Ok Evelyn, This One's For You

My friend Evelyn just sent me a plea on Facebook for a blog fix.  And since, as is usually the case, Facebook wasn't going to let me comment I decided I better come up with a post from my phone.
Between life and knitting it seems like I've been too busy to crank up the laptop.  And pictures are on the camera, waiting for the laptop.  So...my feet volunteered to stand in... (stand in, get it?)  (I apologize for that silly digression.) ...for Gertrude and model Evelyn's faroese alpaca shawl in a quick picture.
It is already in the black hole stage, where it doesn't seem to grow much.  To be able to recognize progress, I move a marker to show where I am when I pick it up.  That helps immensely.
My toes report the fledgling shawl is soft and toasty.  You will love it, if I ever finish it.

Double Heelix Re-do?

What is my fascination with the Double Heelix sock pattern?  I wish I knew.
Once again I was all psyched up to learn this pattern that even Knitty.com labels as being "tangy".  And once again the class was cancelled.
Sigh.
At least they called before I left home. 
So I cranked up YouTube to learn about Judy's Magic fast-on.  I reread the pattern, thinking I can do this by myself.
I decided I can't.  So, either they find someone else who wants to learn, or I make regular spiral socks, with alternating solid colors for heels and toes on each sock.
I can live with that.
And we all know that right now, I don't need any more WIPs.

Red Roses Triangle--The Glamor Shots

No, not the model, but the shawl. I didn't have time to get it on straight, so the center line is off kilter, but you get the idea anyway.

The cormo silk is so soft and warm. One of my friends thought it wouldn't be very warm with all the holes. She hasn't met much wool yet. When she tried it on, she agreed it was very warm.
I really love it.

Inspiration

It is amazing what a little inspiration can do. I managed to catch a glimpse of a sleeping Maggie this past Friday. Only a glimpse as she was sleeping. Granted, her mother was waiting for her to wake up so she could nurse before going into the store, but I didn't want to be the one to wake her. But so cute,

I left a note on the car, stating that next time, I wanted to exchange some cuddle time for a sweater.

So, I needed to finish the sweater. It isn't done yet, but I am on the second sleeve, with just collar and button bands to finish.

I can almost feel that little snugglebug now.

Growing Knitting

Although I did start Lizzie's pullover, and am almost to the dividing point for Maggie's Cardi, I really have been working on Evelyn's alpaca faroese shawl.
I was able to finish all the shoulder shaping last night.  With Hubby at the cattle auction, and The Wolfman and Fiddler on the Roof on tv, it was some prime knitting time.

Oops, Did I Start Something?`

Yup, I sure did, two somethings.

As I mentioned, Lizzie was awfully cold when the latest cold snap occurred just after she got a haircut. So when I found this book and some lovely yarn (Sheepish in the colorway Pinkish) I knew what I had to do.

And so I cast on of course. I was torn between the cover sweater and a cabled sweater and finally opted for the cable. Pictures on that will follow. I have to figure how and where to add a hole for the leash.
And then, a friend went and had a baby girl. All my family ever has is boys. So when she had a little girl, born at home, even though the mother is also a knitter, I had to find something. And while paying for my sock class coming up in another week or so, I found some yarn for a feather and fan sweater found in 101 Designer One Skein Wonders. I only started this a couple days ago and am almost finished with the lace. I better check out my button dish for something girlie.

Another Finished Project!

The news my friend Evelyn has been waiting for! My red roses triangle shawl is finished.

I cast off yesterday, put in in to soak while I set up my cutting board and blocking squares on my bed. As it turned out, I needed more squares and it barely fit on the bed.

I did notice the wonky center seam and straightened after taking this picture. Now off and folded and waiting for a cooler day so I can show off and get some glamour shots. It will probably make an appearance next week at spin guild. Due to the Columbus Day holiday, no spinning this week because the building we meet at will be closed.

Vital statistics on the shawl. Made with my lipstick red cormo silk purchased from Jenny Setzer's both at Northern Michigan Lamb and Wool a couple years ago, about 8 ounces total, and I have only one smallish ball left. It is a 2 ply that varied from fingering to worsted weight, but I think looks lovely. The pattern is the flower lace from Evelyn Clarks lace triangle book. It measured about 8 feet across the top when blocked, and about 40 inches down the center to point. So pretty!

And Evelyn, there was some swatching going on, in alpaca. But I must confess.....

my poor little Lizzie was awfully cold the last cold snap, and a friend just had a baby girl, so I may have accidentally started a couple other new projects too.

Endings and Beginnings

I mentioned that the Blue Silk Triangle for Betty was finished last week. Gertrude agreed to pose with it.

I love the sheen and drape of the silk.
Then I planned to take a class on the Double Heelix socks, from a previous Knitty, where you knit socks from the heel out, beginning with a spiral, 2 color heel. But when I got to the yarn shop, they had had scheduling problems.

Instead they had socks for hands; beautiful lace and cabled mittens, knit on size 0 needles. What can I say. I took the class. And signed up for double heelix in a couple weeks.