Sunshine and Shadows

kind of sums up how things have been going lately. knitting moving along slowly--have two shawls in the works: another Evelyn A. Clark pattern and a second La Cumparsita. its all the brain can handle right now.

below are a few shots of the wonderful Ann wearing the Sunshine and Shadows Shawl. probably my quickest knit--only a week. and i probably could've finished it sooner if i spent more time on it. details:

pattern: Sunshine and Shadows in "Knitting Lace Triangles" by Evelyn A. Clark
yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze (barely 2 skeins)in colorway "Mist"
needles: Addi Turbo Lace US6







more to come soon...there's lots of things happening!

Finished Projects

hopefully this is a better picture of the Elizabeth Zimmerman 100th Anniversary Pi Shawl. and yes, that is me.



and this is La Cumparsita.

Where Am I?

so the knitting is trudging along...lots of little projects that fly away quickly. lack of a decent camera is an issue too. all the professional looking photos i see are pretty intimidating. all i have is my camera phone--such a shame when there's a photographer in the house--but i won't get into that here. anyhoo, here are a few things i've been up to:


Pattern: EZ 100th Anniversary Pi Shawl on Ravelry
yarn: Malabrigo Laceweight, colorway #152 Tiger Lily; 2.25 skeins
needles: Addi Lace US 6

detail of edging

approximately 3 weeks commuting/waiting time. Very simple, quick mindless knit. and very enjoyable. for the Elizabeth Zimmerman (EZ) fans, the appeal was the stitch pattern count 8-9-10 --her birthday!! i that that was pretty clever on the designer's part and a nice tribute. it was also my first time knitting with Malabrigo, which was also very nice. very soft, almost like cashmere. hopefully i'll have a person model it soon.

this next shawl is La Cumparsita also found on Ravelry Written by Marnie MacLean, la cumparsita is a form of tango. i really enjoyed the motion of the stitches while knitting this so its definitely named well!


yarn: KnitPicks Palette in Merlot Heather, approx 3 skeins
needles: crystal palace bamboo US7

detail of edging.

i recently treated myself to a birthday present by purchasing Sharon Miller's The Wedding Ring Shawl and The Princess Shawl. i've been eyeing these patterns for quite some time and finally decided to get them, as now, more than ever, completing even one will have significant meaning in my life right now. the service was quick and efficient and the patterns came with samples of their gossamer yarns--enough to make a swatch. funny that i should buy these when i have yet to attempt the Neiblings that i have.

i'm also working my way thru Evelyn A. Clark's Knitting Lace Triangles i think it's a really neat self study in understanding the fundamental elements of designing a triangular shawl.

so that's where i'm at.

Blogger Interrupted....

seems life really gets in the way of blogging. i try. i really do try. but there are times when i don't think it really matters since there are some really great crafting blogs out there. anyhoo, no more promises...i'll blog when i can blog. besides, there are so many wonderful crafters out there, i don't think my bits are missed. :-)

there HAS been some knitting...most of the projects were gifted as soon as they came off the needles.


Pattern: Modern Log Cabin Blanket
yarn: teal/turqoise- Ultra Alpaca (doubled); all other colors Cascade Ecological Wool
needles: Addi Turbo size 8

i have 2 1/2 panels left--according to the pattern sequence they will be in the alpaca and light grey. this will be a comfort blanket for a friend who is battling cancer. i planned to have a flannel backing attached.

so yeah, that's what i'm working on now.

A Quickie

pattern: Hermione Hearts Ron by Christy Aylesworth (free on Ravelry)
yarn: Rowan 4ply Soft (discontinued) in colorway "sooty"
needles: Crystal Palace US3 bamboo 16" circulars

the pattern is a replica of the hat worn by Hermione in the latest Harry Potter film. absolutely adorable and i think the finished crown is cuter than the original. the decreases form a lovely snowflake pattern. this was pretty lightweight--i may try doubling the yarn and using a US4 or 5 needle.

You Never Really Know

who's paying attention. recent conversation...

Virginia (not her real name): what happened to your blog? there hasn't been anything there for some time now, and you've been knitting quite a bit.

me: well, i just haven't updated it in a while. you know, with this big project at work and all. besides, its not like anyone ever reads it--there are so many other committed bloggers out there.

Virginia: you should really update your blog! look at all these projects!!

me: i know, i know, but i usually end up giving them away before i can even take pictures. besides, my pics suck and its not like anyone ever reads it. its more for me anyway.

Virginia: (stern look)

me: okay.

so here we go again at keeping up the blog. when i left off, I hadn't put up a picture of the Mellon Shawl from Victorian Lace Today. as i lack any camera abilities (even tho i have a photographer in the house--quite shameful, isn't it?), the pics kinda suck, but they can always serve as proof that there's knitting going on...

Mellon Shawl


pattern: Mellon Shawl from "Victorian Lace Today"
yarn: Rowan's Kidsilk Haze; colorway Marmalade
needle: US6, edging US5

Anne M. at Knit+Stitch= Bliss in Bethesda, MD, was being uber sweet and showing this to one of her beginning knitting classes. if you're ever in the area, stop in--there are some truly amazing people there and i am so fortunate to know them.

Not pictured are:

--two La Cumparsita shawls.i loved the pattern so much i did one in the original color theme using Knit Picks Palette in "merlot" and the other in Palette's "verdant heather". i have yet to block either one as there is work being done at home and i just don't have the space. hopefully my blocking frame plans will happen soon.

--three pairs of socks in Knit Picks Felici sock yarn

--a lace christening blanket that i'm designing...still in the early stages.

--lots of laceweight spinning on my spindle. who knew spinning so thin would actually take TIME??????

--the Myrtle leaf shawl in progress. as its a gift for someone, i have broken my own rule about knitting with black. on size US1 its taking a bit of time--longer than i wish.

--granny square blanket. its a project for a customer. normally, i don't do any finishing but have started to branch out a bit more.

--Hermione Hearts Ron hat. Lovely Ravelry pattern that is a replica of the hat Hermione wears in the latest Harry Potter film.

--my persistent scrounging for Rowan 4ply Soft (i can't believe they discontinued it!!!!)

--hoards of hats that i am knitting for LoveThreads

and now that i've gone on about what pictures i don't have, let's go the pics i DO have. projects on the needles:

Nutmeg


pattern: Nutmeg from Berrocco's pattern book #288 for Blackstone Tweed
needles: US7

this is a new yarn that the shop is carrying. wool, angora, and mohair blend that makes for a softer than usual tweed. similar to Jo Sharp's Silkroad Tweed--without the silk and cashmere. almost finished with 4 inches of 3x2 ribbing before the real pattern starts

Sockhead hat


pattern: Sockhead Hat
needles: Addi Turbo US3
yarn: i have no earthly idea. given as a gift from D at the shop. supersoft!

yet another Ravelry pattern that i absolutely adore. i think its a great way to use up nice sock yarn that hasn't found a sock pattern. i've got some Claudia's and Koigu that i plan to use for this too.

Cold Mountain Shawl



Pattern: cold Mountain Shawl by Kieran Foley, Knitty
yarn: Jojoland Harmony; colorway Dark Pastels
needles: Addi Lace US3

very soothing knit. i did a provisional cast on as i didn't like the straight edging. there's a pattern from Victorian Lace today that i think compliments the shawl. the pic doesn't do the colors justice and this would look really nice in a variegated silk like Claudia's.

so Virginia, yes, i've been knitting. and yes, i've been really bad about blogging about it. and yes, i will try better.

oh yeah...thank you for letting me know you're out there.

Raha Scarf

so i've had the Knitted Lace of Estonia book by Nancy Bush for about a month. spent quite a bit of time stroking it,reading it over and over. now i've cast on my first project--and instant gratification piece, the Raha Scarf on page 63.

pattern: Raha Scarf, "Knitted Lace of Estonia" by Nancy Bush
yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze (3 skeins) colorway, "Gold"
needles: Addi Turbo Lace size US4 (3.5mm)


i've made a few modifications: the original is done in a fingering weight yarn on size US4(3.5) needles. i'm using Rowan's Kidsilk Haze (KSH), on the same size needles and have doubled the pattern repeat. i thought i might need to double the KSH but so far, i like the way it looks. i'm a bit further along than in the picture.
i doubt i'll need all 3 skeins but i do like the color, and since doing the Mellon Shawl, i also enjoy knitting with KSH. i know, you haven't seen the Mellon Shawl, but you will soon.

i could see doing this pattern with or 4 repeats and a nice edging to get a shawl. i don't normally do scarves, but then again, who said i was normal?

i also got two goodies in the mail:

.5oz Italian Resin whorl spindle from Butterfly Girl Designs

.3oz Ethan Jacob spindle from Greensleeves Spindles

and yes, precious, i'm already spinning with them.