Casting on

I have been a very fickle knitter the past few days since I finished the Cityscape shawl. Nothing seems to satisfy me for very long! I tried a sock - nope... a new lace project... stalled out.... spinning has been keeping me occupied a bit - but I need my next knitting fix!!

I think I found it!

I cast on today for the Painted Silk Cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio, and I haven't been able to put it down!




I'm using Classic Elite Four Season and it's knitting up like a dream so far. It's a cotton/wool blend that should be perfect for summer.

The pattern called for DK weight, and this is worsted weight, but a little bit of knitty math later and I was ok to go! And get this - I'm knittin the smallest size! I never knit the smallest size. And no I haven't lost that much weight - I just get to cheat a little beacuse of the gauge I'm getting with the worsted weight.

So now I'll get to see how the skinny folks knit for a while :)

I have to say it's flying so far!

Full disclosure

I am a child of the 80's! I grew up dancing in my bedroom to Madonna and Prince. So what's a girl to do when she gets invited to a Duran Duran concert? She must relive her youth and dress to impress! Oh and also break out the Aquanet!!! (Did you know they still made that stuff! The fumes sent me back to middle school!)



You didn't know I was a freak did you! hehehe




Some friends I work with and I got all decked out in our best 80's punk impression and went to the Duran Duran concert last night!

It a word - it was AWESOME!

Happy Memorial Day!

Enjoy the beauty of the season!!!

















PS - Thanks for all the sweet comments - I love you guys!

Life will find a way

It's been a tough year. Thanks to some awesome friends and lots of knitting I've been getting through everything fairly well.

I saw this sedum growing out of a crack in a rock and I thought it was the perfect representation of my life lately. No matter how tough it is - life will find a way.




I know everything will be ok and life will indeed go on. I sometimes loose track of the big picture when crappy things happen. I think it's important - especially when things are tough - to focus on the good stuff. Friends, family, art, nature, beauty. It's all around us.

Have a great week and remember to look for the life in everything!

I'm crazy for lace!

I can't seem to get enough lace right now! After finishing my Charlotte's Web I was itching for more lacey goodness. I went back to a shawl I started in March as a test knit for Jolene and it just flew off my needles.



Stats:
Pattern: Cityscape shawl by Jolene Mosley - pattern available at the Sweet Sheep
Yarn: about 400 yards of Yarn Pig's merino tencel sock yarn in the Sangria colorway
Needles: Size 6 Addi Lace needles
Mods: I didn't read the instructions all the way through (doh!) and didn't notice I was supposed to do some feather and fan edging. I realized it when I was nearly done and almost out of yarn! I managed one row and a bind off and was left with this much!



Tall about cutting it close! I think I had about 1 yard left over!



Now for more pictures!







This shawl is a true one skein wonder. I knit it with one skein of sock yarn.





Thanks Jolene for an awesome pattern!

Project Spectrum Spinning!

There's been spinning!


I was able to get my hands on some Hello Yarn hand dyed roving last month and I spun it up into about 120 yards of worsted weight 2ply. I just love the colors!



It is very aptly named Turkey Attack! Can't you just see the feathers flying!




Also - I spun my first skein of art yarn!! I love me some Loop - isn't Steph the sweetest most talented person ever! I couldn't resist this lovely batt at the Cloverhill booth at Sheep and Wool - so it came home with me and soon I was breaking open the loveliness and spun it up into this!



Spinning this was a very weird experience! I had to forget everything I usually do when spinning. Make it even? - nah... Make nice thin strands? - nah.... plying? nah.... It took every ounce of my will power - but I allowed chunk after gorgeous sparkly chunk to pass through my fingers to create this.


When I got the string of sequins - I just had to laugh! I was way outside my spinning comfort zone - but I just went with it. I love love love how this turned out! I can't wait to spin up my second Loop batt! I call this one Bling bling :)



I left it as a single to show off it's shiny glowing fibers and because I only have about 85 yards. So what should I make with it!?? I am open to suggestions!!

Right now - I just pet it!

Amazingly enough, even though these two skeins are very different, they are both perfect for the Earth colors of Project Spectrum! April and May's "Earth colors" are brown, green, blue and metallic. Happy Earth colors month!

A walk in the garden

I took a walk through my garden today. There is so much in bloom! I love this time of year!

Petunias...


Peonies....





I call this one the Dr Seuss flower! Aren't they weird! Anyone know what they are called? I think they may be related to Alliums...













Even dandelions can be beautiful - just so they aren't in my lawn!

Charlotte's Web Photoshoot

Coleen and I had a date in the park today to shoot some photos of our finished shawls.

I'm glad the rain held off - we were able to get some great shots!

May I present my Charlotte's Web shawl!



Stats
Pattern: Charlotte's Web from Knits from a Painter's Palette: Modular Masterpieces in Handpainted Yarns by Maie Landra
Yarn: 5 different skeins of Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino
Needles: Addi Turbo Size US 9
Mods: I had to remove the last 4 rows of the pattern in my last color because I was out of yarn! I also added the crochet edging with the first color in my shawl.



I really enjoyed knitting this. The yarn was so squishy and soft and the pattern is really easy to memorize once you get the hang of it. It flew off my needles!

Here are some more pics...









If you know me and Coleen - you know we are just silly girls at heart - so here are our "fun shots"

We did some pole dancing...




and running shots...


It was a great day at the park!

What does Coleen's shawl look like you ask?

Here's a preview













for more details - go to her blog!

Yarn Party pics!

With all the Sheep and Wool excitement - I somehow managed to forget to post about the Yarn Party! Erin threw a little get together at her studio the Friday before Sheep and Wool.

Mama knows how to throw a party!

There were plenty of friends, food, yarn and good times. Here's the whole gang in Erin's studio!



And the knitting side of the party - took place in the vacant studio next door. Stacey, Sarah, Jen, Michelle and I had a great time sitting and knitting.



It was so great to get to spend time with Stacey! I see her so rarely!




Also - I got to meet the fabulous Michelle of The Sweet Sheep! Have you ever met someone and immediately clicked? I feel like I've known Michelle forever. She is the best!




There were yummy pink cupcakes...



and pretty stitch marker favors - made by Dawn... the other half of Cyberfiber!



It was a great time!


Thanks Erin!

I finally finished my Charlotte's Web shawl! She is blocking now. I knit it using a 24" circular, so it was pretty scrunched up the whole time and I really had no idea just how BIG it was.

I had to fold it in half to block it on a queen sized bed!




I just loved knitting this. The Koigu was a joy to work with... so colorful and sproingy! (Is that a word>) If it isn't - it should be!





I can't wait to see how this baby looks after it's dry. Coleen and I are planning a proper photo session tomorrow. My Charlotte's web and her Faux Russian Stole - stay tuned!