Mirasol Hacho, 110 percent hand-dyed merino wool. 137 yards per 50 gram ball, light weight. Photo (c) Sarah E. White.

This yarn literally jumped into my arms the last time I was at the yarn shop. I'm not sure how much I bought, probably four or five skeins, but it's lovely just to look at and I'm sure will be even more fun to knit with.

What makes this yarn even more special is that it's part of the Mirasol Project, which invests profits from the sale of yarn and pattern books to a boarding house, educational and health programs for the local children in Peru where the animals are raised and the yarn is made.

Share some of your stash (in pictures).

There are many different sources for patterns these days, from books and magazines to this website and others. I love to use many pattern sources for inspiration, but most of the things I knit come straight out of my head onto the needles.

I'm wondering this week where you get the patterns you knit. Do you design for yourself, or are you devoted to a particular magazine? With this poll you can check all that apply. And if you get patterns from a source I didn't think of, add it in the comments.

Free Knitting Patterns from About.com