2 in a Week

Posts, that is! Normally I only post once a week, becasue I use the weekend to finish up projects. Hahaha! ;-) I finished something in the middle of the week!

I have been working on this for a couple of weeks now:

Which when plyed with natural BFL became this yarn:

Yummy, no?? :-) I haven't checked the WPI yet, but it is aprox 600 yrds lace wieght, with very long color runs. Can you say stripes? I am pretty please with this yarn. I could have plied it a little tighter, but it turned out good. I still have over half a bobbin left of the green and red, too. We'll see how much yardage I get before deciding what to do with it. Of course if you know me but at all, you're probably thinking "(sigh) Another shawl!" :-P

Look what I got in the mail yesterday!

I got these from Schoolhouse Press, which is my source for all things lacey. On Ravelry, there is a group I belong to called "Doilie Heads" and seeing some of the finished tablecloths and doilies inspired me to get the 2 Modern Lace Knitting books. They are awesome!

This shawl inspired me to get the "Gossamer Web Collection." It is a lace book that details the unique way Oranburg (Russion) shawls are constructed. Instead of working from the middle out, or from one end to the other, then adding a border later - both the body of the shawl and the border are knit at the same time. In case you're wondering - yes, I am intrigued! :-)

It is the "Medallion Shawl" from this book. Amazing, isn't it? I can't wait to try this method.

Non-Fiber Related (sorta)

Now, I have been on Ravelry for a while now, slowly adding in my stash and projects. There are also groups and forums you can participate in. I've been kind of lurking around some of the forums, "listening" if you will to the conversations. Some are interesting, some are not, and some are so heatedly interesting that I am of intrigued to keep reading, but not sure of what to say, since inevitably some one will have already said (in other words) what my opinion is. As well as the exact opposite of my opinion. Hey that's quite all right - every one is entitled to their own feelings, thoughts and opinions.

It is amazing to me that a place like Ravelry (which was founded to be a public community and database for and about yarn, fiber, patterns, and projects) can attract so many (can you say 20,000+) people from such varying and different backgrounds, believes, and ethics. I am surprised that there haven't been more catfights. I think most are mature enough to realize when to back off. It is also very interesting the way a discussion topic morphs and evolves into something completely different from what it started out to be.

Anyway, there is a rather heated discussion going on right now regarding the use the word "pron" (purposely mis-spelled) in regard to domesticity and specifically in the phrase "yarn pron." Many people spoke up about it, some against but mostly for. Their reasoning (which does make sense) is that it is a light term to signify that there is drool-worthy pics of fiber coming up. I myself don't use it simply because of the implications associated with the word.

This discussion evolved into a debate regarding the roles of men and women. One Raveler ( a fellow Christian) spoke up about the fact that the traits of true men (strength and widsom - ie leadership) are now being downplayed in favor of more sensitivity (which does have it's place - but not too much) and feministic men. Wow, did she hear it from several others! I sent her a private message thanking her for speaking up about that. She really appreciated the support. She's married to a great Christian man, and spoke up about that, too, but added the codicile that she's is simply stating her views, not that everyone should do it or belive the same way, too. She really challenged and encouraged me to stand up more for what I belive.

Men these days, especially boys growing up are subjected to so many different ideas about what a real man is/should be like. For me, the Bible and my own father provided an excellent example of what to look for in a man. For myself - I am now content to wait upon the Lord to bring an awesome Christian man into my life. I will say it is exciting watching my brothers turn into the example my father and the Lord has set.

May the Lord bless your knitting! (or whatever you do!) :-)

Blue and Gold

Blue for the UNR Wolfpack and gold for the changing seasons. Well, sort of. I honestly don't know if they won Saturday night or not! :-P But I do know that it was Homecoming! Reno's such a college town. :-)

But the gold is entirely approppriate. This was taken on my balcony yesterday afternoon:


As you can see autumn is in full swing. Driving down Arlington or California is a feast for the eys - scarlet maples, orange oaks, gold cottonwoods, etc. Looking up on the hills to the west you can make out stands of aspen by the bright yellow shining forth.

This afghan is my father's Christmas present...from last year! :-/ I didn't get it finished until now. Well, just in time for the cooler weather, eh? (Dad, I'll get it to you when I see you in a couple of weeks!)

It is crocheted in a chevron pattern using Jeager Shetland Aran. I am sad that they discontinued this yarn. It is really lovely to work with - with a subtle halo of alpaca after washing. Fortunately I still have a large chunk of it in my stash (both navy and an awesome red) - there is at least one sweater forthcoming.

Well, I did finish one thing this week, and you know the rule!

Yes, I cast on for yet another shawl. (At new years I'm going to lay out all the shawls I've done this year just to see how many I've done!) This was sort of an accident, though. I didn't mean for it to go this far (Yeah right, Hannah!) No, seriously - I was swatching for a couple of reasons:
1. To see what the drape was on a US 4 (for another project using similar yarn.)
2. To see what the colors would look like in a lace pattern.
Of course, once I started seeing what the pattern would look like in the variegated yarn, I just kept going as I liked it so much. The patterned part is a fir cone pattern. I am looking for a border to match, haven't settled on a specific one yet. This is strictly "seat of my pants" designing! :-) The yarn is KnitPicks Bare 100% Merino Laceweight. I dip-dyed it earlier this year using food coloring (easter egg colors.) I'm calling the color "Grape-alicious!" :-) Actually, in certain light it is more wine colored than true purple. Definitely more red than blue in there.

Enjoy the autumn while it lasts. I'm sure it will be winter before we know it. I mean come on - my church choir is already rehearsing for Christmas! (Cue ominous music!) ;-)

Gorgeous Weekend

Well, it was an absolutely wonderful weekend. Bright sun, cool breeze, the deep blue sky that only comes in autumn, colorful foliage... you know, perfect fall day(s). I played tennis with my friends for over 2 hrs (even got some color) and finally had a chance to play with the pink Hope (breast cancer awareness) balls I picked up a couple weeks ago. Every one thought they were cute. Awww. Well, I have to have some co-ordinating paraphenelia to go with my new racket! :-)

So Saturday I didn't get much done fiber-wise. But on Sunday I finished and blocked this:





It is a top down triangle shawl-ette in feather and fan lace pattern stitch using my handspun on US9's. You can see pictures of the yarn in previous posts. It didn't take very long as it's not large - more a scarf than a shawl. I love the colors - the colorway is Lorna's Laces "Purple Iris." I also have more than 3/4 of the total ball of wool I originally got. Bring on the purple.

So after finishing something, I gave myself permission to cast-on a new project. Presenting - Stripes and Torchon Lace from "Victorian Lace Today:"


Sorry about the flash washing the pciture above out. The yarn is Karabella Lace Mohair, and it is a lot redder than the picture. Doesn't look like much, which is why I included the pattern photo. I am planning on wearing this to my work Christmas party. We'll see, it might take longer than I am anticipating. ;-)

Have a wonderful fall - don't let the beuatiful colors pass you by!