Thursday, April 03, 2008

Hmmmm....

So, I've had some money sitting in my Paypal account for several weeks and I finally decided that I was going to indulge in a few skeins of luxury yarn to make a special wrap. I ordered some Hand Maiden Silken in Cedar and have spent the last week deliriously debating whether I wanted to use it for a Clapotis or the Tuscany Shawl from No Sheep for You.

I've been really excited because the color appeared to be a perfect blend of saturated greens as you can see here. "Appeared" being the key word in that sentence because when the yarn arrived today and I sat down to open it with all the devotion and attention it deserved, I was surprised to see this...

Silken

"Oh my... this isn't really the color I was expecting."

At which point my 5 yo looks over and asks, "You mean poop?"

Sigh.

I know that internet photography can be a tricky thing... and I really should've checked the return policy (there is none... "All sales final") before dishing out that kind of cash so shame on me. I also realize that I'm really slamming my chances of selling this fine yarn in cyberspace when I use the word "poop" in the description... but, well... what does a 5 year old know, right?

Ahem. Anyway, this evening I pulled it out again and tried draping it around my neck in a variety of rooms for different lighting. I made my 13 yo son follow me around for his input (which, of course, was useless), then attempted a series of self photos (as my 13 yo had become a hostile witness by this point) with it draped around my neck hoping to a better idea of how the yarn would knit up into a wrap. This resulted in some of the most hideous self photos I've ever taken in my life. The wee bit of vanity I posess required cropping of said photos before posting.

Silken

I was actually a bit intrigued by the colors when they were draped in this manner... but I'm concerned it was only because they distracted me from my sagging neck skin that plagued my photos.

Silken

So... what say you? These pictures are pretty accurate color wise. Is the color unique and interesting? Or do you think JoJo was right? Or maybe you're interested in a good deal on some Silken in a lovely shade of "Cedar"?

Either way, your honesty is sincerely requested because my slightly obsessive mind is going to have a field day over this until I resolve what to do. What if it's a very interesting, classy color that will make a great Clapotis and I just don't know it?

And Julie, if you read this, know that I will be stalking you early tomorrow morning to appeal to your expert eye for color.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

cedar is one of the colorways I'm afraid of because of how different it sometimes looks. Moss is the same way - the skein I have is a pretty apple green, but I've seen it look pretty sickly before. For the record I think it's pretty, but it looks nothing like the photo you linked to. The question is what will you be happy with? That's an expensive yarn to keep if you aren't thrilled. I'm certain you could destash it easily - it's a nice neutral color.

Anonymous said...

I actually think it's very pretty!

sophanne said...

I also think it's pretty and would use the word "classy" to describe it as opposed to poop.

Anonymous said...

Don't put that much work into something you don't love. Life's too short for that. If you list it on ebay, you'll get almost what you paid for it. There are so many gorgeous colors of Sea Silk.

Anonymous said...

I'm with the others - destash it if you are not happy with it. What is they say, "One mans garbage is another mans treasure" or something like that :-)

Amy said...

After reading your blog and seeing all of your finished projects you post here, I say de-stash it. It just doesn't look like you or the colors you usually choose for your projects. I agree with Maria, life is too short to invest that much money and time in something that isn't exactly what you wanted.

Olga said...

well, 'poop' is a bit harsh. To me, it seems abit bark like in color, silvered brown maybe.

km said...

Well, I thought it was a pretty bronze until I scrolled down to the 'poop' comment. I'd say try to start a clapotis since they early rows are short and go so quick. You'll get an idea of what a FO could look like, and then if not, a destash could be in order. I don't think trying to knit with it would hurt your destash too badly.

Yarnhog said...

I think it's beautiful! No resemblance whatsoever to the picture. Zero. And that always ticks me off. But if you don't call it "cedar" (or "poop"), it's a gorgeous sable color, which probably looks awesome with your dark hair.

Alison said...

Have you tried contacting the store? Because the photo is so different than the actual product, they may allow a return as an exception. You must have green eyes if I had to take a guess. I love the color of green on the web site but would have been mortified to have opened an eagerly awaited box to find "poop" within. Love your blog, your family keeps me sane. I have three daughters, no sons and have always wondered what it would be like to raise a boy.

Anonymous said...

I say send it back if you're not happy with it. Maybe they can find you a greener skein? Life's too short and knitting time too precious to make something that you're not sure that you'll like. This has happened to me before and I didn't fret about it. I just moved on with something else!!!

Good Yarns said...

Gone to Hume, so I'll have to see the gorgeous color when I return on Monday. ;)

amanda said...

I think it's a really pretty color, but if you're going to always think poop when you see it and never like it, then return it or destash it. Just trying to give practical advice!

lahodges said...

Tammy, call them. It's not even close to the color on their website. They should be willing to exchange it. You didn't buy the wrong thing, their picture just isn't a good representation. This is why I shop at The Loopy Ewe. Everything is exchangeable. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful color. But you are already not happy with it, and knitting it up is not going to make you like it any better.

Sarah said...

That is nothing like the picture. At. All. I'd be pretty annoyed too. No wonder there's an all sales final if that's how wrong it looks :(

I'd try to exchange it with them or list it for sale elsewhere. I think it's pretty but it's very very different from what I think of as "you". What a let down!

5elementknitr said...

I love the color! I think it's more subtle then the green from the Little Knits photo.

I also adore Little Knits - they have the greatest customer service ever. It's usually the owner herself who calls to help out.