A day of firsts

First day I've ever tackled my taxes on my own (and lived to tell).

First day I've worn a shawl to the beach.


First day of the year that I truly felt chilled.

First day I didn't let the boys go in the water because it was too cold.


First day of my new niece's life. Wish I could meet her soon and wrap her up in this shawl....I'm willing to share it.

Mocking me

Here it sits. Laughing at me. Saying "you're almost done, you're almost done" but with an evil giggle through out.


It knows although I'm on the last instruction in the pattern, I'm far from being done. It knows that "4 inches of border" sounds completely easy and innocuous, but really it means 4 inches of never ending garter stitch.

And then it laughs again.

Veera's Vision

If you don't know Veera - you should check her out. Seriously. Go right now and then come back. I can wait.

Veera is brilliant. Simple, beautiful well thought out patterns are putting it mildly. Every pattern she has, I could imagine myself wearing. Every one.

So as my first Veera pattern, I decided to try out her Stripe Study Shawl. Along with J. Freakin' brilliant. I don't want to put it down because I keep wondering how wide the next stripe will be or how much more asymmetrical it will look. It allows you to knit with gorgeous yarn in amazing colours and that's the primary focus of the work.

I figure a mix of Wollmeise and Koigu is perfect for this study of stripes.

Abrazo

I finished this a bit ago but haven't had time to figure out my new camera - all it's settings and how to download onto the computer.

But despite these minor issues, I did manage to catch a few pictures of this little shawl that I knit for my sister.


The yarn is Silk Thread from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I also used this yarn for my mom's Ishbel, and I still have enough to make myself a small shawl or large scarf.


The yarn is ridiculously soft and you just can't stop touching it.


I hope my sister likes it - she is having a hard time these days, and I hope this might cheer her up, even if it's just a little bit.

Quickie

I'm leaving in hours...but had to share this before I left.



Super awesome pics thanks to my 3 year old Stink.

Ribbons

Last weekend I went to my hometown for a little small town fun and frivolity with the kids.

The town fair was going on and I knew the boys would love the parade, and I, well I would love the bench exhibits. Everything from best decorated cookie by a 5 year old to best poster of a science problem to best needlework by a senior. I came prepared with some handknits to enter. I paid my $2.75 ($2 to become a member of the Agricultural society and 25 cents per entry). I filled out my forms (with my maiden name so people would have some idea of who I was) and submitted my entries.

The next day I came and saw this....

And this...


And lastly this....
2 Firsts for the Ishbel and the FLS and a 3rd for my Kai-mei socks (I don't know if the judges could appreciate Cookie A's construction of the sock - it lost to a standard slipper in Phentex).

And - $7 in prize money!!

My mom thinks my goal for next year should be an entry in each knitting class - maybe I'll make enough money to take myself out for lunch (likely not enough to take anyone with me though)...

Ishbel MacDonald

I had an Auntie Ish. I have vague memories of this lady, my Popeye's sister. The lady who gave my parents the piano which I learned to play on (with the guilt of "we promised Auntie Ish you would take lessons"). The lady who was well-educated for someone of her generation and status. A lady who, for some reason, I remember having a lot of blankets (I'm not sure if this is true, or some crazy memory I've constructed from nothing). The lady who drew lovely pictures, but also some scary ones (there's a charcoal cat one that always freaked me out).

When I saw the pattern Ishbel, not only did I love the pattern, I had to knit it because of the name. That name I always thought was so pretty that I'd used it as a middle name if I ever had a daughter (it was promptly vetoed by my husband, and our never-to-be-born daughter will remain Mariska Rebecca Joan).

I've named my shawl Ishbel MacDonald, not because that was my aunt's real name (it wasn't) but because MacDonald makes me think of the Scottish side of my family. And reminds me of my Popeye (my grandfather). And it is the middle name of one of my boys.

And with those thoughts and memories and this erractic post, what is the take home message?

Pretty name. Pretty shawl.

The beginning and the end

The end....


The beginning...

The end...


The beginning...


And the hardest one, the end of the baby phase at our house...this crib will soon be gone....

The beginning of the next phase. And whatever that will bring.

Meet Stinky and Punky

This is Stinky


And this guy is Punky.



We actually use these names most of the time. The names are meant only with endearment and love (I'm sure I'll get emails harassing me ....), and are fitting I assure you!!

They don't ask to get put on here, so I don't like to use their given names. So, from now on, I'll just say Stinky or Punky. You'll get the picture.

**

In other news, I finished my Swallowtail shawl. I will definitely be using this pattern again.


Whipped this bad girl up with some Zephyr Wool-Silk. I only used about 1/2 a ball

Also started on my Cozy for our KAL. The official launch date is tomorrow so go over to Ravelry, sign up and join us.


Well, Stinky and Punky are beckoning...must run....

'nupp said

There is yet any knitting question that I have not found some help for in Ravelry. This week, my concerns were surrounding the 'nupp' of the Swallowtail shawl. The nupp includes knitting into a stitch 5 times, then doing a p5tog on the return row. I was having trouble with the p5tog. So much so that I was considering frogging - not a great solution to anything.

Instead of this drastic step I elected to try and find some help in Ravelry. I searched 'nupp' and came up with a number of different options. Some suggestions included using a crochet hook to draw the purl loop through, or doing slip 2 p3 psso. Also, some people used beads instead of the nupps (I think I'm going to try this on my next one). I also got some ideas on how to knit the first stitch of the five much looser therefore making the p5tog easier. This is what I"m currently doing and it's working very well. No more thoughts on frogging.


So all this time spent thinking about my knitting techniques has left me a little goofy...


actually, I was always pretty goofy - wonder where the boys get it from....

The Lure of Lace

I wouldn't call myself an experienced knitter or an advanced knitter. I can do a few nifty tricks like cable, but haven't knit a lot with seriously difficult patterns. But lately I've got this urge to knit lace. Not sure where it came from. I'm not a girly girl and I don't normally run around in lacely, Victorian-like clothes, but I have this need to knit some.

For mother's day I received a copy of No Sheep for You and there is an AMAZING shawl called Tuscany. It is beautiful and I think it will be my first major lace project (other than socks, but those don't really count). I've never worn a shawl and can't say I can see wearing one in the near future but this pattern is so beautiful I can't help but make it. There are some pics of finished ones on the No Sheep Knit-a-long. VERY nice. I bought some red merino lace weight (lost the ball band already...par for the course) to knit it up. A little bit of a lighter weight yarn than what it was originally knit with but I wanted to try lace weight. It's taking forever to wind up into a ball (I have a swift, manufactured by J. and her sister-in-law) but not a ball winder - can see know why you should have both.

Once it's wound I will start. Therefore I need to get a lot of other things off the needles first - like a birthday sweater for my god-daughter and a father's day present for my husband (not saying what, as he is likely lurking....). I know once I start the Tuscany I won't be able to stop, so it's not a bad thing it's taking so long to wind the yarn up.

Will keep you posted with the Tuscany progress....