Knit & Nosh

spring chickens

The Woodstock Socks are kniting up much faster than I anticipated, they will probably be finished by the time we pile into the car.  I need another project for the vacation bag.  Luckily I know just what to bring.

This is a project that is SO not me.  Me, who can not work or relax in a room that is cluttered.  Me, who does not own a single knick knack or piece of bric-a-brac.  Me, who likes my horizontal surfaces empty.  I have fallen for a chicken.

 

Tan blogged about her plans to make these chickens and I was smitten.  I can envision them sitting on the top shelf of the built-ins, saying a cheery hello to the spring and all who pass under them.  Spring Chickens.  It feels silly and I can’t explain the attraction, but there it is.  I am giddy to cast on.

bar guitar cigar & knitting too

So, we are jumping on a ferry and heading out of town this weekend.   We have decided to spend a few days hanging out in Port Townsend.  We have a view suite at the Waterstreetand over the past few days Husband’s mantra has been:

Hanging out in the bar,

Playing guitar,

Smoking cigars.

He is a pretty funny guy, but the truth is, that is exactly how he would like to spend four days.  While I will enjoy being a spectator for the bar/guitar/cigar antics, my relaxing will including writing the second draft of my book proposal and knitting.

A vacation = vacation knitting. This is what will be in my bag.

I should be able to finish Woodstock Socks.  The Simple Lace Shawl will become much larger and Spiralusciuos is along just in case.   

Google tells me Port Townsend has two yarn shops, both of which are an easy walk from the hotel.  My quest will be some silvery grey yarn for Luna Moth and a pair of #4 32” Lace Addis.  The needles will be needed for the Woolgirl Lace Kit to be delivered while I am gone. 

Oldest Son will be staying home.  He is looking forward to being on his own and watching all the movies he can’t watch while we are all home.  I imagine there will also be loud guitars.  The neighbors will be alerted.

guess i was tired

After dinner last night, around 7, I was not feeling well.  I sprawled out on the bed and then woke up at 6 this morning.  I feel pretty good.  My back is sore, but that could be for any number of reasons.

Finished some spinning this weekend.

I believe this colorway is Sorbet.  It will become a hat for my favorite four year old girlie.  Maybe I will use the pattern from the new Spin Off.

Began Eagle's Flight, Opus 3.

I can go either way with this yarn/pattern combo.  It is not lovely, but it is good enough.  The yarn feels nice and I love the Hiya Hiya needles.  They are slightly pointy, light as can be, slick and quiet.  What's not to love?  There are more sizes in my future.

After swatching, Simple Lace Shawl is the clear winner.

I modified the edging a bit, nothing major.  I love the yarn and the calm quiet I feel while knitting this project.

I still want to knit another Luna Moth.  The pink just did not do it for me.  I am thinking a silvery grey would be nice.  That might be the souvenir I bring back from the upcoming trip.

might be time to swatch

I decided to save the center panel from the shawl.  If I do not need the yarn for the new shawl, it will make a cute dolly blanket.  As I happen to be acquainted with a certain little someone who would appreciate such a thing, it has been set aside.

That leaves yards and yards of beautiful pink, laceweight Merino/Tencel.  After flipping through all the lace patterns in the house, at least all of the ones I could easily put my hands on. I think it is down to two choices.  A Simple Shawl or Luna Moth.

I loved the last Luna Moth I made and was sad to give it away.  This yarn would work well.

The Simple Shawl is appealing because it would be a nice weight for summer.  I spend a great deal of the summer on the deck.  As soon as the sun begins to set and the wind comes up off the water, I grab a shawl.

So, while I love the drama of Luna Moth, Simple is more practical.  Such a tough decision.

rip it, rip it good

Time for Desdemona to wave good-bye.  She is heading for the big rip.  For what ever reason I can not knit this pattern.  Every row is accompanied by tinking.  Last night when I picked it up, I realized it was stressing me out.  My gauge was really tight and I was holding my breath.  Knitting is suppose to be fun.

So today has been for spinning and thinking about what to make with the pink yarn.  Any ideas?

that's more like it

Desdemona has been released from her time out.  I must say, her manners are much improved.

I think I managed to knit 7 rows today.  At some point I found an unclear design issue.  Once I had that figured out I felt much better.

While Desdemona was sleeping it off, I finished Spiraluscious.

The flat picture does not show off the wonderfulness

and it is wonderful.  This yarn is by Madelintosh and it is so soft and drapey.  I have a bit of a crush on the pattern.  You know that stray ball of Koigu or Shibui you have laying around?  It is enough to make one of these cowls.  Speaking of Shibui, that is what the next cowl will be made with.  Then I think I will give some Malibrigio sock yarn a chance.

i am a patient person...

...but Desdemona has been sent for a time out.

only time will tell

Desdemona is coming along just swell.  I have picked up around the center square and am now working my way towards the outer edge.

I know you can not tell a thing from the picture, but it seemed better than just saying, “Trust me”.

This afternoon I was reminded that I have a Woolgirl Lace Club shipment arriving at the end of the month.   I talked two friends into joining the club with me and we had made arrangements to cast on as soon as the kits arrives.   I should restate that I was the one who talked them into joining.   I was the one who thought it would be so much fun for us to be knitting the same thing together.  Finishing Desdemona should not be a problem, I mean I am on the border chart.  Just to make myself feel better I did the math.

I have 60 border rows and the knitting of the shawl is suppose to be done  by March 27^th.  That makes for at least 3 rows a day.  This sounds so easy.  But it is not, and I am worried.  Currently the rows, rounds really, are just over 400 stitches.  Each row increases by 8 stitches, so it gets bigger in a hurry and then continues to grow.  I don’t think I can do it.  Usually doing the math makes me feel so much better, this time the math has let me down.

I will press on.

ETA: I have just pulled out the five rows I knit yesterday.  I am an idiot.

desdemona and addi lace

All packages are present and accounted for.  It was so nice to get a little package everyday.  Now it will be another month before the mailman knocks at the door.  This probably makes him very happy.

My favorite arrival of the week is Desdemona Shawl.  Hands down.

 

The color is so perfect, the yarn is so subtle, the pattern is oh so delightful. 

I could keep going...

This pretty shawl is all I have been able to concentrate on for the past 24 hours.  If I set it down to do laundry or answer mail or any of the other things I needed to do today, I could hear it calling from the other room.  After 6 (of 14) repeats of the body chart I am finally ready to set it down.

 It is going to be gorgeous.

Before I was able to cast on I had to make an emergency yarn store run.   It appears the only needle I do not own is the one the pattern calls for.  I decided to give the Addi Lace a try.  Now I know I am late to the Addi Lace party.  I have a shoebox full of regular Addis.  The amount of money invested in that collection gives me palpitations.  I did not feel the need to go out and buy another version of something I already owned.  Then there was that fate filled #3 – 32” that was needed to knit the Desdemona Shawl. 

The Addi Lace needle is perfection.  Complete, perfection.  It is lightweight and pointy, with just enough grab to keep lace stitches in line.  The cherry on top?  They are quiet.  I was knitting in bed last night while Husband slept and the normal click-clack of metal needles was no where to be heard.  That shoebox full of regular Addis better make room for some new additions.

evolution can be slow

I am going a wee but crazy here, knitting wise.  I did receive a lovely skein of sock yarn in today’s mail.  Accompanying that lovely skein is a lovely pattern.  I have issues.  The yarn is a color I have already used a couple of times.  The pattern is one that takes a lot of concentration and requires that a copy be surgically attached to your knee.

So, at some point, I will knit the yarn in the pattern, but not now.  Not when I have a lace shawl due at my house.  A PINK lace shawl.

The shawl kit did not arrive today.  That means the only thing I have on needles is a moderately unwieldy Sock Yarn Blanket.  Not the kind of project that is thrown in a purse and taken out at a meeting.   Which means that this evening I attending a Seattle Knitter’s Guild board meeting and had nothing to knit.  Nothing.

Can someone please remind me that I am supposed to learn from my mistakes?