kind of felt do you want? It makes a difference how much mohair there is in the yarn. Like Lopi makes a really hairy felt. I like a clean, not hairy felt so I use Lana D'Oro some Brown Sheep, Cascade.
Love you! Not a stalker!

I sent you an email last week saying that I saw Up Country on the Smiley's website...not sure if it's still there....here's a link: http://www.pagelinx.com/cgi-shopper/loadpage.cgi/smileysyarns/ezshopper?user_id=id&file=iriot.htm

Will this work? It's http://www.smileysyarns.com/ check out the Internet Sale section...good luck!

I haven't taken the time to read the comments, so this may be repetitive... I LOVE LOVE LOVE Felting!!!
From Michael's - Lionbrand has 2 good ones - Lion Wool (double strand it for chunky/bulky) - and Landscapes - it's got these brilliant acrylic colors spun in, but there's enough wool for it to felt and the acrylic makes these fantastic polka dots. If you have a minute, go to my blog (I haven't been posting lately, too busy (not writing a book!)) but look in my photo albums under Kitty Beds. There's a blue/grey one that is done in Landscapes. I LOVE THE WAY IT FELTS!!!

Cascade 220 is by far one of the best felting yarns out there that is reasonably priced from your LYS.

Patons ROCKS, but you know that.

If you surf my blog and see the brightly colored felting yarn (see the orange kitty bed) that yarn is some seriously awesome felting yarn, but needs to be double stranded and is about $8/hank. I can get it here and send you some should you want it. It is the best yarn I've felted with. Just not cheap.

OK... enough rambling about felting. Oh, how I heart felting!!!!

Cascade 220 felts BEAUTIFULLY. Not hairy.

Both Michaels and Joanns have feltable wool now. Sorry, I don't know the names of them. If they don't have bulky, you can try knitting two strands together.

Good luck!

Lion Brand Lion Wool felts beautifully. Double strand it if you want bulkier + use size 13 needles.

I e-mailed about the Patons Up-Country a couple of months ago too, that you can get some *there* as noted.

I don't watch TV so no comments on AI...

But I have said it before and I'll sayitagain...younger guys can rock! I'm sure not giving up mine. :D

Hi, Laurie!
I've made 80+ felted bags. And a few dozen pairs of those Fiber Trend clogs. I live in MS and there's not a yarn shop within 100 miles. *sigh* Oh, the point here. From Michael's, my favorite is Paton's Classic. As mentioned, double strand it for bulky wt. It makes a great fabric. The SWS felts beautifully, too, but it's faster than that girl Tammy from high school. (I bet you knew Tammy.) And both times I've used it, the bag has been WAY smaller than it should have been. So, if you choose that one, watch it carefully. The Lion Brand Landscapes is a bulky wt., with a really cool-looking fabric when you're done. The Lion Wool also felts well, but I only get it when desperate, because the cost per yard is way higher than Cascade or Lamb's Pride. I'm cheap, er, I mean frugal, like that. My favorite LYS-kinda' felty wool is the Lamb's Pride Bulky. The little touch of mohair gives a nice halo, and the fabric is soft, yet dense.

laurie,

both lamb's pride and lopi are on this site:
http://nakedsheep.com/bulkyweight.html

they ship quick! Lamb's pride has tons of yardage (sorry if someone wrote that before...i quick skipped through the commentathon)

<3 <3 <3

Jo Ann's sells their own brand of yarn -I forget the actual name-but it is their "house yarn" and they have several weights including a bulky-check it out! it's pretty nice and fluffylike, too!

Oh, thank goodness, it's not just me having that kind of week? I am considering cancelling my trip to Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival this Sat.(!!!!!) so that gives an idea of how bad it is.

I highly recommend the Lopi, and the price is along the lines of Michael's or Joanne's wool yarn. Great colors. Great feltability. Knits up very quickly. Hope you were able to find something tonight so you could satisfy that instant gratification urge.

Happy birthday to your mom. Hugs to Roy and Evan. Maybe another assault on Super Crafty is in order.

Brown Sheep's Lambs Pride Bulky!

Hi everyone, since a lot of you have been talking about American Idol, FYI, I personally laid hands on Chris Daughtry, and have a picture to prove it, if anyone wants to see it. He was in my office one day. (He has a nice butt).

Oh Honey, I'd marry Blake if he asked me...he's just adorable. He's been my favorite since the audition shows. I've never voted before, but I am from now on, I'm worried now that he's the only boy left!

By the way, am I the only one that thought that the Elvis and Celine Dion duet was incredibly cheesy?

Happy Birthday to your Mom!

I try to contain myself and not post compulsive Roy love comments, I really do ... but ... pictures of Roy make me weak. I love Roy. He deserves a gazillion fluffy bunnies, warming mats and crinkle caves. You're a great Mom. Woo Hoo Roy!

Is it wrong that I want to go all-Soba on Roy and snuggle him fiercely?? Nope, I'm really not a nutty stalker! Evan, adorable boy, also cries out for serious snuggles.

Laurie,
I just bought some Lamb's Pride feltable wool from Michael's and it is knitting up nicely. I agree with the earlier suggestion to double strand a worsted weight that you already like to get the bulky weight. However, if you can order online istead of going to Michael's I recommend Cascade's Eco-wool. A knitting friend of mine who knits and felts a lot purses loves it and it comes in a nice range of colors.
By the way, even before I saw your question about the wool, I was planning on de-lurking to say I really enjoy your blog, and congrats on the book!
Shannon

OOPS! It's Shannon again...I just realized that I typed lamb's pride when I meant to say Lion Brand.

You could combine 2 crafts in one and get some Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool (off-white) and dye it with Kool-Aid (or food coloring; tutorial on Knitpicks). One of the women in my knitting group made a muff (old-fashioned tubular handwarmer- get your mind out of the gutter!) with it and it came out beautifully. It's 8 ounces/240g for a reasonable price & 100% wool. Apparently the lanolin didn't interfere with the felting at all. You'd have to use 2 strands though, it's worsted wt.

I am soooo disappointed.

Here I was with a muff and some kool-aid...

You know how I am: I do my absolute best to avoid being able to tell one celebrity from the other (are Denise and Richie still celebrities, or are their 15 minutes up? no one's mentioned them in a while, at least in my hearing), but I can feel the Black Hole of American Idol tugging at me with its irresistible gravity. Resistance may be futile.

Speaking of which, I have *two* pairs of socks on the needles right now. Just so you know.

Taz totally sympathizes with Evan. He has seizures, and meds to control the seizures, and sometimes the meds do weird things.

You've gotten great yarn suggestions, but may I also suggest elann Peruvian Highland Chunky. I'd copy in the link, but it's about two paragraphs long. Click Mill To You on elann.com and you'll see it. Of course they only do mail order, but it's another option.

Michael's carries Lion Brand Wool, which felts beautifully and is only around $4.99 a skein (get those coupons out!!!). It's a worsted weight, though, so you'd have to use two strands together. I'd stay away from the JoAnn's Sensations brand of yarn because even though they say it's feltable...it's not (believe me, I KNOW!!!). And, if all else fails, Smiley's still has Up Country for $3.99, although the colors they have are a bit muted (I did get some of the khaki and soft cream and they work very well together. How could I pass up such a deal?!?!)

OK, I know you said you wanted yarn that is carried in lots of places, but I since I happen to have tons of Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool, I thought I would post about it. Recently, a weaver in my area decided to get rid of all her yarn and looms. After making four kitty pies with the rug wool, I decided to take the yarn off her hands. I have no idea what I was thinking I was going to do with all this yarn, but selling it is definitely in the cards because I still have to pay her for it! So, if you're iterested in getting some of this yarn for half of the retail price, let me know and I'll give you the particulars.

I favor reading your blog because for one you are in my age group. You actually have something to say about living life that is conveyed in a down-to-earth matter and in real language. You take yourself serious to a point and yet you can laugh at the rest of it along the way. I have enjoyed reading your journey and I look forward to reading more.

Bossy loves the dry cleaner sign. Milt & Edie's, huh? Weren't they a 1950s comedy team?

I am so having the same week as you.
It's kicking my butt. HOw about you?
Roy is sweet, and Evan is adorable. I may be biased, since I have an Evan too!

i love blake!

Oooo. I am so happy to hear that May is going to be a good month for us crabby folks. We really needed that after these last few months.

Now I have to decide which TJ's to hit. (There are two near me.) Hmmm. Think I have that decided. One seems to have many more hot looking staff members than the other. I'm starting to wonder if that's a job requirement there.

If you don't mind ordering online, Elann has a wonderful wool that felts beautifully, their Peruvian Highland Wool. It comes in worsted and chunky weights and tons of colors. They update the stock every so often, so if the color you want isn't available, just wait.

http://www.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=elann%2Ecom+Peruvian+Highland+Chunky&Season=&Company=&Cat=ALLY&ProductType=5&OrderBy=&Count=36

The best part is that it is super inexpensive!

Lion brand fisherman's wool is a nice felter but it only comes in the 'natural' color. You can dry Lion Brand Wool doubled for bulky,

What is wrong with a country that makes a mom have to find ways finance a surgery for a kid that sweet? that's just not right. Perhaps the yarn harlot could get her troops involved to raise the cash? And Roy! God I heart Roy so much. The Cutest Cat in the Universe!

Nothing original here, but I love Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky (solid colors). However, if you are thinking of anything that would go around your neck, it's kind of itchy. Also Lana Grossa Colore (painted colors). Both come in gorgeous colors, work up fast, feel wonderful in your hands.

Roy! You bowl me over with your continued, flawless cuteness.

Roy and Evan deserve lots and lots of snuggles!! :D

Happy, Happy Birthday, CAP's momma!

What is wrong with that dry cleaning business that they stay open 24/7/365?? I don't understand that. Nothing is sacred anymore.

Also, Bossy always cracks me up, heh.

Moment of Zen:

What is the sound of Evan being cute?

Yet also Roy is cute.

Each one different.

............

Laurie, does Evan's mom have a button for bloggers to link to her shop? We need to support her online shop.

Precious, wonderful kid. 'Scuse me while I go have me some Angry Soup because we are entitled to 24-hour semi-automatic gun access in this country, but, not health care for babies.

I love Patons SWS -- soy wool stripes, 70% wool, 30% soy. The colors are gorgeous, I think, plus the self striping element I still get a kick out of no matter how much I knit. It's available at Michael's. It may not be quite thick enough, however. I use a size 9 with 3.5 stitches + 4.5 rows = 1". Love your blog -- congrats on your book -- very impressive!

Blake Lewis needs no astrological enhancement to be a hotty :D)

Micheals and joannes carry lion brand wool that felts very nicely. im making a pair of the felted clogs with them.
Love yo blog...uh... dont tell stephanie, but i go to yours first. :D ---sara

The only thing I've felted with it Lamb's Pride, which works great in any weight. I want to do a handbag, though, and want something that will make a smoother fabric, so I'm taking notes of all the suggestions!

I'll have to go read the May forecast right now. I, too, am a Cancer (you might remember), and I am feeling distinctly un-hot these days! We don't have TJ here, but, being near a college, there's lots and lots of excellent "scenery". And my DH is pretty darn hot his ownself ... hm, I wonder if we can afford a babysitter next week?

hi laurie - an excellent bulkyish feltable yarn is this: http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/1148/ it's on sale - $14.50/ball down to $5.99!! i bought some to make the kitty pi bed. there are only two colors left at yarn.com but i'm sure you can find more elsewhere (they may not be on sale though).

How bulky? I have 2 skeins of Lamb's Pride Burly Spun available, in Oatmeal.

Okay, double commenting here, but ya' know, reading your blog comments makes me feel soooo much better = lots of Roy love out there! It's good to know I'm not the only obsessive Roy-Boy fan. Whew! Maybe the power of our combined Roy-loveness will save us and prevent a serious Soba smack-down on our heads, ya' think?

casting another vote for brown sheep bulky. it's bulky, it felts, it's not too spendy. but do be careful of the heather-y ones. they seem to be hairier and sheddier than the regular solid colors.

Perhaps it's already been mentioned, but Reynold's Lopi is fabulous for felting. Smiley's Yarns (http://www.smileysyarns.com) carries it at discounted prices.

Also...I noticed a new Lamb's Pride feltable at my local Michael's.

knitpicks.com has a yarn called "Wool of the Andes" (sounds impending, eh?) that is really really really affordable, comes in tons of beautiful colors and two different weights and felts like a mother. I know ordering online is annoying because of the whole OMYGOSHTHATFEDEXTRUCKTHATJUSTDROVEBYHASMYYARNINITANDICANTHAVEITYET moments, but it is totally worth it.

OMG I just heard that they cancelled the Gilmore Girls!!! They're won't be another season!!! And the last one is on the 15th!!!

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love how the tip of Roy's tail doesn't match the rest of him.

Our family loves Blake. We pretty much send him the love over the phone lines for at least an hour every Tuesday night. We are AI dorks, yes we are, and proud of it.

Lamb's Pride Bulky, baby! Felts like a dream and is cheap. Many colors.

I second Paton's classic merino for felting -- just double-strand it if you need bulky. (Or triple, depending, on how bulky you have in mind.)

It's on sale at Joann's 2 for $8 this week; the cheapest it ever goes on sale at the big craft stores is about $3.77 at Michael's, so $4 is a good price for stocking up. If you go to a big Joann's (I think their web site calls them superstores or some such), they have more colors. Also the larger Joann's have more of their own-brand yarns, which are great choices if you want a cheap alternative to the fancy stuff. Not as cheap as Paton's though.

Patons SWS. Mmmm...soft and felty... (That stuff is my yarn porn.)

Re: Wool of the Andes. Yes, it's awesome for felting. My first Kitty Pi was made with it. Just a warning though -- it felts QUICKLY, like in half a cycle in the washer. I'm glad I checked it halfway or else I would have wound up with a drink coaster.

Thanks, Laurie, for the photo of Sir Roy. He is such an elegant gent, he gladdens my soul with his soulful eyes.

Thanks, Laurie, for the photo of Sir Roy. He is such an elegant gent, he gladdens my soul with his soulful eyes.

Lauri, both Michaels and Joann's carry Patons Classic Wool. Also, Michaels carries Lion's Brand Wool (100% wool and very feltable, even though I haven't tried that brand yet!) Classic Wool sells for a fair price and is readily available; I love working with it. I also love Lamb's Pride, but that isn't usually available in the chain stores.

Good luck--

That is the cutest dang picture of Evan!! Roy's pretty cute too. Thank you for telling us about Evan's struggle, I will help however I can.

Crikey, I hadn't thought about "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" in years. I think that book probably changed my life, here in crusty old England where parents didn't talk about things like *that*, you know... Although, not being *quite* as old as Margaret clearly was, I was always a bit confused by the "supplies" she bought coming with a belt and having loops on the ends and all... I wonder if they've updated it to be press-on "supplies" with wings these days. The belt/loop thing must be totally lost on today's teenagers.

Anyway. Rambling. Sorry.

Just have to whine... I just can't handle waiting until October for your book. It's almost unbearable. Waaaa.

WELL.. I can get 100% wool that will felt wonderfully.. 400 grams for about $23.00 - of course, I'd have to buy it and mail it to you- it comes in a wide variety of colors- made in New Zealand. *THE only problem is that you can only buy the yarn by the package of 400grams of one color. I made Christmas ornaments out of it- and it worked great. SO, it depends on what you want- how much/etc.

Postage is the same as if I lived in the USA..

have you put any homegrown catnip into a home knitted toy for the kitties? that would be very green of you! ;o)

My G-d, that child is the cutest!

you could double up on lionbrand fisherman's wool. plus it's fun to kool-aid dye. in any case, it's cheap-ish and felts nicely.

Lion Brand makes good wool yarn. I agree with others about doubling up on the yarn. I have this love for bulky knitting and love to tie two strands together and make something quick out of it.

I am so with you on Blake! I think he could surprise us all!

LOPI. Comes in a bunch of different weights, including bulky, and a bunch of purdy colours. Love the Lopi!