What Yarn Should I Knit With?

I looked through my stash this morning, hoping to find just the right yarn to use for the Elliebelly Knit Along, which starts August 13 — next Saturday.  And of course, I was immediately overcome with all the different possibilities.  I forced myself to pull just a few out, and I'm going to spend the next few evenings looking at possible patterns for them so I can be all ready to cast on in time for the start of the Knit Along.

It was lots of fun doing a bit of stash tossing, and I thought I would share my candidates with you. I would appreciate any ideas you have about patterns they might work with, so please chime in with a comment!

I've got just one skein of this Silk/Merino heavy worsted weight yarn in Copper Patina.  This was my first test skein for the colorway, and I love it — swatched it eons ago, but since I've just got the one skein, I've never found a good use for it.  I'm not even sure what the base yarn is — I think I bought just the one skein from KnitPicks right when they opened.  It's a nice yarn.  I wish I could identify it!  Possibly enough yarn here for mitts or a small baby/child item.

Next I found these four skeins of Premium British Merino in the Crayon colorway.  This yarn is heavenly and I have never knitted with Crayon (one of those shoemaker's children going barefoot issues, I suppose).  Perhaps a vest for Ollie, although I wonder if at almost 9, his dignity would be challenged by the bright colors and the purple?  This yarn is definitely a contender.

Alpaca.  One of the true loves of my life!  This is "Eco" and I have about 3.5 skeins, having started to swatch it only to have the swatch commandered by Ollie who insisted on mitts.  Maybe I should knit him a hat and a scarf to go along with the mitts, or a vest?  This is a heavy worsted weight, so I don't think I've got enough left to do a sweater.

One skein of my favorite worsted weight Organic Merino, being held by one of my favorite people.  This is likely enough for a newborn sweater, and I have a neighbor due with her third child this fall.  It would also make a cute little shrug for a slightly older child.  And, I love how the colors dance along this yarn.

This is a stunning, worsted weight blend of Silk and Seacell.  It's dyed in the Paintbrush Variation of Crayon, which on this yarn developed as a soft, subdued colorway.  It's been sitting on my desk since I dyed it a couple of months ago, because I couldn't bear to stash it away.  I've got about 500 yards of this yarn — it's itching to become something beautiful and I can't wait to knit with it.

Here is my last option.  Five skeins of undyed, aran weight 100% silk, waiting to be dyed.  It could be anything from the most luxurious baby blanket ever to, well, I guess just about anything.  I love how it feels.  It would be an incredible pleasure to knit with.

There are the choices.  What do you think?

I hope you will join me, starting next Saturday, as we cast on for the Knit Along.  Use your Elliebelly yarn and knit any pattern you choose.  You can find more info on my Ravelry Group or by following this blog, and, of course, you can always include any questions in the comments here.  So, get your yarn and your pattern lined up, and let's get started!