Elann-athon

I've decided I'm a joiner. I know. It's obvious. The scarf exchanges, the tote exchanges, theSecret Pal exchanges, I just have to join. So when I found out about the Elann Shawl-athon I just HAD to join. If you haven't been there before, Elann is a discount yarn site that has the most amazing free shawl patterns. I've got several of them on my "to do" list and even have the yarn for one. So when I came across the Elann-athon I just HAD to sign up. I'm so excited! I'm going to make the Pacific Waves shawl in Rose Garden. It is made with their Sonata yarn which is 100% cotton and is very colorful. I've never used cotton for anything other than small dishcloths so this will be a new experience for me. Also it is a very easy shawl pattern for when I don't want the complexity of the Victorian Lace pattern. The kick-off is on May Day but I told myself I have to get several things off the needles before I can put anything back on. So far 2 off and 2 to go. I think I'll be able to start this in about a week. I'll post progress as soon as there is any!

I Needed Another Scarf

Actually the last thing I need is another scarf but I just couldn't help myself. Every time I went in to my LYS, they had this amazingly soft, snuggly scarf hanging there. Each time I would fondle it but then tell myself I didn't need another scarf. The yarn is Cypress Mohair and it is a mix of acrylic and mohair. That was another reason not to make it - I generally don't like knitting with acrylic. But the mix of colors is amazing and it is just so incredibly soft that I found myself compelled to make one. I am so happy that I did. The yarn is wonderfully soft to knit with and the scarf is just so comforting to hold. To take this photo I sort of tossed the scarf in to the flowers. Then when I pulled up the photo on the computer I noticed it was shaped like a heart! The scarf must know that I love it. Too bad the weather is warming up now that I'm almost done!

Spring Challenge

I decided that I need to try something a little more challenging than the felted bag or typical scarf that I seem to be spending most of my time on. So I decided to try one of the shawls out of the Victorian Lace book. I bought some gorgeous alpaca silk at Stitches West and picked a shawl that I thought I could do. I must say that it is fun although it requires a LOT more attention that knitting a felted bag. I also keep ending up with the wrong number of stitches! Intrestingly enough, when I heard the author speak at stitches her view as that you just "fix it and add a new stitch" rather than going back and tearing things out. I like that approach! So far my little fixes don't appear to be noticeable but I think I won't truly find out until a get a little farther. Has anyone else made anything out of Victorian Lace?

Sadly No Knitting

Unfortunately there will be no knitting content in this post. I will explain why in a bit. However I wanted to share these photos with you and hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I do. This week the kids were off school so we went down to Monterey for several days with my folks. For those of you who aren't familiar with California, Monterey and it's better known sister city - Carmel, are on the coast of California about half way down the state. It is a gorgeous area and I always like going there although we don't get there very often. It is truly a gorgeous destination. As you drive along Highway 1 on the coast, I am always taken aback by the sheer wonder of it. Even though I live mere miles from the coast, I don't often get to the ocean. Whenever I do, I am always in awe. It's just amazing to me that I can be driving along and a few feet away is literally the edge of our country! I mean that's it. Turn right, drive a few feet and you are in the ocean. The gynormous (yes I got that word from my kids) Pacific Ocean. I don't know why it always amazes me so but it does. While in Monterey we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

(or the 'quarium as Master J would say) which is one of the best Aquarium's in the world. They have the most amazing sea life there and lots of opportunities to touch and learn. One of their best exhibits is the jellyfish exhibit. They have all sorts of jellies and have them in tanks with lights that make them look so incredibly beautiful. It is really a sight to behold. Also they have many amazing creatures such as the seahorse pictured here. Of course no trip would be complete without a trip to the yarn store so Mom and I went to Yarn by the Sea, the yarn store in Carmel where they sell not only yummy yarn but designer chocolate! I mean what more could you want out of life? Now for the "no knitting content part". That was the only bad part of the trip. I had been scouting out photo shoot locations for various knitting projects and Saturday morning I packed up the projects, grabbed the camera and headed out the door only to - GET WET! Yes it had started raining, then pouring and it didn't stop! I was so disappointed!! I was really looking forward to sharing pictures of "knitting by the sea." Oh well, I guess I'll just have to go back!

Just Shrug it Off

I was watching Knitty Gritty one night and saw this adorable shrug that appeared to be fairly quick and easy and looked like something Miss K would like. I've never knit anything even remotely like a sweater before but decided it was time. Not wanting to spend time making something she wasn't going to wear, I made her watch part of the show and she said she really liked it. Check - she likes it! So then I picked out the yarn (green of course) and showed that to her. Check - she likes the yarn. Next as I was knitting it I continually tried it on her and each time asked her if she liked it. Check - she continues to like it. And then (of course you know the ending to this sad tale) when I finished and put it on her she says, "It's OK, but it's too bad you didn't finish it while it was still cold outside!" WHAT??? It's only in the '60's and clearly a shrug isn't exactly a fisherman's sweater! She doesn't seem to like it. I don't think she is going to wear it. I'm so disappointed but maybe she'll change her mind. Oh well, I guess I'll have to "shrug" it off!

Fabulous SP10 Strikes Again

I got a fabulous box from my SP10 Secret Pal this week. Previously she sent me this adorable Vogue book on felted items. Sure enough there are several things in there that I can't wait to make. NOT that I need more projects but there is this adorable plaid bag and . . . Then on Monday this big box arrived. What a nice way to start the work week. I opened it and found the most wonderful things. First it was all organized in these nice need sections. Then I opened each one and found surprise after surprise. This AMAZINGLY soft and gorgeous Art Yarns silk yarn. The colorway is just scrumptios with the purple, teal and yellow. Any suggestions on what to make? Then there were two gorgeous skeins of Noro, hand lotion, candles and these totally cool gloves with polka dots to put on your hands after the lotion. They are so cute but they were too shy for a good photo. THANK YOU SO MUCH to my wonderful SP10 pal. You are so good to me. I love all my gifts and can't wait to use them!

Hoppy Easter!

Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Spring! Whatever your denomination (or not) this is a great time of year. The sun is out more often, the weather is warming up (most of the time) and the flowers are beginning to bloom. This time of year always feels like the start of something new to me. It is a great time to think of fresh knitting. It's time to put away those hats, scarves and wrist warmers and turn to spring knitting. I've started knitting with cotton - not something I've ever done before and I highly recommend it. It is so soft and the colors are amazing! Also it seems to be cheaper than some of the other yarns out there. So far I've only knit wash cloths but they are so quick and fun and they lead to instant gratification. Maybe next I'll knit a tank top or spring sweater! I think spring is a time to make new knitting resolutions just like New Year's. It's time to take on a new challenge, knit a fresh new item, just get out there and knit! So happy everything to everyone including Happy Spring Knitting!

And the winner is . . . .

Thanks to everyone who left a comment and participated in my blogiversary contest. It was so great to hear from all of you! I'm very flattered by all your kind words on my knit items and photography. I put all the names in a hat and out came Brooke. Congratulations Brooke - I will be sending you a box of goodies soon. Brooke was my upstream pal in SP8 and what a wonderful pal she was. I also want to say hello to my upstream pal in SP10 in case she is reading. My new pal sent me a wonderful little Vogue knitting book on felted items. Now I have even more things on my "to do" list! This photo is yet another ballband bag I am making. I can't thank Monica enough for this great pattern. My friend likes pink and brown so I'm desperately trying to get this done for her for Easter - do you think I'll make it?