Mystery Stole

I finally got some pictures of me in my mystery stole! John took these of me on Sunday.




Stats:

Pattern - Swan Lake (aka Mystery Stole 3) by Melanie of Pink Lemon Twist
Yarn - Jagger Spun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 in Claret
Needles - Addi Lace size US 6
Alterations - none
Comments - This was such a fun pattern to knit. I took a lot longer than I expected to complete it because it was knit in bits and pieces while waiting for John at doctor's appointments etc. It definitely helped keep my mind occupied and distracted :)

Thanks Melanie!

I will let the stole speak for itself....















After the photo shoot - I had some friends who were anxious to see me :)

Do you believe in magic....

"Do you believe in magic in a young girl's heart
How the music can free her, whenever it starts
And it's magic, if the music is groovy
It makes you feel happy like an old-time movie
I'll tell you about the magic, and it'll free your soul
But it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock and roll"

Or as E put - "Block and roll!!"

I am in love with blocking!!! I blocked my Mystery Stole last week and it was pure joy. I was worried that it wouldn't be long enough.... boy was I wrong!

I let is soak (in Soak) for half an hour and then used my new Knit Picks blocking wires to pin it out. The only way I could fit it on the queen sized guest bed was diagonally!




It just kept growing and growing! It really bloomed like crazy. I love the Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool Silk so much. Thanks Cheryl!








Proper photos and stats as soon as I can get someone to take pictures for me! (hint hint!)

Since I loved blocking my shawl so much - I looked around for something else to block and look what I dug up! My long hibernating friend - the Central park hoodie!



I started this last winter and I put it down when it started to get too hot to take the HUGE amount of wool on my lap. But now that the weather is getting cool again - I can indulge in some more cable love and maybe finally finish my hoodie!



I worked on it all weekend - and I'm proud to say - the body is seamed. the hood is 90% done and I think I may have to add another inch or two to the sleeves before I can attach them! I can't wait to show this baby off!

Oh yeah - my boys wanted to say hi too....

Bailey needs a haircut something awful! You can't even see his eyes right now!



And Hurley, as always, just looks cute and wants to play....

Stitchy McItchy reporting in... I've been miserable all weekend with a severe case of Poison Ivy. This truly sucks because it means I haven't been spinning as much as I would like to.

I did do a little though - I mean it would take a LOT not to try out my new baby. Here is my first handspun on my very own wheel!



The roving was actually a gift - thanks Jolene!



I decided I need some more 'stash' just in case.... So I headed over to Cloverhill and got me some Mama-E goodness!



Isn't it luscious! It's Mama-E's merino tencel blend. Love the color! I got some oil too - just to make sure everything stays nice and smooth.

I met up with Amie over there and she also brought me a virtual spinning smorgasboard!! She brought me a sampling of all kinds of fiber, mohair, cotton, flax, mohair locks and some wool from a sheep at the Philadelphia zoo! You're the best Amie!!! Thanks!!! I can't wait to try it all.

In the mean time - what's a girl to do when she's laying in bed covered in Calamine lotion laying nakid in bed with the ceiling fan on high? (Ok - TMI)... Why - Knit lace of course! Here's my mystery stole with clue 2 completed. I finished it in one day - since I had nothing else to do to keep my mind off the itching - I worked on this on Saturday.










I did go to the doctor today and got a course of steriods and some Zyrtec. I hope it goes away soon!

My new baby is here!

She came yesterday in a big huge box....



All packed up nice and snug...



There were lots of pieces to put together





But finally - she was whole!
May I present - my new wheel - the Majacraft Suzie Pro!



Isn't she gorgeous? I have been spinning on her non stop since she arrived. I'll share some pictures of her labors soon - but I want to get a little more done first - can't stop to take photos or blog - must spin!!!!

Good thing I finished clue 1 of the mystery stole before she came!



I really like it so far:



Now,... you think I'll get to clue 2 any time soon?

Swatch

I have started many lace shawls... probably 4 or 5 actually.... how many have I finished? Zero...

None...

Nada...

Zilch...

I still have high hopes of finishing at least one lace shawl in my lifetime. I don't know what my problem is... Maybe I get bored or I get frustrated that it takes SO LONG to knit... But - I think I may be a glutton for punishment - because look!



It's more lace! A swatch actually - for the Mystery Stole 3 knitalong that is ready to start soon.

I love this yarn - It was a gift and I'm not sure what kind it is. I bought some of the new Addi Lace needles and let me tell ya - they are awesome!! I'm knitting this with size 6 circs. I tend to knit tightly so I opted for a larger needle. I also love the big 'ole YO holes too :)




I ignored the suggestion of using white or black for this mystery stole and cast on with this gorgeous cranberry color. I'm hoping that loving the yarn and being a part of a knitalong this time may help me stick with it and actually finish a lace shawl this time!

Here's to hoping!


In lieu of knitting - Jolene and Sarah came over on Wednesday for a sewing night. Sarah finished a baby quilt, Jolene designed and made herself an apron and I just made another bag. I have such talented friends!!



In case you're wondering Java Man (thanks for the idea Bonnie!) did not sew - he just stole our snacks!!