Ley Lines

My Auburn Wave in Jilly with Cashmere is growing. I really enjoying knitting with a single ply yarn. This got me thinking of another project that I knit in single ply but haven't shown finished pictures. I had this shawl in the fashion show at Camp and took pictures yesterday afternoon.

Pattern: Ley Lines (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single

I used three skeins for my shawl but I made it bigger than the pattern called for. You can make it in two skeins but you need to be careful. Your cast off is gradual and worked over many rows. If you do too many rows before you start then you will run out. Hence, take three skeins, make it a bit bigger and there won't be any worries.

The shawl can be knit in any fingering weight yarn. The possibilities are endless but here are a few suggestions
-tosh merino light
-Mrs. Crosby Satchel
-Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock
-Dream in Color Jilly
-Dream in Color Everlasting Sock
-Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere
-Malabrigo Sock
-Malabrio Mechita
-Manos Alegria
-Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20
-Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Glitter

From the designer - Joji Locatelli

It is amazing how our focus shifts in the most random ways and, like happened with this design, it often takes us to a very creative place when we let it wander around. The ribbing in this shawl will let your imagination and attention wander around too while you work its very simple instructions, and will leave you amazed at the direction your knitting took when you bind off the last remaining stitch.

There wasn't much knitting today. Beth was golfing so it was me and the dogs. They aren't very good at changing the channels on the TV for me. What a busy day. NFL. Blue Jays. Nascar. Golf. And a nap too. Now it's time to sit and get a bit of knitting accomplished.

Soaked

I can't believe it but I finished knitting Ley Lines #2 last night.

It has been soaked in Soak and is pinned out downstairs. Now I need it to dry quickly. I will be sewing in ends Wednesday night when I get to Columbus.

We watched the finale of Master Chef Canada last night. I was very happy with the winner, I picked that person very early in the show. Now I'm watching the season 6 premiere of Master Chef. What happened to Joe?

Happy Birthday

It's my mom's birthday today. We aren't talking numbers anymore. :) Beth and I got off lucky today. Darlene planned a family barbecue so we didn't have to plan a party. Thanks Dar!!

It's now Sunday. 

That was the start of yesterday's post. Then we went to the barbecue and had a great time. So many laughs that our stomachs hurt. We got home late and I really didn't feel like writing. I knit instead.

This morning I blocked Ley Lines #1 and it's pinned out downstairs.

Ley Lines #2 is almost to the cast off. I added rows to the shawl and am now playing the 'do I have enough to add one more section or is time to start casting off?' I think it's getting to the cast off so I will be starting that in seven rows. Why is the cast off an issue? It is done gradually. Four stitches every wrong side row. Judging the amount of yarn required is really a guess.

Tomorrow we are supposed to be golfing. Tomorrow it is supposed to rain. We'll see in the morning if it's a golfing or knitting day.

Happy Easter

I'm not sure if I should be saying Happy Easter or Merry Christmas. We had a touch of snow last night and then more this morning. Is it really April?? I hope everyone is enjoying a great day with family and/or friends.

I'm knitting until we head to Aunt Rene's for dinner.

I think I have about 70 rows until the cast off. Unfortunately I'm increasing as I go so the rows are taking longer and longer.

Don't forget that Spring/Summer hours have started in the store.

Monday Closed
Tuesday-Thursday 10-5:30
Friday noon-7
Saturday 10-4
Sunday Closed

The next shipment from madelinetosh should be arriving in about a week. Right now (and I could change my mind) the new Twist Light will not be coming to the store before the Frolic. It will make it's debut at the show. If you would like a skein before the show, here is a list of colours coming. Let me know and we will get it from storage for you.

Twist Light will be coming in 
pecan twist
plunge
raspberry cordial
deep
heartbeat
great grey owl
leopard
fallen cloud
woodstock
kilim
odyssey
kitten
geode
neon peach
fluoro rose
holi festival
tart
charcoal
whiskey barrel
dr zhivago's sky
worn denim
amber trinket
coquette
spectrum
mandala

Here is a link to the blog post showing pictures of the new colours (the first 13 on the list)

It's time to get ready to go. I'm not going to be late for turkey dinner!

The Second

Ley Lines (the second) is my new obsession. I want to have it finished so that I can wear it to the Frolic. We're home from dinner and it's only 7pm. There are many hours of knitting ahead of me tonight. 

We are very excited about this year's Camp. Kate Atherley and Kim McBrien are teaching some amazing workshops. Registration is taking off - we have 15 ladies coming so far and the cut off number is 40. If you are thinking that you would like to join us this fall, please don't wait and be disappointed.

Download the brochure....

We have a winner

Cathy, Lynn and Beth did the draw for those who donated to the Food Drive on Friday afternoon. Congratulations to Barbara H. who won an amazing gift basket of yarn, needles, books, basket, accessories and the suitcase.

We collected $425 and a lot of food. Thank you to everyone who donated!! You guys rock.

I think that we will be getting warmer weather sooner or later so it's time to get ready for it.

Here is a great spring/summer scarf from Classic Elite.

This garter stitch based mesh stitch scarf would work well in any number of yarns, but it is particularly pleasing in our newest yarn, Sandpiper. 

Sandpiper is the perfect weight for a cotton: not so bulky as to be heavy and not too lightweight as to take forever to knit. The most interesting aspect of Sandpiper is its color – 5 shades are space-dyed in each strand, in short bursts of color, then 8 strands are plied together. Highlights and shadows occur organically as the colors in each of the 8 plies interact. From a distance, Sandpiper looks solid colored but up close the 5 hues dance and mingle, adding depth and interest. The most amazing aspect of Sandpiper: despite all the color play, due to similar values in each combination of colors, Sandpiper shows texture and lace beautifully! 

Sandpiper's softness and drape, combined with its subtle undulating color changes, make the ideal summery scarf. Change the stitch count, in multiples of 4 stitches, to alter the width and make a skinnier scarf or wider stole. 

Download the pattern (It's free in today's Classic Elite Web-Letter)... 

Lynn and I are getting ready to redress the mannequins into bright spring colours. We need some bright to put cheer into these long cold days. 

I really like how Ley Lines looks on my friend.

It's cold, blowing and snowing here right now. That means sitting on the couch and knitting tonight. I have so many projects that I want to get finished for the Knitter's Frolic.

Ready to go

I'm leaving early in the morning for Myrtle Beach. The house is clean. I'm packed - carry on so there isn't a lot to put in the bag. The most important thing is my knitting. Remember that when you are going on a trip you get to start a new project. I started Ley Lines in Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single. The colour is convergence and is brand new in the store.

While I'm writing an email came through from Netflix. The next season of House of Cards starts next Friday. If you haven't watched the first two seasons, I highly recommend the show.

It's time for bed. I want to be on the road early just in case there is a line up at the border. If I'm early it means quiet time to sit and knit at the airport.