Knitting on Cloud IX: May 2009

Sunday, May 31, 2009

It is.........Beautiful Before Blocking

I finished my Aspen Leaf Wrap today and thought the piece was certainly worthy of a few shots Before Blocking! That is not the case with most lace knits.

Enough yarn remains to actually knit a scarf.....and I am of the belief my Mom would love one! Sounds like a super gift for her August birthday.

The wrap is blocking at this very moment......sooooo be on the look out for pictures of the finished knit tomorrow!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

knitting for your health

We all knew knitting was good for the soul. Now a bit more good news for all knitters out there...Soooooooo bring out the string and sticks and let's all knit our cares away!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Much of my knitting in the last couple of weeks has been in vain.

I started this and decided after the completion of two sleeves I wasn't happy with my yarn selection for the piece. The project is back in it's storage box awaiting a frogging party.

It was then on to yet another new venture. I was enjoying this knit, things were moving right along (I was actually close to finishing the entire front) when I found myself both concerned and irritated with obvious sizing issues. What a disappointment! Needless to say, the vest is back in it's storage box ready to join the Big frogging party with the Ruffled Jacket!

With the past behind me I felt I was ready to forge ahead. I now have Fiber Trends' Aspen Leaf Wrap on the needles. So far...So good! The project is far enough along to have proved itself as "completion worthy". Finally I'm happy with how a knit is working out.

My Aspen Leaf Wrap is knit with The Unique Sheep's Sushi Sock yarn (Insecta-Gradiance, colors #1, #2, #3,#4,#5 and #6). What a sweet yarn to knit!! The fingering weight fiber is 60% Merino/30% Bamboo/10% Nylon. My wrap will be knit with gradual shading in tones from purple/blue/green/and ending in gold.

This is the first part of the wrap in purple.

Look at the actual colors yet to come.

See a close up of the next five colors.

Tonight I started on the next color purple/blue and loving the gradual muted change. I love the way these colors are blending...What Fun!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Ishbel by Ysolda

This is my Ishbel in the breeze!

I picked up a skein of Socks That Rock fiber in the colorway "Brick" at the MDS&W Festival and knew immediately it would knit up as Ysolda's Ishbel. I'm thrilled with this beautiful vine patterned scarf.

I chose to knit the small version Ishbel using most of my 360 yds of STR on #5 needles.

Ysolda is a most gifted designer with very clear and straightforward directions!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

MDS&W

I was part of a Happy Group of Knitters from here that enjoyed a day in Maryland at the MDS&W Festival.

This was my second fiber festival and I must admit it was quite overwhelming for a new go'er such as myself. The main buildings were straightforward with fiber vendors and accessories, while the tents scattered about were loaded with many vendors you only see at festivals or perhaps on line. Never had I seen such an exhibit of beautiful hand dyed unique fibers! I was disappointed that I only had one day to enjoy at the festival, but can only imagine the possible damage done with another day to make a re-run of the tents. Perhaps things really do work out for the best.

I wandered around in a content and happy fog much of the time and sure I missed many tents and many of the Barns filled with Sheep, Alpacas, Ilamas, Rabbits and Sheep Dogs. Ahhhhh....the animals, such cuteness!!

Hopefully, I won't be so overexcited and will take in more of the sights, people and things around me at the next festival.

I came home with some sweet stash additions, blown glass stitch markers, fun jewelry, MDS&W goodies and TONS of good time memories with a group of lovely knitters.

How cute is this Sheep Necklace??