Last chart finished!

I’ve finished the last chart on Mystic Waters!  Tomorrow, the bind-off!  I hope I can get it blocked tomorrow, also, as I think I’ll wear this one on Saturday, instead of the Adamas that I was planning to wear.

Pictures will be coming soon…

Mystic Waters progress…

I’m through Chart E – 268 pattern rows done, out of 367 pattern rows total. I love this pattern, I love this yarn (Jaggerspun Zephyr), and I can’t wait to wear it!

Progress…

Here are two of the items from the last post:

First, the Adamas Shawl. I’ve completed 6 of the 14 repeats of the pattern, and I love it! The yarn has a very subtle heathering, which gives it a richness. (See the enlarged photo) The pattern is easy enough to do while watching TV (something that I usually can’t do when knitting lace), and it’s going along quickly. Of course, it’ll slow down as the rows get longer and longer, but I hope to have it finished in February.

The Selbu Mittens, from “Folk Mittens”:

Love the way these are coming along! It was difficult at first, trying to “throw” with my right hand, as I’m a continental knitter, but the stitches are coming out nice and even, despite the slowness of my throwing.

And, the obligatory bird pictures…

Last, but not least, winter is so pretty…

On the needles…

I must be crazy … I’ve found so many beautiful things I want to knit through Ravelry, and I can’t seem to stop myself from casting on.

Cast on Sunday, 1/20:

I’ve gotten through 3 body repeats of the “Adamas Shawl” from Knitpicks. I bought this pattern a while back, and I don’t see it on the website any more. It’s a very simple shawl pattern, and it’s just flying by at this point, using the Jaggerspun Heather 3/8 in Moss. I know the pattern is supposed to be diamonds, but it reminds me of leaves, so the green just felt perfect.

Ribbing done for the “Selbu” mittens from “Folk Mittens”, in Patons Classic Wool Merino in blue and white. Second attempt – should have checked for errata before getting halfway through the first mitten. Damn. They really looked nice, too.

The Mystic Waters Shawl. Wow. I think this may be the most beautiful shawl I’ve ever seen. Jaggerspun Zephyr, in white. First 2 rows done, because I’ve been busy with the other items above.

Other items still in progress:

The “Snowdrop Shawl” is in the process of having the edging knitted on. This is MUCH easier than the edging on the “Shetland Tea Shawl”.

“Clapotis” from knitty.com in Morehouse Merino in Blue Nympheas.

And, the socks. Only about 10 rows of ribbing to go until they’re done and wearable. But it’s so hard to finish them, with colorwork and lace taking up my knitting time.

Sock Recipe!

I think I finally have a sock recipe that works for me:

Toe:
Use Turkish Cast-on with 16 wraps (32 stitches).
Round 1: Needle 1-K1, M1, knit to last stitch, M1, K1. Needle 2-K1, M1, knit to last stitch, M1, K1.
Round 2: Knit
Repeat until there are 72 stitches on the needles.
Knit until the sock measures 6 1/4 inches.

Gusset:
Round 1: Knit across Needle 1 (instep). Needle 2: K1, M1, knit to last stitch, M1, K1.
Round 2: Knit all. Repeat until there are 60 stitches on Needle 2.

Turn the Heel:
Use only Needle 2 (heel stitches). 
Row1: (RS) Knit 40, kfb, k1, turn.
Row2: P24, pfb, p1, turn
Row3: K22, kfb, k1, turn
Row4: P20, pfb, p1, turn
Row5: K18 kfb, k1, turn
Row6: P16 pfb, p1, turn
Row7: K14 kfb, k1, turn
Row8: P12 pfb, p1, turn

On RS, knit to end, knit instep stitches.

Heel flap:
Work heel stitches ONLY.
Row 1: (RS) K 52, ssk, turn.
Row 2: SL1, p36, p2tog, turn.
Row3: SL1, K1 to last 2 stitches, ssk, turn
Repeat rows 2 & 3 until all stitches have been worked, end with working row 2.

Begin working in the round again.  Knit 1 – 11/2 inches plain, then work K2P2 ribbing to top of sock.

Bind off in pattern: K2tog, slip stitch back to left needle, repeat using K or P where necessary.

Visitors…

I looked out the front door earlier today, and there was a HAWK just sitting on the handrail of the porch. I was vacuuming, and it was just sitting there watching, not 3 feet away from me…WOW. I called my daughter to see it, and very slowly started to move to get the camera. As soon as I did, it swooped away into the trees.

Here’s a visitor that stuck around for awhile: (click for larger)

and this one:

and these:

Better late than never…

Here’s my favorite picture from the garden this year…

Isn’t it beautiful?

Rhinebeck!

Ok, so I’m late to the party.

Went to Rhinebeck on Sunday (or, as it’s officially known, the NY Sheep and Wool festival).  WOW!  This was my first time there, and it was great!  Of course, the weather was unusually warm for this time of year, so that was a bonus.

My daughter and I walked through every exhibit at least twice and got to meet The Yarn Harlot!  She gave a talk and then chatted with everyone while signing copies of her books.  Since I, like everyone else, read her blog, I knew she had a bad cold for the trip, so I brought her a package of  Airborne.  I swear by it for avoiding colds, and thought it might help.  She was very gracious, said she’d been told about it, but hadn’t been able to find it in Canada.  Yes, I did feel like the world’s biggest dork while standing there waiting to chat with her, but she was very sweet. And she didn’t call security, or back away from the table, or anything!

I was able to control my yarn buying – bought a scarf kit from Morehouse Farm – one of their Monet Scarf Kits in the Blue Nympheas colorway.  It was the only yarn (apart from some very expensive silk) that my daughter didn’t find itchy, so it’ll be a scarf for her.  I also bought some roving for some more pairs of thrummed mittens.  I made a pair last year (pictures still haven’t found their way to the camera yet), and they are incredibly warm.

Lots of projects started – the scarf above, a Danica scarf (from Paton’s Soy Wool Stripes in Natural Earth), a Snowdrop Shawl, and, of course, the socks are still being worked on.

Ravelry!

Woooohoooo! Got my invitation to Ravelry…I’m Toni over there.

IT’S DONE!!!

Here it is unblocked: (click for larger)

Here’s the finished product: (well, almost – it’s still drying!)