A Little Yarn On The Side

Today I blocked my MS3. I like the beads, like the draping effect of the yarn (Skacel Merino lace), am thrilled that it's finished, and still dislike the shawl. I have knit much larger lace projects, but I have never knit anything that felt larger. It proves something that I should have realized long ago--don't knit patterns you don't like. Seems sort of self-obvious, but under the influence of yarn fumes, I forget this one pretty regularly. Still, I think I will have learned my lesson with asymmetrical shawls at least. I am not an "artistic interpretation" sort of lace knitter. I'm more of a "those-two-sides- of-the-shawl-darn-well-better-match" sort of lace knitter. Probably good to know for future reference, and in case I am tempted by "mystery knitting" projects in the future... This weekend I started the beaded band for Fleur, which now has me terribly excited about the whole project, and the right front was brought through the f...

The Albatross Swan Lake MS3 stole is finally done!!! It will look a bit better after being blocked, but how much depends on your perspective. I am a "symmetry" sort of person, so this takes top honors as my least favorite knitting project ever. But, it's done, and I get to add 1000 yards to my tally for the year. YAY! I might have been doing a little swearing while working on the last few beaded rows--Theo obviously thought it safer to wait outside the sewing room. I've had a little difficulty deciding what to work on next. After finishing 5 projects in a row, I would love to cast on something new, but I'm hoping to get to at least 10 WIPs in a row before I crack. So, I did a few rows on the Fir Cone Shawl which can't be finished without buying more yarn, then on to Fleur which I have a love/hate relationship with. It's a lovely cashmere blend yarn, but because of the shaping, it is really fussy knitting and yet boring stockinette stitch, so I los...

....but we were out with friends tonight and I have had zero time to knit. I know what you're thinking--if I recruited them as knitters I could have done both tonight. Same thing crossed my mind....

Recognize this? MS3 - started over a year ago. 13 rows to go, and this bad boy is done!!! And do you want to know the best part? WHEN IT'S DONE I GET TO ADD 1000 YARDS TO MY STASH-BUSTING TALLY!!!!! I knew somewhere in the universe was something that would finally motivate me to finish MS3. Turns out it took the Year of the Stash AND the WIP marathon to force me into it, but it's going to be done!!!!!!!

Bright and early this morning, I added the ribbing to the shrug, and with Theo's "help," washed and rinsed it-- which is very thirsty work-- blocked it and finally got Theo away from it. which I'm sure is only a temporary situation. Nothing excites him so much as blocking knitting or something without a layer of cat hair covering it. There are still about 3 loose ends that need to be woven in, but I like to do that after blocking--I always think that there's less chance of causing any tension problems that way. Tomorrow I'll wrap it up and ship it off to the birthday girl. As hard as it is to believe after the Marathon Mohair Monster that is the Lady's Circular Cape, I found myself missing working on lace, so this long suffering scarf has gotten some attention this weekend. I started it sometime last year, but have never been very excited about working on it as the lace pattern is a bit too fussy for me to have memorized, so I have to sit with the Barb...

MS3 has a mistake! I have to rip back 3 rows. While I know it could have been much worse, this may move the stole back to the Time Out Bin For Bad Projects. It was SO close! Dem fischer sin fru is still on clue one, but in my defense, it's a long clue one. Ah well, at least being this far behind I can see how the shawl is turning out and can be assured that I don't have another MS3 on my hands. I started the poncho's second side and have 1/6th of the new side done. The Pi Shawl is almost done!!!!! I COULD STAY ON SCHEDULE!!! Which really makes no sense--why am I working this hard to try to finish one project every month? Should hobbies really have deadlines? Obviously, this is what happens when Type A personalities knit. I cast on another sock. Besides needing a portable project (5 rows at stoplights every day can really add up), I have a lone sock sitting on my desk and if I finish it's mate it can be put back in the Gift Bin rather than continuing to sit on my...