My Favorite Yarns - Jeannie's pick

Friend-of-the-shop Jeannie frankly admits she's into instant gratification. "I only knit with chunky yarns. I don't have the patience to do projects on small needles." One exception: Manos Silk Blend, especially in a subtly variegated mossy shade called 'Olive.' Despite having a gauge of 5.5 stitches per inch on US 4 needles, she can't resist its soft feel in the hand, and beautiful colors. "I like 'woodland' shades: browns, grays, dark greens."

Two of Jeannie's favorite yarns are Dream in Color's 100% merino Groovy (formerly 'Fatty') , and Berroco's Peruvia Quick (100% Peruvian Highland wool). Right now, the shop is displaying examples of her 'quick results' knitting: two versions of the "Einstein Coat" out of Sally Melville's book The Knit Stitch. Jeannie knit the long model from Peruvia Quick, and the short from Groovy.

With her fondness for autumnal shades and aversion to most non-wool yarns, spring and summer are not Jeannie's best knitting seasons. We caught up with her helping to prepare some Tahki Classic Cotton yarn in light, summer shades to go out on the shelf. "This is not me," she admitted.