Ginny isn’t hosting Yarn Along this week as she grieves the loss of a dear friend and her unborn child. Please take a moment to send up some prayers for all of their family and friends.
Lots of knitting this week. The sweater is done (the basic knitting part) and is now waiting for me to find the courage to cut open the steek and work the button bands. I’ve also got quite a bit of Daddy’s socks done. The heels are turned and now I’m just working on the foot part. My favourite knitting designer came out with a new poncho/shawl pattern. I’m making one for Grandma (Mom). I think she will enjoy wearing it at home. Her shoulders often get cold in the evenings and that makes the arthritis ache. This pattern is knitting up so quickly. Obviously I couldn’t take it on holidays with me (since Grandma came along) so it’s progress stalled a bit. I’ll finish it soon.
While on holidays I found a new yarn shop (giant surprise). Lots of great yarns but I made myself behave and only bought a couple -besides, one isn’t for me so doesn’t count, right?? The Regia Snowflake is for me for some knee socks. It makes a really nice ‘fair isle’ without all the hassle. As you can see I’ve already unwound the balls and am very happy to say the balls match almost perfectly. I won’t have a hard time making sure the stripes match. The bright yarn is another Regia label. They will be for Ella. I can’t believe how toned-down the yarn is in the picture. In reality the greens are day-glo and will look wicked-cool in black light. I’m hoping there is enough for knee socks.
I also treated myself to a new knitting book,The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting: Stitches, Techniques, and Projects for Lighter-than-Air Shawls & More. I’ve seen this one online, but just couldn’t decide if it was any good. And it is! This book is great if you like lace. It will solve my latest yarn problem. I got some lace weight yarn to make this stole. I was so eager to get started. But it quickly turned to disappointment. For some reason I just couldn’t knit it properly. Every row needed to be knit a couple of times to get it right. I also wasn’t that happy with how it was turning out. But that leaves me with 1600+ yds of lace weight yarn, not a size I usually use. But now I have lots of ideas.
Oh yeah, notice the little silicone sweaters at the bottom of the book? They are needle holders. They hold 4 double-pointed needles (or 2 circulars). How cute are they??
With you in prayer for Ginny, Sarah and her family. So very shocking, sudden and sad.
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I love your knitting!
And how neat about the needle holders!
and the lace yarn!
you are so far above my knitting level; I’ve felt also that my life is just not yet conducive to counting and more complicated knitting.
Someday perhaps… 🙂
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So nice about the socks!
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Love reading this! 🙂
I’ve been knitting nearly 40 years, so don’t feel bad Elizabeth. Besides, most knitting LOOKS far more complicated than it really is. Especially the poncho I’m working on. It’s lace but it’s literally just knit, yo and k2 together. And being worsted it’s a quick knit.
I am totally off socks at the moment. Don’t laugh but I only have darning wool in the house right now. Did a total clean out this spring and any projects I start will be new and fresh. That said no one needs anything so why both. I really love fine lace knitting and would love a review on your new book. I am totally into the Scottish and Irish knits with lace and cables….”FOR ME!”. Lately just smocking. I didn’t think about you not having piggies meant no farmers market. Da! Must be really different this summer. If thats what you can call it. 😉
Love ya. Marlyn
I know what you mean. I tossed a bunch of stuff I’ve been hanging onto for 20 years. I was never going finish/wear them so why keep them and feel guilty. It felt so good to only have ‘good’ projects in the house.
People tried to convince us to come with just the vegetables. But every one with a large garden think they should be at the market and then don’t charge enough. I have better things to do than go to Market just to socialize 🙂 It’s so amazing to actually do things and be able to have Daddy along. Actual FAMILY outings. It’s nice that Colin isn’t so exhausted all the time. And of course, so nice he doesn’t have to be in a pig barn in July/August!