I do love the first day of the month when classes are posted for the Harry Potter House Cup. Nothing gets the creative juices flowing like choosing projects, determining how they will fit the prompts, and casting on in mad abandon. (Speaking of abandon, I do realize I missed WIP Wednesday….Bygones). It was particularly fun this month, and I so appreciated your
telling me what to do guidance in sorting through my stash to match up yarn and project. First off, the Selkie Socks by Allison Janocha. I loved these and went looking for colors to match the muted look of the sample. I thought you were a little nuts when you suggested I use some Wollmeise Clementine. Orange? Really? And match it up with Fuchsia for the contrasting stripe? But your reasoning totally made sense. It’s unlikely that I’ll use an orange skein of Wollmeise for a shawl – so why not socks? I’m really happy with the way they’re turning out. The pattern is easy to memorize and I’m almost done with sock #1.
Then we talked about my Line Break by Veera Välimäki. I love the pattern and will knit it someday in something squishy and soft. But 1,000 yards of garter with a deadline had me not feeling the love so much. I’m going to do Lady Jane instead. Paulina Popiolek‘s pattern has been calling my name for some time now. 
It has some garter, but then lace at the end for interest. At first I got Elysium for it, but decided I wanted it larger. I’ll use my Saffron Dyeworks Mini Mica for it and do some mods to be able to use at least 1,000 yards to meet the requirements of my Broom proposal. I got a start on it, but need to get cranking! The Elysium I may use for Flukra by Gudrun Johnston some time down the line. Yours is just stunning!
As for your yarn throw down of Gaia Lace vs. Nautilace, I stand by what I said. First off, why create your own suffering by wanting something you that is no longer available? The Gaia has a softer hand, or sure. However, the stitch definition and gentle shimmer of the Nautilace is just gorgeous. Speaking of which, I’ve got to get going on my Evenstar!! That baby’s not going to knit itself! Happy knitting!
~Purled