This is a very sad story about a lady who, quite suddenly decided to play her ukulele again. It was great! Fun! Plink, plink! It was funny to her, how it never sounded exactly right, even though she had a good ear, and the instrument was tuned perfectly.
Then she played a good ukulele, one that cost more than $24.99. Quite a bit more, in fact. She should never have done that.
(Okay, I've ridden the third person as far as I could. Back to first.)
It turns out I actually don't suck as much as I thought on the ukulele -- it's just that a better instrument is... better. Who knew? In writing, a pen is a pen, and no matter how much I tell myself a better computer will make me a better writer, I know it won't. But after playing my crap-tastic high-action Mahalo all day yesterday (and playing some really great songs with Lala on the bass last night), I'm DYING to get a real ukulele.
Unfortunately, this month, as I've said, has been rather calamitous to cars, animals, and our bank account.
So what do musicians do when they want a new instrument? (I know this from being married to one.) They sell an instrument!
What do knitters do? They have a yarn sale!
Woot! Here we go! (EDITED TO ADD - ALL SOLD OUT! WOOT! I GOT A UKE!)
(Lots sold together, please -- email yarnagogo@gmail.com if interested. Paypal is easiest, I think. I can get the yarn in the mail the day after you buy it! Shipping charges combined on multiple purchases, of course.)
I'm starting with my favorite, the stuff I've never been able to let myself let go: The Cascade Indulgence. Sigh... Remember it? The softest stuff in the world. These are the old, double-sized skeins. They were originally $18, I got them at $16 on sale. I'm selling them for $12 each.
Lot 1: 6 complete skeins (1 rolled into 2 balls) Cascade Indulgence (70% Superfine Alpaca, 30% Angora), color 517, 100 grams, 246 yards, 5st/in on US 7. $12/ea = $72 + $5 shipping. SOLD!!! :)
Lot 2: 4 skeins Cascade Indulgence (70% Superfine Alpaca, 30% Angora), color 507, 100 grams, 246 yards, 5st/in on US 7. $12/ea = $48 + $5 shipping. SOLD!
Lot 3: 3 skeins Cascade Indulgence (70% Superfine Alpaca, 30% Angora), color 509, 100 grams, 246 yards, 5st/in on US 7. $12/ea = $36 + $5 shipping. SOLD!
Lot 4: 1 skein Cascade Indulgence (70% Superfine Alpaca, 30% Angora), color 515, 100 grams, 246 yards, 5st/in on US 7. $12 + $2 shipping. SOLD!
Lot 5: 1 skein Mountain Colors 4/8's Wool (100% Wool), color Clearwater, 4oz, 250 yds, 4st/in on US6-7. (Normally $21.50) $15 + $2 shipping. SOLD!
Lot 6: (Sorry, hard to photograph. This is really purpley and gorgeous in person.) 2 skeins Mountain Colors 4/8's Wool (100% Wool), color Midnight Sapphire, 4oz, 250 yds, 4st/in on US6-7. (Normally $21.50 each) $30 + $4 shipping. SOLD!
Lot 7: (Am I really selling this one? Yes, yes, I am.) Purchased at Maryland Sheep and Wool a while back, 1 skein of the gorgeous Ellen's 1/2 Pint Farm (100% Alpaca), 15 oz, 1250 yards, light dk weight. Originally $80.00. Now $55 + $5 shipping. SOLD!
Lot 8. Also hard to photograph, but lovely. Purchased at New York Sheep and Wool. 2 skeins Tintagel Farm (50% Kid Mohair/50% Fine Wool), 200 yds, 4 oz, light worsted weight. Originally $12 each. $16 for both + $3 shipping. SOLD!
Lot 9: 6 skeins Noro Kureyon (100% Wool), 50grams, 100 meters, 4-5 st/inch, color 95. Normally $8.95. $5 ea, $30 +$5 shipping. SOLD
Lot 10: 3 skeins Noro Kureyon (100% Wool), 50grams, 100 meters, 4-5 st/inch, color 124. Normally $8.95. $5 ea, $15 +$3 shipping. SOLD
(Tomato to show relative redness -- hard to photograph)
Lot 11: Discontinued classic. 7 skeins Tahki Sable (70% Merino Wool/30% Angora), 50grams, 140 yards, 5st/in on US 6. (Originally $7.50) $5/ea $35 + $5 shipping SOLD!
When I was six, I started guitar lessons, but I was too small for a regular-sized classical, so I learned on a ukulele. I still have it. It's... not the small kind. I think it's a tenor uke? Four strings, half the size of a guitar. If you're interested in it, let me know. I can dig it out and give details. It's been needing a new home for awhile now.
Posted by: Jeanne B. | Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 12:26
Bugger! Lost my post. Anyhoo, good luck with the yarn sale.
Sax's are obviously not like ukes. My battered 1920's alto - bought by hubbs when we were newly weds almost 20 years ago...) has a beautiful buzzy, dance-era sound. True it's harder to play than my top-of the range Yamaha (bought when I was doc to the RAF school of music), but has a more authentic, jazzier sound.
Posted by: tina ambury | Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 12:36
You are killing....
Posted by: Darci | Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 13:57