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....

Caliadne Shawl

Diana just dropped off the Caliadne Shawl. It looks amazing. Diana called me just after she started because she realized that there was going to be a lot of red left over. She made a few very easy adjustments to the pattern to make it bigger and to use up almost all of the yarn.

Reminiscent of a watery home, the simple waves of Caliadne are sure to enwrap you in the ocean's splendor wherever your land-bound adventures may take you! This shawl's contrasting stripes create depth and a sense of unending beauty when coiled upon itself. Elegant in its simplicity, Caliadne is great for beginners who are ready to take the plunge into medium sized projects. It's a piece versatile enough to be worn day and night, and pink enough to soften the edges of your business casual wardrobe without taking you into the realm of cotton candy.  Designed by Toby Roxane, this pattern includes written instructions.

Yarn: Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Glitter Sock - 1 skein each of 2 colours (we used Vixen and Stamped Lips)

80% Superwash Merino/10% Cashmere/10% Sparkling Nylon3-Ply Fingering Weight | Approx. 400 yards (100 g)

The pattern will for sale on Ravelry later this year. We have permission to sell you the pattern when you purchase the yarn (Zen Serenity 20, Serenity Glitter Sock or Serenity Silk Single) to knit the shawl.

I think we have all of our Frolic garments finished now. That means that my knitters have started working on garments for Camp. It's the end of March and September will be here before we know it.

Coming Soon

There are new patterns coming from Noro. I think that they should be in the store sometime next week.

The first is a hard cover book.

The vibrant colors of Noro yarn and the striking stitch patterns of lace knitting provide a unique opportunity for design inspiration. For this collection of 30 projects, some of today's top knitwear designers have risen to that challenge, and to new heights of beauty: from flattering tops, dramatically draped shawls, and cozy hats and mitts to a structured tote and a cozy blanket, these creations, knit in a variety of Noro yarns, will open your eyes to openwork in a whole new way!

And a new pattern book from Jenny Watson.

Ley Lines (the first) was finished last night. Now it needs to be blocked. I think that might be my job on the weekend. Tonight I will be knitting on Ley Lines (the second) and watching basketball. March Madness is here. We have a friendly family wager happening. And trust me, it's not that friendly. Very cut throat!! The worst part of it is that mom is winning right now and she knows absolutely nothing about basketball.

Beth and I made a trip to the mud pit today to see the fireplace. Here it is so far.

The big green thing is our wood shelf. It will be stained a dark grey after the stone work is done. I can't wait to see it finished.

New Flags

While I was in Myrtle Beach, dad and I went flag shopping. He found that the best place to go is the flea market. They have a huge selection at great prices. Now we are ready for Easter.

Cathy stopped by today with her Naushon Scarf. I love this colourway. We will be bringing Santorini to the Frolic. The display is going to be awesome with lots of garments.

Our house is almost ready. The one thing we have been waiting for is the stone on the fireplace. It's finally there and should be installed tomorrow. Actually, boxes were there on Monday. Beth took a peek and it was wrong. She called the builder and they were very thankful that it was caught before the fireplace was finished. That would have been a lot of work to change it. And Beth would have made them change it because she was dead set against the other stone.

I'm working like crazy on Ley Lines. Fingers crossed it will be finished tonight. Two hours of Survivor and then CSI: Cyber.

Best Friends

Today is one of those days when I have nothing to write about. No new yarn today. No new samples. Wait. I forgot. We received the new colours of Opal today.

75% superwash wool

25% polyamide

100g ball with 425m

machine washable

Opal, a German company, is one of the market leaders in sock yarn. Known for quality, they offer a fantastic selection of self-patterning sock yarns.

Now it's time to knit. There is a new show on at 10 tonight on W network. Game of Homes. 

In Game of Homes, Host Cameron Mathison guides teams of skilled amateur home renovators as they compete for the chance to trade their skills for the prize of a lifetime. The teams save rundown houses that are marked to be torn down and revive them into dream homes. Each team must redo the houses room by room, as they cope with small budgets, tight deadlines and even tighter living spaces.

Getting Ready for the Frolic

Mr. Canada Post brought in a box from Lynda this morning. She just finished two amazing shawls. It's 'we need new samples for the Frolic' time of year so my knitters are very busy right now.

Pattern: Russian Hills (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 2 skeins of Mrs. Crosby Hat Box in the colour Hot Pimiento

This edging is worked first and goes so quickly because of its visible lace patterning. Later on, we pick up for the body and use garter and stockinette as a blank slate to wear around the body, letting the lace do the talking! 

Inside the pattern you will find the Chart and Written Instructions, notes on how to modify the shawl to your yardage and a comprehensive abbreviation list to ensure you don’t get lost in Russian Hills.

Pattern: Rumple Scarf (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 4 skeins of Mrs. Crosby Hat Box
Sample: 2 skeins Wild Huckleberry and 2 skeins Squid Ink

We added more stitches to our scarf - 60 to be exact. I knew that we had extra yarn so why not make the shawl longer?

A scarf/wrap hybrid that can be draped around your neck or used to cover your shoulders. Designed to use 2 skeins of luxury sport-weight yarn, but very easily modified to use up any scraps you have laying about :)

Beth finished a cowl on the weekend.

Pattern: Sanibel Cowl (free from Classic Elite)
Yarn: 2 balls of Santorini 
Colour: 2130 Confetti

Beth is stopping in the store on her way home from work to pick out more colours of Santorini. Her next project is going to combine three or four colours in a scarf.

Here is a better picture of Ley Lines so far. I really need to get a mannequin at home.

The Great Debate

Every time I finished another eight rows of my pattern last night, Beth and I debated whether I could do another section before starting my cast off. I don't want to have left over yarn but I don't want to run out. We decided on five extra sections and then I started my cast offs this afternoon.

Here is Ley Lines (the first) after a day of knitting.

Every wrong side row you cast off four stitches so it is a very gently sloping cast off edge. This means I have a lot of rows to go to finish.

We have one episode of House of Cards left. Dinner is done, the dishwasher is going and it's time to watch. 

Martin Storey

Looking for men's patterns? Martin Storey just released 6 great designs.

A collection of six timeless men's patterns designed exclusively for Knitrowan by Martin Storey. Designs include a classic cable sweater, a striped shawl collar cardigan and a fairisle sweater with an eye catching geometric design.

The patterns (individual or the whole collection) are available for sale on Rowan's website now and should be available on Ravelry soon.

Rowan also did a YouTube video of the garments


Ley Lines (the first) is out of the bag and I'm working away on it. Remember my public service announcement from last night? I found another mistake in the ribbing. For some reason I mixed up knits and purls in a section of about 20 stitches. Thank goodness I know how to drop down stitches to fix them - otherwise I would be ripping back about 10 rows.

It's much later. Dinner out and then knitting while watching more episodes of House of Cards. I have 12 more rows and then the casting off of Ley Lines is going to start. I can't wait. Something tells me that I could be a late night, or early morning depending on how you look at it.

Public Service Announcement

Look who came out to play today.

It was fun driving the mustang again. I had to remind myself that I'm not supposed to speed.

I left Beth alone with the dogs today and look what happened. They visited the Salon for a bath and hair cut. Now it's almost impossible to tell them apart. I asked Beth to get a picture and she thought it would be hard to get them to sit. I have a feeling she is offering them a cookie here.

Beth finished her Santorini cowl last night and Lynn sewed her ends in today. Getting Beth to knit was hard enough - there is no way that we can get her to do the finishing.

Pattern: Sanibel Cowl (free from Classic Elite)
Yarn: 2 balls of Classic Elite Santorini

It's nice being able to go outside at 6:30pm and there is still light.

Just before heading home I finished Naushon and Lynn sewed in the ends.

Here is tonight's Public Service Announcement. Don't watch The Amazing Race, answer emails and try to knit all at the same time. That can cause problems. I've put my knitting down to finish my post. I also put it down because I'm mad - I have to rip back my last row.

Castalia

There was another trip to the dentist today and on the way I stopped to wash my dad's truck. It's going back to him tomorrow and my car is coming out to play.

Thank goodness I had knitting in the truck. It was a long line up so I got some rows done while I was waiting.

Diana dropped of our finished Castalia Shawl today. The shawl is beautiful and I think that I picked colours that play really well together.

The pattern (designed by Toby Roxane Barna) is not available for sale yet - it will be on Ravelry later this year. We have permission to sell you the pattern with the purchase of Serenity Sock Glitter or Serenity Silk Single or Serenity 20 from Zen Yarn Garden.

A wide triangular shawl worked from the top down, the Castalia shawl features an undulating lace border worked in a contrasting color.

Yarn: Serenity Glitter Sock (1 skein each of 2 colours)
Sample Colours: Crocus and Coast Guard
Needles: 4mm circular

It's much later and I got a lot more knitting done today. My car wash earlier in the day was at Suds. The best place to have your car washed. They will also do the interior. I paid to have it cleaned inside but the line up was so long that I would miss my dentist appointment. I went back after closing the store and sat for close to an hour. The truck is spotless inside - I even had them shampoo the floor mats so there is no trace of winter left. Then I dropped it off at mom and dad's as they were pulling in the driveway from Myrtle Beach.

Grey's is taping and it's time to watch. I want to get my scarf finished tonight so I can get back to Ley Lines.