Aha!

So, I finally I found 5 minutes with sunlight, my finished project, a camera, and a photographer!

Project Details:

Pattern: Orangina

Needles: US 3 circulars for lace & US 2 circulars for ribbing

Yarn: Knit Picks Shine in "Grass"

Size: 34"

Verdict: Simple and easy lace with minimal seaming - fun!

Central Coast

Husband and I finally managed to finagle a weekend out of town after a bit of a traveling hiatus. Since there are limited opportunities for "getting away" these days, I was really looking forward to this one. Friday afternoon we took the pups over to their "hotel" where they are quite the celebrated guests and headed out on our road trip. On the way up to our destination, I finally eeked out the first knee-high sock which took an entire skein of Lorna's Laces and came directly below the knee - I am very pleased! I started the second one, but am in no hurry to finish.

On the way up to the Central Coast, we ate lunch at Trattoria Grappolo (thanks for the idea, Beatrice) and got to visit a few wineries before the end of the day. Saturday we took in our second tour of Hearst Castle, which was very cool! My favorite stop on the tour was this amazing bedroom at the top of a tower called the Celestial Suite that seemed to glow with sunshine.

Now, its back to the grind and I've got plenty of homework I need to be getting to!

Without Further Ado

I have written about 5 drafts for this post, but never seem to get it published because I'm hung up on getting in those darned pictures. So, today a picture-less post and soon a FO post with loads of pictures - how about that?

That FO would be the green Orangina lace tank- I am 2" from finishing the ribbing, but I just got burned out on the project Sunday evening and set it aside. With any luck, I'll have it finished by the end of the week, including seaming (a cinch with this pattern). And if the weather would cooperate I could actually wear it without freezing something off!

My friend, Candice, came out to visit last weekend & we made our way over to the beach to enjoy the fantastic weather - it was great catching up with her & trying to be a good teacher of knitting as she worked on her first scarf and her first attempt at cables. I really shouldn't say attempt, because they came out great!

Finally, we are planning a Stitch & Pitch event in early June that I am really looking forward to....I think I'll drag those knee-high socks back out for that evening - they are dangerously close to hibernation & could use the fresh air.

Weekend Update

I got a LOT of knitting time this weekend + this is Spring Break, so I'll most likely get more done during the week too!

Change of plans with the socks - I decided to make knee highs & that means I'll be doing ribbing at the top to help them stay up instead of a picot edge. This also means I worked my fingers to the bone on these all weekend and still have 4" to complete the first one. I think it will we worth it, I love how substantial they are! Here is a sneak peak at the first one, which I'm taking careful notes on because I'm making this up as I go along:


Yes, that's 17" long including the toe so far - one of the few times I'm glad to be short.

Also, CO for Orangeina on Sunday & this is one (long) movie-worth of lace knitting:

Well, that's about it from here - hope yall are enjoying the work week &/or Spring Break for some!

Hello again

Sorry for the lack of posting lately - I've been dabbling in the knitting here & there without a lot of bloggable progress. This weekend we fought major Dodger traffic to go see an exhibit at the California Science Center which was really cool.

For knitting updates, I am almost done with one of two plain toe up socks that I'm making from the Lorna's Laces that I got from Bea. To make this more of a learning experience, I am planning on making these as knee-high as the yarn will last with a picot-edge bind off. I'll post a picture of these in the next day or two.

The lace of the green chemise is not coming out at all & without any knitterly resources around I just might be switching to a new green tank project....we'll see. So far, I seem to struggle when I get anywhere beyond the basics with lace knitting.

On a final note, I'm totally obsessing over cosmicpluto's lush & lacy and have already added it to my ravelry queue. I plan on getting the yarn if I can afford it next Thursday at AFY Knit Night which happens to be during SPRING BREAK - woo hoo!

Growth Spurts

This project (Clementine Shawlette) certainly grew in spurts - 20+ rows and then nothing for days (or weeks), but that is just what I've felt up for lately.

Many knitters on http://www.ravelry.com/ that were also working on this project had a lot to say about the graft at the end, but the seam doesn't bother me at all.

I liked this project - seriously simple lace that didn't keep me glued to the chart after I got the hang of things, but if I ever made this again...I would choose a darker color I'm more likely to get more wear out of and make it a little shorter to fit my frame better. I used 2.75 balls (50g) of Rowan Cashsoft 4 ply (merino, microfiber, and cashmere) on US 3 circulars.

This weekend is the change in time so we are blessed with more sunlight every day - I LOVE coming home when its still light outside, I feel so much more energetic.

Next up for projects, I'll be putting some energy into a fish blanket for my cousin & starting a green tank from the newest Interweave Knits that has a little lace paneling. The only substitute I forsee is the cotton - maybe Debbie Bliss Cathay instead? I really liked the Summertime tunic tank I made last spring out of that yarn.

Must get back to weekend lounging & snacking on Cadburry eggs - mmmm!

Recruiting Techniques

Fantastic news - my friend has started learning to knit! I suspect her main motivation is to make a copy of the entrelec scarf I finished last Fall Mine was inspired by fellow knitter, Sandy, who was inspired by someone else's scarf (I forget who)...For some reason, the combination of colors & patterns makes knitters & non-knitters alike covet one for themselves. I suppose its all good if it inspires new recruits.

The second half of the Clementine shawlette is on the needles, this is an enjoyable project for someone that isn't a huge fan of lace - namely, me!

The original plan was to post a picture, but none of them are coming out so I'll have to keep you in suspense for another couple of weeks while I finish it.