Mystery Revealed

 Back in November, I joined a mystery knit along on Ravelry.  I wasn't sure what the project was, but it was offered by one of my favorite designers, so I couldn't resist.   I'm so happy with the resulting shawl.  I haven't taken it off since I took it off the blocking mats earlier this morning. 

 Lee will be offering this pattern with different options, including lace and cables.  She has completed a gorgeous cabled version herself, that will definitely be on my 'to do' list in the new year.

 Other than the mystery KAL, I've been busy getting ready for Christmas.  This year, I took part in a cookie exchange with my Trefoil Guild.  Here is a picture of my offering.  These are oreo truffles.  My daughter, Amy, put me on to this recipe, found here at blogger Bakerella's website.  I highly recommend this recipe.  The resulting cookies are exquisite. 

We also did a homemade gift exchange for Christmas with the Trefoil Guild.  Each of us made a gift, not knowing who the recipient would be.  I decided to make a woven scarf.  I was going to give mittens, but didn't finish them in time.  Besides, everyone was expecting me to make a knitted gift.  I wanted to surprise them.  Julie was the lucky recipient of this scarf.  It turned out so beautiful.  I'm still amazed at how fast I can turn out a woven scarf with generous sizing.  This one was made using frog tree alpaca for the weft and a tweed wool blend for the warp.  Julie seemed to like her scarf. 

A New Love/Addiction

I alluded to the fact that I am now the proud owner of a loom several posts back.  Kev bought it for me for my birthday.  My first go at it was with a skein of sock yarn.  I wasn't too impressed with the process or the finished project.  Well, that was a waste of money, I thought.  But I'm not one to give up that quickly.  Besides, fiber is involved.  There has to be more to it.  

I had this skein of 'Slubby Blue' by Fleece Artist in my stash and I kept picturing it as a woven scarf.  Well, when inspiration hits, you gotta run with it right? So, I took out my little cricket loom again, for another try.  I was like a woman possessed, once I got past the warping of the loom that is.  

I couldn't stop thinking about it.  Every spare moment, I would add a few wefts.  (Not sure if thats the correct terminology, but the weavers out there know what I'm talking about).   Within 2 or 3 evenings, I had this 8 foot scarf.  Wow.  No way you can do that with knitting.  Or at least I couldn't, unless I was knitting with turkey basters and 10 strands of worsted weight held together.  Hmmm....I might file that idea away for later.  Imagine the stash you would eat through.

 Here is the finished scarf.  Its so hard to photograph though.  I'll try again in better light. Its a beautiful yellow, with bits of rose and forest green.  The warp yarn is just a plain natural worsted weight yarn by Lion Brand - Fisherman's wool, I believe.

I've already warped the loom again, for another scarf of the same width.  I'm not sure about the length though, as this time I'll be using handspun that I bought (gasp!) from A Good Yarn.  I had planned on giving it away, but got greedy when push came to shove and kept the yarn myself.  Its spun by this lady on the west coast of our beautiful province.  I am so envious of her yarns.  When I grow up, I want to spin art yarn like her.  And, oh my, art yarn looks glorious woven.  More on that later.