200,000 and Still Rolling

Ok.....200,000 hits to the blog....another great milestone.  Thanks to everyone who supports me, puts up with my goofy stuff or just generally hangs around for a laugh or a good water shot.  What a great show of support.  Thank you all.  Rolling on......

Summer Flies

Ok....so I did a Summer Flies shawl...this has been on my to do list and now here it is.  I decided to do this in cotton so Mum could use it during the summer months and....Meredith enabled me to pick up some of this gorgeous Fair Trade Organic Cotton...Andean Mist Flamme Worsted. 

 

Summer

Ok....Welcome summer...I like the way you've eased your way in this year....

 

 

Pattern Blogging

Ok....for some reason, the Reversible Circles of Lace pattern has been a big hit and I even saw a blog post about it.  The versions she's made have been lovely.   http://katerynag.blogspot.com/2013/03/reversible-circles-of-lace.html

Also check out Ravelry for all the beautiful shawls made with the pattern.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reversible-circles-of-lace/people

 

 

 

 

Cashmere

Ok....quick picture of the featherweight cardigan that has been on my needles for a very long time.  Not exciting for me to knit stockinette stitch, but the yarn was lovely...until the end when it started just pulling apart.  Did not leave me with a comfortable feeling.  There are a lot of things I'm not happy with on this sweater...maybe the blocking with help some of it. 

The thought of taking it apart to make something else with this yarn has crossed my mind several times already this morning.

 

You may recognise the same pattern base in the alpaca coat I finished earlier this year.  http://olivemermaids.blogspot.com/2013/02/green-tweed-coat.html  I"m much happier with the coat.

Spinning Jacob

Ok....so I had picked up some Jacob fibre last year in Michigan and have been trying to figure out what to do with it.  Jan had also picked up the same amount of three colours...off white, gray and brown....which she decided she did not want to spin...so, they were added to my collection and after a little carding to make 5 colours from 3...the spinning began.  Over the last few days I have been at a spinning retreat in Monteagle, TN....really, you say...you went where to spin.  Yes, I did...as I do every year and once again, it was relaxing, rejuvinating and productive.  So nice to disconnect from the outside world for a moment to enjoy spinning with like-minded friends...and new friends.  The weather was beautiful which did lead to Saturday outdoor spinning. 

I managed to get all 3.5 pounds of the Jacob spun for a throw I'll knit at some point this year.  The yarn is bulky...and lofty....and lovely in it's natural state.  Everyone else was spinning beautiful colours....and I was spinning natural....   I'm going to have to spin some colour this week to get the glaze off my eyes.

Out the Back Door

Ok....so yes, I have plenty of knitting and spinning going on as you all know, but nothing to show at the moment...soon, very soon.  Seems I can't just work on one and finish it, I have to work on everything at once.  You know how it is.  In the meantime....I have been enjoying this really wonderful spring we're having and my back yard garden (pots).  What a joy to be outside working and playing in June....great spring.

 

 

For Kathy

Ok...like clockwork...on schedule for your birthday, the magnolia have begun to bloom. Happy Birthday!

For Ashlyn

Ok....so sometime last year (yes it's been that long), Ashlyn said....."Would you make me another blanket.  I love the one you made me when I was little and I still use it, but I'm taller now."  How could I resist such a plea. 

So I struggled with pattern, but not really colours because she does love blue and green.  I found the Ella Rae Seasons yarn, which is mostly acrylic (a must for a college student) and very soft.  Once I played with the pattern a bit and figured out the gauge and size I wanted, I was off.  I did have to take a break to finish a time sensitive project, but got right back to it.

So, Happy Birthday Ashlyn....21 looks great on you!!

Completing this makes 2 of the 7 I would like to knit this year.

Contest

Ok....Hey everyone...allfreeknitting.com is having a contest to name this pattern....jump on over to get your title in...they're choosing a winner on May 20th to get some yarn....

Magnolia in Bloom

Ok....so when I'm working from Mum's, I work at the dining room table.....which has a view out the front door....which lines up perfectly with the Magnolia tree.  It's a white magnolia and when I arrived it was a stick.  By the time I left, it was in full bloom and smelled wonderful.  This is what I saw during my time working from that spot.

 

Side note:  The first picture was on a day it snowed and sleeted. 

PS.....The last is a bloom from the purple magnolia, which I wish I could see bloom in full.

 

 

 

 

 

Cozy

Ok....so I'm on the throw/afghan/blanket making kick.  At first I thought, "I think I'll make one a month".....well, you know what happened to that idea.  I'm now going to make 6 or 7 this year.  I still think it's pushing it because there are so many other things I want to work on, but there you have it. 

Here is the first....a graduation present for Meghan.  You can find the pattern here from my pattern page.  Was fun to knit and came out beautiful, soft and cozy.  Knit with James C Brett Marble Chunky.  I first saw Reyna using this yarn for charity projects and since I needed to use acrylic for this project, I thought I'd give it a go.  I will be using it for most of this year's throws since they also have to be acrylic.  Also got to shoot it in front of Mum's blooming magnolia...