Friday, June 27, 2008

It's Done!

I can't believe it but I finished the shawl for M for the wedding. It ended up not being as bad as I thought it would be, I don't know why I kept putting it off. It's blocking and I know I'll have to block it again in side sections but just take a look. It looks huge and a darker blue than it really is, it's just the picture. I hope M loves it!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

In Progress

My life as well as my knitting. I've been trying to figure out the new computer and how to find and post my pictures. We'll give it a go and see what happens. I've been working on a proposal to reconfigure my job. A business person I'm not! I'm hoping what I have done will convince those that need convincing. We'll see how that goes in the next few weeks.

I finally stopped procrastinating on the wedding shawlette for M. I have ripped back more than any other project. Luckily the yarn is holding up well and I think, make that I hope, that I finally have figured out the rythm of the pattern. Here's an in progress photo.

The Summer Shawlette in Sunshine Yarn's Sunsilk (Powder)

I'm hoping that when it's done it will be perfect. Isn't that what you want in a garment for a wedding? The blue fabric underneath the shawl in progress is the wedding color, remember Penn State blue and white? I think the shawl will bring the blue in gently and complement things well. I hope M loves it.

I'm also working on a scarf in Blue Heron's Metallic Rayon in the Blue Grass colorway. I am LOVING this yarn. It is so smooth and luxurious feeling. All of their colors are beautiful. This one has a hint of gold in the fibers. I'm usually not a sparkly person but this is just soo pretty. I bought another skein in the Melon colorway, no sparkle but just as beautiful. I'm hoping to make the Flower Basket shawl or the Candle Flame shawl with it when other projects are done (see last post) are completed.


Kim over at Butterfly Yarns has been delving into some dyeing. Seems everything she does comes out beautifully. I got her to part with one of her first skeins of wool/tencel sock yarn last night. The colors are just so pretty and summery. Not sure exactly what pattern I'll use this for. Right now I think I'll just sit and appreciate it. She was so good to part with it. You can look at my picture Kim if you miss it. I'll treat it well!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Excuses, excuses...

Really, we bought a new computer and my husband has everything all over the place and things aren't hooked up and talking to each other. At least that is what he tells me! That and the fact that work is driving me bonkers has kept me from blogging. But I have been knitting.

I finally finished the Everlasting BagStopper from Knitty. By finishing I mean I finally put the ribbon on for handles. I love it! Be forewarned, the sucker s..t..r..e..t..c..h..e..s!!

I also finished some baby sweaters for some of my co-workers and their upcoming babies. I love both of them.









The one on the left is the Seamless Kimono. Made from Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo. The pattern is extremely well written and works up like a charm. The yarn is scrumptious. I think I will be making more of these for future babies. There is also a Kimono version that wraps with a tie. The right hand sweater is the Yarni Lace Baby cardigan. While I love the outcome I have to say the pattern wasn't as well written. There were a few errors that made me crazy. I also changed the sleeve so that the pattern just goes down the center rather than all the way around. I think I like it better and it was much easier to deal with the decreases that way. It is cute though, don't you think? The author of the pattern was quick to respond to questions which is great but I think a few more rounds of test knitting might have been helpful. This one is made of sock yarn from Ellen's 1/2 Pint Farm that I got at New Hampshire Sheep and Wool.

I did finish the shawl for M from the yarn that I bought when we went out to visit them in Minnesota. That's not the wedding shawl but a plain basic garter one that she loved. I forgot a picture (or if I did take one it's somewhere in one of these computers hiding). She loved it as did her mom, sister, and grandmother. Hmm, do I take that as a hint?

So I need to finish the wedding shawl because we are under the year mark now and you know how time flies. I also have my own shawl to finish. I'm working on another baby sweater, Helena, from the new Knitty. It's 3/4 of the way done. I'm using Sheep Shop three in a soft purple colorway. Very nice. And my new passion is Blue Heron Yarns. Oh My!! The colors and feel, pure luxury. I have a feather and fan scarf on the needles now and eventually I will make the Flower Basket Shawl with it.

Which leads me to the upcoming projects. I finally put yarn and patterns together for things I need to get moving on. As you can see the pile is daunting. I need to stop throwing in projects and get cracking on the pile. How to stay focused? And just in case you hadn't thought about this for a while, Christmas is just a little over six months away. Yikes!!!!