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...

OK, this is what I think we have so far (Ravelry IDs in parenthesis): Me (ToniS): 6 Jennifer (kountingsheep): 6 Patti (catnip610): 5 Helen (Bluedragon): 2 (Hockeyme): 2 Holly (SilverIlix): 1 Rayne (Raynebair): 2 Alison (knitwitchery): 1 Snani (Snani): 1 Bringing us to a total of 26 WIPs finished so far. Have I missed anyone?

Having finally finished MS3, the temptation to cast on something new has been almost overwhelming . It wouldn't matter what project, exactly, just a new one. To give myself a little "pick-me-up," and just in case I did cave finally, I decided to finish the baby wrap sweater which just needed a small seam, some buttons, and a couple snaps. Not terribly exciting, but it is the 6th WIP in a row finished. YAY! I'm hoping to have a tally of everyone's WIP progress for the blog tomorrow. Let's see how we're doing!

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...

And another evening out with truly wonderful, but (alas) non-knitting , friends instead of knitting. That's it, I'm just going to have to start converting people. ....Come toward the light....there is wool and mohair there....you will be warm.....and have great sweaters.....

....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....

If you are participating in the WIP-finishing contest, this post is not going to be helpful at all. The lovely Hibiscus for Hope pattern is now available. Ramona has designed the luscious sock pattern as a thank-you gift for those who sponsor her in a walk to raise money for breast cancer. To get a copy of the pattern, you can sponsor Ramona here . There's a place on the form where you can specify that you would like the pattern, and give her your email address so she can send you a copy. If this: doesn't make it tempting enough for you, consider According to the CDC, in 2004 (the most recent year numbers are available), 186,772 women and 1,815 men were diagnosed with breast cancer 40,954 women and 362 men died from breast cancer Supporting research to cure any type of cancer is one of the most heroic deeds humans are capable of achieving. Let's make it a thing of the past--not the future.