Raindrops on Roses... it's finished!

I loved making this shawl once I got the hang of the lace part of the pattern. It helped so much to use markers and I don't know why it didn't occur to me to use them in the first place. Anyway, it's finished and I'm quite pleased with it.

These are the two yarns I used. According to the pattern, I had enough of the Mustang Sally to complete the shawl using just one skein. Although I don't think my gauge was off, I ran out of yarn and had to use the Aubergenius for the last few rows. I think it still looks lovely.

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD: 5
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD: -4
So far 2018: 23

Raindrops...

I wish we were having raindrops. Our weather prediction is for a tiny bit of rain this next week, but we'll see how that goes.

Anyway, I purchased some new yarn... BMFA STR Lightweight, of course, although I do have some "new to me" yarn coming soon. Colorways are Aubergenius and Mustang Sally and are they gorgeous or what!! I've decided to make another shawl, this time the Raindrops on Roses pattern. I'll be using the Mustang Sally so it will look very similar to the shawl pictured on the pattern when I'm finished. I like that it uses only one skein of yarn because that's all I have in that colorway.

I'm also working on my Traverse Bag. I'm taking it slow since I haven't made a bag in quite some time and it's so easy to make a mistake that can't be fixed. Especially with limited fabric. :)

I love Sundays... I'll be casting on my shawl as soon as I finish with this post, we've already eaten the glorious Blueberry Dutchbaby I made, the house is clean and chores are done, and hubby just got back from the market with the fresh blueberries, Sure Jell, and lids I needed for the Blueberry Jam I'm planning on making this afternoon.

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD: 4
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD: -3
So far 2018: 23

Socks... a new pattern for me.

I just realized that I never wrote a post about one of the last pairs of socks that I knit. I started and finished these in August and knit another pair of Tesserae's in November. This one was a new-to-me pattern and I found it interesting to knit. I will definitely make more of this pattern as it fits really well. Waffle Creams by Anne Hanson. Her patterns always make me happy!

I used BMFA STR Lightweight in Pond Scum colorway. To this date, still my very favorite yarn for socks. If you've tried it and like something better, I would love to hear from you.

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD:2
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD: -1
So far 2018: 23

Shawls, a finished hat, and the start of socks...

I've managed to block all the rest of the shawls that I made between October and December 2017. These are all made from the same pattern... the Forget Me Not Shawl pattern by Adrienne Ku. It's easy to knit and it's a pretty "fabric" when finished. I used sock yarn scraps for all three of these shawls and just combined as I went along.

Here's the first:

The darker shade is a dark purple, although it might almost look black in the photo. It looks purple IRL.

Here's the second:

... and here's the third one:

Forgive the photos on this one... irl the shawl is much brighter, more blue, more green, and more magenta... if that makes any sense. I'll take outdoor photos and I'm sure they will look more realistic when I take the "pretty" photos of all five so I can list them for sale in my etsy shop. My husband is going to take them into his workplace first so maybe I won't be listing all five. :)

The Liatris Hat is finished and I'm quite happy with it! It's a beret-style and looks cute when it's on. Too bad I don't have a model for the photos! :)

Last, but not least, I started a new pair of socks. The Go With The Flow sock pattern. I've made it before, it's easy to knit, and an interesting design. The yarn is BMFA STR Lightweight colorway Pop Rocks. They're going to be pretty!

Happy Weekend!

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD: 2
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD:1
So far 2018: 23

Another shawl...

Yesterday I blocked a second Reyna Shawl. Still using BMFA STR (a Rare Gems colorway) but in a much darker color than I've used before. It's a gorgeous color, but I found it difficult to see my stitches while knitting with it. That said, I got it done (with a little ripping out here and there) and I think it's lovely.

I'm new to blocking so I'm not sure I'm doing it the "right" way, but the first one turned out nicely so I'm doing it the same way I did that one. If someone knows a better way, please let me know.

We were also out in the yard yesterday doing a bit of weeding. It was a bit breezy, but the temperature was just perfect. The ground was still a bit wet from the rains so the weeds came up easy. I love it when that happens, but since we got the two new Queen palms and the rest of the border planted, I've been making a special effort to get them pulled before they mature. I'm happy to say that the herbs I planted at the same time are doing well, as well as the two Bougainvillea we put in.

Oregano... Mmm, love it and use a lot of it in my cooking. It's great on roasted potato wedges with olive oil, salt & pepper.

Now it's Monday and the work week begins.

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD: 1
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD:
So far 2018: 23

Blocking and knitting...

I finally received the lace blocking wires and blocking mats that I ordered and now have started to block the five shawls I completed last October through December. I'll post them for you to see when they are all finished and looking pretty! I started one while we were in Mammoth Lakes for a week and while setting it out to block it brought back good memories of a fun trip. I love when that happens.

This is actually the very last one I finished, but it's the easiest to block since there weren't many ends that needed to be woven in. It's the Reyna Shawl and I used BMFA STR Lightweight yarn to knit it. Can't remember the colorway, but it's pretty! It's an easy knit and looks very elegant.

It's what I call "neutral" in color, but it has the very lightest hint of pink in some areas. These photos are taken with a lens I forgot I had and so I'm playing around with it. The little sparkles are water droplets.

While I'm taking photos I thought you should see my Liatris Hat also. It's gonna be a pretty one! I used Ella Rae Lace Merino for this one... only because I had it and wanted to get it used up. I wouldn't have purposely picked this yarn for this hat, but I really like it now that I'm using it.

Ok... I like being a little flexible, but it does mean things change, doesn't it. That's the case with QuiltCon. One minute I'm going, the next I'm not. I'm disappointed I won't get to see my good friend, but other than that it's definitely ok with me.

Oh, a side note... I've been growing out my hair since October. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it, but I'm hanging in there. I haven't had hair this long (it's halfway between my chin and shoulders) since my late 30s and frankly, I haven't found a way to style it yet that I like. It's not long enough to pull into a "ponytail." Naturally curly hair has always been a challenge for me. I told my husband that I would have lived an entirely different life if I had born with straight hair! :)

Also, you probably shouldn't get used to me posting three times a week... I think it's just a fluke that it worked out that way this week. :) I'm also on Instagram as @quilternity if you're interested.

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD: 1
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD:
So far 2018: 23