My Eyes!

Sorry for the crap photos. It's ugly outside. Here's a full shot.

Close up of pattern

Yes, I am knitting on the border. Who Hoo! My very first knit on border.

There is the promised update. I will post more about project when I finish, hopefully this week. I know, lace looks like crap until you block it.

AGGGHHHH

It's back! No not the blob the sinus infection. So this post will be short and sweet. I am a lost woman I have met Schaefer Anne sock yarn. SOOOO beautiful! It has mohair in it!

National Alpaca Farm day coming up in Oct. Get to visit local alpaca farms. Fun.

Diane I have made progress on your shawl, about 1/2 way thru the body. I haven't touched it in oh about 4 days as my head can't handle counting.

Did cast on the luscious Malabrigo silk blend. I am mixing it with some other yarns in a "The Wave" wrap from Knitter's Spring 06 that I got on sale for a dollar. Interesting wrap you knit a W then put in one little seam for a very unconventional shaped wrap. The yarns are going together beautifully! In case anyone cares the Malabrigo silk / wool blend is fabulous to knit with! No splits, snarls, or snags. A bit tricky to wind up as it can stick to itself in spots and is slick so it kept riding up my swift. I sincerely hope the Dr I see in the morning gives me some good drugs. Night.

Suspicious Minds

You know when you have a hunch and you think nah. Yeah, you're usually right. I bought some fabu yarn in San Fran. Remember the Malabrigo silk blend? I wound one hank up tonight. Mainly due to the fact I didn't believe they fit appox 315 yards in a 100 gram hank. I know about how much yarns weigh and thought that sounded a bit light, maybe like 200 yards in a hank? Yup. I measured out 10 yds then weight the ball that was 10 yds lighter and did the math. Yup 200 yards exact. I know it was a preview yarn and its not widely available yet. So I can forgive the 315 yds on the label, sort of ( I am a bit grumpy). It was only 20.99 a hank so not bad either way. Still I hope they correct that when it hits the market. It is a silk blend but did seem slightly grabby when winding it up. So I thought it might be Clapotis II, now I have no idea. Waiting on the new Knitty to see if there are any cool new wraps. Diane, your shawl progress is safe as I clearly am not being lured away by the knitting sirens to a new project cast on.

Progress

Switched needles to Addie Turbo Lace, much better, am using stitch markers to note pattern repeats. No matter how smart and crafty you believe yourself to be if you think a pattern is so simple you can do without the markers? Wham you are proven WRONG! Lesson learned. Damn I hate learning lessons.

A Lot Going On

Another Color Me Mine Success, It's a Chalkboard Cup!

Handy cool new wallet courtesy of Diane! Whoo Hoo!

Fetching fingerless mitts. Not loving this pattern.

Pattern: Wrist/Hand Warmers from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Yarn: Love, Vicki Howell Collection, 70%bamboo 30% silk, YUM, 1 skein

Needles: US 5, one long Knit Picks Options for Magic Loop

Time: couple hours

Notes: LOVE this pattern and yarn!

Patons SWS fingerless mits to be same pattern as above, US 6, Knit Picks Options

Belatrix still going, albeit SLOW

First fish for Fish Blanket using Brown Sheep Lams's Pride Worsted

This will be ongoing

Finally a Clapotis

Project: Clapotis

Yarn: http://www.kraemeryarns.com/yarn/vintage.asp

Yarn: Vintage Alpaca Limited Edition 2006, dk, fawn, 4 skeins

Needles: US 6, Knit Picks Options

Time: 1 1/2 weeks

Size: 23" wide, 77" long

A Close Up Shot

This shot doesn't show the warmth of this color, the first is much better.

Project Notes: I added an extra repeat in the straight section. I was already going to gave to break into skein 4 for a couple yards, so I wanted to feel it was worth it. Alpaca stretches and doesn't bounce back. Probably why mine came out way longer than the original and I used more yarn on teh decrease than the increase section. Note it should have used the same amount. I love the length of this one. It still scrunches up to be a long scarf due to the dropped stitches, but is a good wrap if I feel the need. Since I used dk weight it isn't too bulky. I find this pattern addicting. It was simple enough that I could cruise along with the added thrill of dropping stitches. The yarn used is all natural and undyed and is sooooooooo buttery soft. I am in love. It even feels sikly. Note I did have to pick the stitches to get them to drop all the way down. I just saved that for movie watching. I also like the fact that this yarn is from Alpacas in Nazareth, PA and the yarn is processed, milled, whatever here too. I can just picture the alpaca who grew my yarn prancing around, I believe her name is Maude. I will make another Clapotis. The next one will be in a varigated yarn to maximize the pattern, although the color of this yarn in person is a scrumptious brown. Might have to go back to 2 Sisters and Ewe to snag some more in another color. This time I will park near Starbucks and avoid the nasty meter man who gave me a ticket. I was less than two damn minutes over! He ticketed everyone. Must be so surly due to the heat, which is finally broken. Off to dream land.

Humble Beginings

Project: shoulder shawl in Syrian pattern, Victorian Lace Today.

Needles: US 6, Knit Picks options

Yarn: Kaalund, Wysteria

Other Items needed: A booklight so I can see when trying to do this in a darkened room so as not to wake the buby! Laugh, but it works.

This is my first lace weight project, but it is off to a good start. This pattern is simple yet pretty. It doesn't compete with the colors of the yarn. Still undecided as to how I am going to do the border.

Extreme close up!

The Joy of Yarn

The holy grail has been found, er I found Imagi Knit of San Francisco. I am in love with this shop! Walking in I felt lightheaded with all the yarn in one location. Yarn lined the walls from top to bottom and was piled in baskets all around. All the yarns I have only drooled over from my computer were there in the flesh to be pet. It took me a good hour to peek, poke, and get my bearings. That is with going in with a PLAN for what I was seeking to purchase! There was quite a variety of yarn from all the well knowns to yarns from more local sources. The staff was friendly without being on top of you. They seemed to understand my need to look around in awe for a rather long time. When I had questions they were friendly and pleasant, even though I kept finding all the new stock that didn't have prices just yet. They do have an online store that has a smaller selection then the brick and mortar storefront. I FINALLY understand all the fuss over Malabrigo, soft and comes in a seemingly endless variety of colors. I have begun a foray into lace knitting. My main goal was to get some handpainted lace weight yarn as its not overly popular in my LYS. Diane loved my shawl I made for me and wanted a shawl for her very own. She picked and bought her yarn and I am currently working on her shawl. There are very few people I would do this for so you should feel very privilaged Diane. She was nice enough to choose 100% silk so I get to play around with that. Now for the lovelies.

Kaalund 100% silk from Australia, color wysteria, 300 meters ea

I am currently working with this yarn and like it very much!

Mist Alpaca handpanted, Color 06, 100% baby alpaca, 215 yds each

This yarn is so bright and fun in person!

Ahh alpaca, my true love.

Whisper, 100% merino, hand painted lace weight, 1365yds

Aurora Yarns of Moss, CA.

This reminds me of the bay and mussel shells picked up along the beach in RI as a kid.

Color is noted as one of a kind not to be repeated. Gorgeous!

Malabrigo, 50% merino 50% silk, Color Stone Chat, 315 yds.

This yarn will be available at the end of the year to sometime next year.

Imagi Knit had a couple preview skeins in a handful of colors. I scored the last 2 in this color. They were just about out of this lucious yarn. It is soft and shimmery.

If you ever get the chance to go to San Fran this shop is a must see!