Did I Mention the Lace?

Yes, more delays in posting. This time, you get the lace that kept me away from the computer.

Pattern: Madeira Lace by Crystal Palace Yarns

Yarn: Kid Merino from Crystal Palace

Needles: I think US7 Addi Natura

Notes: The first time I tried this pattern, it was a dismal failure, but I was a very novice knitter. This time, it was a breeze. This was a gift for Young Man's fabulous art teacher.

Pattern: Victorian Ruby from Victorian Lace Today

Yarn: Kid Silk Haze

Needles: US 7 Addi Natura (I think)

Notes: Way cool pattern. Easy, but elegant. This one was a gift for Young Man's fantastic music teacher. She is leaving us for one year to teach music in China. This was to keep her warm in the winter and to remember us so that she returns.

Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl from Interweave Knits

Yarn: I can't remember! It's like Kid Silk Haze, but it is a different brand

Needles: one of the Addi Naturas (US7 or US8)

Notes: I like this pattern, but the yarn doesn't do it justice. The fuzziness clouds the nupps. The color was one that I adored in the ball, but knitted, it is too close to my hair color. It's still beautiful, but not quite what I had planned. Oh, yes, Young Man had to help.

I Blame the Hats

Two months AWOL! Oh, dear. It all started simply enough. After the fuzzy hats, I knit a green hat from the Charmed Knits house hat pattern for Young Man. There was enough yarn from that to make a second hat for Young Man's cousin. Of course, I had to make a pink beret for his sister. Next, there were baby hats. One of my nieces is expecting her first baby and the crafty folks at work are doing hats for a local hospital. Then there was need for another Shedir.


Pattern: House Hat from Charmed Knits
Yarn: Lion Brand Woolease Worsted
Needles: The ones called for in the pattern












Pattern: House Hat Beret from Charmed Knits
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted
Needles: Per the pattern








Pattern: Made-up roll brim hat
Yarn: BabySoft
Needles: US 3, I think









Pattern: Shedir from Knitty
Yarn: Rowan Calmer in purple
Needles: US 3










I'll save the next phase for another post. Today, it's a cloudy day.



And we have the first zucchini of the year!

Saturday Sky in the Odessa Forest

It's blue with baby persimmon leaves.



The forest? Well that is wrapped around the bunny and has an added bonus hat.


Project: Forbes Forest from Scarf Style

Yarn: RY Cashsoft DK
Needles: Addi Turbos in US6

Notes: Fun knit! I adore this yarn and had a great time learning to make bobbles and popcorns without turning my work. Since every project ends up with at least one oddity, this one had a doozie. They yarn came from three different sources and was in three different dyelots. I used the trick of switching balls of yarn for ever pair of rows. There is a noticable striping, but it almost looks planned.


Project: Odessa from Grumperina

Yarn: RY Cashsoft DK
Beads: Clear size 6 seed beads
Needles: Inox circular and Susan Bates dpns in US6 and Britney dpns in US4

Notes: This is my first knit beading project! It was super easy and looks great!

Booking Through Thursday and Then Some


Where do you do most of your reading? Your favorite spot? (Show a picture, if you want to!)
(And yes, I understand that these might not be the same thing--your favorite spot could be the beach, but you do most of your reading at home . . . in which case, tell me about both!)


Here is mine and it is both my favorite spot and the place where I do most of my reading. If it looks unlike someplace I might choose, there is an explanation. This is Young Man's lair (complete with favorite quilt and Harry Potter poster). This is where we snuggle up every night for reading before bedtime. The quilt is an I Spy quilt that I made several years ago.

Oh, and this is the big news of the week.

Booking Through Thursday

1. Speaking of writing in books, what about writing the entire thing? Do you write? Aspire to write? Dream about writing? I dream about writing, but it has never been more than a dream. Why? I have had several excuses for this over the years. At first, I thought that I hadn't "lived" enough (whatever that means). Then, I claimed that I didn't have the time. Now, I think I just am lazy. Writing is work. Passion is important, but good writing does take time and dedication. At this point in my life, that is not where my head is at. Maybe that will change in time. Mr. Engineer is convinced that I could be a fabulous writer and he wants me to write the Great American Novel so that we can both retire. Now who's the dreamer?


2. If you do write, do you do it for yourself, or because you hope to be published? (Or because you ARE published?) When I do write or even contemplate writing, it is for me. Being published is just too far out of sight to contemplate. Well, the absolute truth is that I am published - I had a research paper published in an obscure scientific journal when I was in college, but it's not something that is on my resume any more!