Every Which Way

Well, Wrap Me Up and call me ready for blocking!  The scarf is done. 

The movement of shades of Noro brings such delight to me.  I don't need massive bright color changes to energize or make happy times.  The interplay of texture, stitchery shades and beads of this swath sets me heart a twitter.

Wrap Me Up - either the shawl or scarf version - would make a superb knit along for any group looking for project to inspire.  This pattern would also make a great class for the knitter ready to move into intermediate work.  

This is a better view of the texture that wanders throughout the pattern.  Each motif is a star, but no single motif stands out as the dominate focus.  

Now the difficult decision is upon me.   Once blocked, is this a wearable art piece OR is it a piece of art to be hung upon the wall?

I am undecided.  What say you?

Like Spring Bursting Forth

It looks just like Spring on my desk top  Little bundles and loops of color appeared as if overnight.  And these flowers are named, in no particular order,  Oasis Mink,  Mirage Gin Blue, Avarice Indigo, Avarice Morph Blue,  Avarice Hand Paint 49, 29 & 74 and the every hopeful Jazz Wasabi.

Once again, Twisted Sisters, whom we all know are not sisters but are somewhat twisted,  held a little sale at the warehouse.  What else could get a vehicle full of women on the road before 8:00 am on a Saturday morning? 

Jazz is perhaps my favorite of these yarns and I have a project almost finished out of the stuff.  But, as you read above, I was smitten by Avarice and now have a huge amount of the stuff.  Why, given that I live in a desert that rarely dips below "chilly" do I fall for the alpaca?    Why?  Why?  Why? 

No plans for any of these purchases.  But it is mine - all mine!  

PS - am thinking that it is soon time to add instructions for the stash distribution to the family trust.  Only the worthy shall inherit the alpaca! 

A Little Addition

Get It Done!   Be crazy for finish-itis!   No More UFOs!

My mantra for the past week is yielding results.  First, it was the Thank You Shawl.  And by the way - that one blocked and was dry within a few hours.   Talk about immediate satisfaction.  I was feeling it, for sure.

Number two that finally - as in finally - finished is a cotton t-shirt for moi.    It was this bit of lace that caught my eye.  I had to do it - but not in the silk yarn of the pattern.  

Specifics:  Baby's Breath Tee from Lacy Little Knits by Iris Schreier.  A link to the book is here and elsewhere if you care to do your own search.    

My version is in Pure Pima from Berroco.  The shades available in this cotton are just the thing we all need for summer.    

Baby's Breath Tee is enhanced with the addition of a mohair blend inset at the neckline - - this in the same lace pattern of the lower edge and sleeves.   A really wonderful study in how the same stitches take on a totally new feel when the yarn is changed. 

I love the contradiction of these two different effects.  Although, there is some angst that the delicate wisps might prove too delicate in the connection to the cotton.  That is a mighty precarious transition right at the bind off of the mohair.

The crochet scallops around the neckline are my own little add to the pattern.    When I tried on the finished tee, something was missing.  Oh - it fit.  It was the pattern.  But it looked incomplete when it lay around my neck.

So, there was a little addition.   And another UFO bites the dust.

One Size Fits All

The stealth shawl is winging - or trucking - its way to a lovely person.  

This is another South Bay Shawlette from Lion Brand patterns.  The yarn is Deborah Norville Serenity Sock in the Picasso Marble color way.  This particular yarn has 25% bamboo to go along with the wool and nylon.

I am becoming a fan of yarns that have a touch of bamboo added.  There is something about the drape.  When applied to the neck area the bamboo addition actually has drape.  And I like that greatly.

It is highly possible, that in the future, almost all of my shawls will be crochet.  So fast and quick!  These I can whip out in a week or less.  Knit shawls take time.  Lots of time.  To be sure knitting one out of a fantabulous silk or cashmere is more cost effective than using the good stuff with a crochet hook.   But this was an instance where I wanted to thank a particularly thoughtful and giving individual and thank her quickly.  So, crochet it was!

By the way, the particular color way has a very denim shade along with green and orange.  Don't shiver or gasp!   It is beautiful and will be smashing with jeans or as flair over a white shirt.  

Stealth

This is a stealth project, so not much can be said.

Sock yarn - but not socks.

One size fits all.

Shoulder pain is hampering any attempt at progress.

'Tis a slow week.