Something New

I'm not a very experienced lace knitter. I've decided that 2009 is the year that I'll broaden my horizons - knitterly speaking. I want to do more lace knitting - with actual lace weight yarns. (I also want to do colourwork, but thats a different post all together). So in keeping with this thought, I decided to tackle the pattern 'Ishbel' by Ysolda. The few times that I've knit lace, I've kept track of the pattern repeats with stitch markers. So, I tried that with this little lace shawl/kerchief. But I was always coming up with the wrong number of stitches and my patterns weren't lining up. So, I did a search on Ravelry and discovered that since this pattern is started from the center back, and there are 4 stiches increasing on one side of the work and 2 stitch increases on the other side as the pattern grows outwards, then it is impossible to use stitch markers to keep track of the lace repeats. I wish I had realized it before I knit the lace 5 times or so. Seriously. One night I was actually dreaming about it, and counting yarn overs in my sleep.

Any way, it is now finished. Its malibrigo too!!! I'm certain there are mistakes in it. Probably only visible to me and experienced lace knitters. But, I love it. I will wear it. Even though purple isn't my colour. Amy says that is all the more reason to wear purple. I need to break out of my colour box.

And speaking of purple, I then went on to knit the Lacey Airy Scarf from Simple Knitted Gifts. Today there was a surprise party for Blair's mom. She is turning 50. I just got the invitation on Friday, so that left me with very little time to make something for her. Since this project was in the '4 hours or under' chapter, I thought I would give it a try. Now this is a very, very, very simple lace pattern. Actually, I'm not even sure that 8 yarn overs in a row will qualify as lace, but it is done in a lace weight yarn so, I'm calling it lace.

Maybe I've gone a little overboard

This past weekend I went home. That is, my hometown. My nephew is graduating high school and they had the ceremonies that weekend. And he was the valedictorian. I am so proud. My sister (and I guess in some small part, my brother in law) have done a fantastic job of raising him. He is smart and respectful. He is kind, handsome and ambitious. I couldn't be more proud.

Of course this was also an excuse to do a little shopping. My LYS is nice enough, and I love Mrs. March. But, she doesn't carry Fleece Artist. And I love me some Fleece Artist. I think I may have went a little overboard. I bought 2 thrummed mitten kits. The store owner of Wool Trends (St. John's) had these fantastic shop samples knitted up and even though it was 20 degrees celcius, I really felt the need for some thrummed mittens. I've bought this kit before when I was in Bathurst last summer/fall, and I love thrumming. Mrs Wool Trends had the best thrummed mitten sample ever. They were like boxing gloves. No way a hand can get cold wearing one of those.

I also had a gift certificate for Michaels that I had to spend. So, I stocked up on some Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick. I like that yarn for gift knitting. I also bought some Lion Brand Homespun and Suede as I want to try those faux shearling knitted baby booties and hats that I've seen around Ravelry.

So, I think that I've more than enough yarn for the next 2 or 3 lifetimes. Then I get mail. I'd forgotten that I'd taken advantage of Webs anniversary sale. I got me 2 skeins of this golden Malibrigo.
I've been actually craving it since I knit those Chevalier mittens this winter. They have since mysteriously disappeared. No one knows what happened to them. I'm very suspicious of the usual suspects. But I want more or maybe I just want to knit more. And I've got me some cashmere. Yes, they had cashmere on sale. I've never knit with cashmere before and I'm super excited. My boss is turning 70 in June and I want to do something special for him. I'm thinking the 'swelligent' scarf from Son of Stitch n' Bitch. The cashmere is actually 90% cashmere, 10% silk tweed by Rowan in a great pewter grey colour.



And to top off a fun, fiber infested week I got some roving from etsy seller frecklefaced fibers. I've decided to give spinning alpaca another go. This alpaca is buttery soft. If it turns out scratchy, its my fault.

No blog posts for May?

I wonder why? I've been knitting. I've been spinning. I just haven't been finishing anything. I did make this hat.

Well, thats not a finished photo. I'm sure I took one, but I don't know where is it. I must remember to take another. I'm disappointed that I didn't have quite enough yarn to do this pattern justice. I ended up shortening the earflaps and the icords. The yarn (100% alpaca) is super soft. Next time, I'll but more.

I've started colorwork!@!! I'm super impressed with myself. I thought it would be dead hard, but it isn't. I'm knitting one colour continental style and the other english style. Thank you you tube for that little hint. Here is a photo of one fingerless glove that I've finished.