A Finished Project

Alex stopped by today with my Washed Out Shawl. It turned out huge which isn’t a bad thing. Thank you Alex!

The pattern is from Joji Locatelli and you can purchase it on Ravelry. I enjoyed knitting the shawl. Joji’s patterns are well written. 

The shawl was knit with Practically Perfect Sock.

1 skein of Ice Ice Baby

2 skeins of Happily Ever After (you don’t use very much of the 2nd skein)

1 skein of Lemongrass

Here is a suggestion.

Dusk ‘til Dawn

Jiminy Crickets!

Sea Me Now

Jackson and Fred love to wrestle.

A finished project means that I’m casting on something new. 

I’m going to make the Alpine Bloom hat for Beth. Woolcycle in Dubrovnik and Dyed in the Wool Pop-Click.

Sylvie and Fred

Isabell Kraemer has a new pattern called Sylvie P. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

From Isabel.

today marks year 1 after the back surgery
and I thought I’d like to celebrate this milestone with a promotion: use code happy1st at check out to get ALL self published patterns 50% off (code is valid until Friday, July 28th, midnight Berlin time) … enjoy!

Isabel writes an amazing pattern. I knit Elah and it was one of the best written patterns I have ever followed. It is also the best fitting garment that I have ever knit. Isabel understands sizing.

Here are Isabell’s patterns on Ravelry.

Back to the new pattern. I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss the discount!

Sylvie P is worked seamlessly from the top down.  

Both the back and the front are worked in Stockinette stitch in a sportive stripe pattern, with an additional “faux” seam that runs down at the center of the back. Knitting starts with the cast-on of the shoulders for the back. 
Once the short row shaped shoulder slope is done, the back is worked flat to underarm. Shoulder stitches are picked up to work the fronts to the same length. 
At underarm both fronts and back are joined to work the body in one piece top down back and forth to the bottom hem. 
Then the button bands and shawl collar are worked.

You can make this a fun Cardover/Pulligan (= a pullover that looks like a cardigan ;)) by sewing the buttons through both layers of the button bands or work buttonholes to make it a “real” cardigan.

Last the sleeve stitches are picked up around the arm openings to work the sleeves in Stockinette stitch top down in rounds to the cuffs. 

modifications/adjustments 
The body and the sleeves can be lengthened or shortened by working more or less rows/rounds before starting the ribbing. Size can be adjusted by working widthwise from the size you need/want for your bust/chest, and lengthwise from the size you need/want for your upper arms. Upper arm circumference is determined by the armhole length plus underarm stitches - work more or less rows for both fronts and back (follow instructions for a smaller/bigger size) to adjust armhole length.

Pockets could be added to your liking. The pattern doesn’t include instructions for pockets, but provides a link to a great tutorial.

Be aware that the amount of yarn needed will change with each alteration.

Beth and I made the executive decision that dad couldn’t be without a dog. He needs a little friend to walk around the neighbourhood. It gets him out and he loves chatting with the neighbours. We did a lot of research last week and talked to a lot of breeders.

When I was dog sitting yesterday dad and Beth picked up Fred. We made it a name that is easy for my dad. 

When we told dad he was a bit worried that it might be too soon. We assured him that Lucy would be okay with it. She has a great life with mom now and she wants dad to be happy too.

He is part Collie and part Golden Retriever. We didn’t want another big dog. It took a toll on dad trying to help Lucy get up for the past year.

I met Fred this morning. He is very cute and likes to snuggle.

So far Fred likes the truck. 

He met Boscoe and Jackson this morning at the office. Boscoe isn’t too sure and Jackson isn’t bright enough to think that a new puppy is a bad thing. Beth is golfing today so I looked after the dogs this afternoon. Dad and Fred came for dinner. Boscoe still isn’t too sure but it’s the first day.

I finished Washed Out this afternoon. It needs a good blocking but here it is so far.

Now a bit of paperwork and then knitting.

Slip Stitch

Hedgehog Fibres has a new pattern called Born Slippy. It is a free pattern.

Beginner friendly slip stitch scarf that lets your yarn shine. Combine Hedgehog Fibres Tweedy colourway of choice with a variegated or speckled Merino DK colourway that you love and watch the multi-coloured blips emerge. 

Size: 190cm x 37cm (75 inches x 15 inches) 

Yarn: 
Colour A: 2 skeins of Hedgehog Fibres Tweedy (230m/100g). Colourway pictured: Connemara. 
Colour B: 1 skein of Hedgehog Fibres Merino DK (200m/100g). Colourway pictured: Oyster

I’m casting off. There is a long way to go but you can see how pretty the picot edge is. Today I was at home with the dogs and I should have been doing work but I knit instead. Tomorrow morning I’ll be in the store to ship boxes. 

Washed Out

I changed projects today and picked up Joji’s Washed Out. I am on row 27 of the lace border and was so happy because there are 32 rows and then I’m finished. Not so fast. I have to repeat rows 1-16 again. 

Here is Sandra’s Alpine Bloom so far. It is stunning!

I have finished the pattern section and now working on the body.

I absolutely love the colour of the Himalayan Salt (Practically Perfect Sock), and the Zauberball Privy Council is the perfect amount of colour.  

I was trying to go for a soft pink feel and didn't want a high contrast.  It complements the pink better than I thought it would.

The dogs are home and they are tired. They’ve slept most of the day. The cottage tires them out.

Now back to the knitting.

Lime

I made it to the lace border on Washed Out. The lime is bright!

I am going to knit a few more rows tonight. It’s hard to see the lace pattern - I don’t have enough done.

I put together a few combinations. Above is Dusk til Dawn, Jiminy Crickets and Sea Me Now. I took out Dusk til Dawn and put in Twilight for the picture below.

The multi colour is colour 2 in the pattern. I went into a second ball of that colour. Joji’s yardage in the pattern is correct. I was hoping she was wrong and one skein would be enough but it wasn’t.

The dogs are tired. They went to school today. Beth sent them so that they would be tired and well behaved for dad and I. She is having fun in Vegas. Linda and Lisa from the office are with her on the trip. They had seminars all day and now they are on their way to see Mystere. I am supremely jealous.

Now I need to think about clothes for Chicago. I have ideas in my head but laundry might be a good idea. I’m going carry on only. Getting there won’t be hard but coming home with paperwork and samples from the show might require some creative packing.

Made it to Lime

I didn’t finish my shawl but I knit more than I normally do while I’m away.

I just started to fade in the lime. There are 48 rows of fading and then the lace in lime.

All orders placed while I was away were shipped out today. We received lots of boxes as well - they are all sitting waiting to be unpacked. Sirdar Snuggly DK and Cotton DK, Addi Turbo needles and a big box from Blue Sky Fibers.

We received a few colours of Crazy Zauberball today including the colour we used for Butterfly. Kits are available online.

I made it home safely last night but I was tired. 

I didn’t get tickets to the game on Tuesday night. I kept checking online right up until game time but I couldn’t pull the trigger on a $1500 ticket. I would have loved to have seen the trophy presentation in person but my wallet is okay with me seeing it on TV.

This was the arena at 3pm. It was already crowded. If you watched on TV you will have seen how crazy it was. I watched at a bar in my hotel. It was nicely air conditioned. I had a chair and I could see the TV. I made many new friends who fed me pizza and water. They tried to give me shots and beer but I passed on those. Everyone was friendly and everyone was wearing a Vegas jersey. I’m glad I brought mine. 

Four young people (early 20s which is young compared to me 😀) walked by and asked about my purple jersey. I explained that is was for Hockey Fights Cancer. One of the woman gave me a big hug thinking that I had cancer. I had to clarify that I bought the jersey because it is purple. Everyone was spreading love that night.

After the game (and trophy presentation) I went to my room for an hour. Then I set out for the arena. I wanted to get Beth a Stanley Cup hat. The plaza was empty and was it ever a mess. The only people there were buying merchandise. Beth got a hat (that she’s wearing today) and a tshirt. 

One more hockey story. I was talking to Beth while I was in the airport at my gate when I spotted people I knew. Okay, don’t know but have seen on TV. Ron MacLean, Craig Simpson and David Amber. I was able to fly business class (I collect a lot of miles) and was seated in the front row when they boarded. I was in my hockey jersey and Ron stopped to congratulate me on my team winning. We had a short conversation before he headed to his seat. About an hour before landing the man beside me asked me if I had a family member who played for Vegas. I said no and asked why. He wondered because Ron stopped and talked to me like he knew me. I think that is Ron MacLean. He will have a conversation with everyone.

It’s pizza Thursday so I need to start chopping vegetables. It is going to be an early night tonight.

Vacation Knitting

Hello from Vegas. I was able to knit in the airport, on the plane and a bit this afternoon. Hotel room pictures are always terrible. I will take my work outside tomorrow. I’m sitting in the room watching the end of the Canadian Open.

I made it through the fading and will be working with the multi coloured yarn for a few sections. The lace section, garter section and then lace section again.

This is outside the arena. I will be here watching the game on Tuesday night. Tickets to the game are crazy expensive. 

My hotel.

The Knights played in Florida last night. I sat outside and watched with many Vegas fans. 

Today I walked over to the Bellagio. The Conservatory was as beautiful as I knew it would be.

The golf is still on. I’m going to knit until it’s over and then go downstairs for dinner. Go Nick Taylor!