the eternity scarf

This scarf is really an exaggerated cowl. It's knit in the round with three different stitch patterns; the cartridge rib, the cartridge horizontal rib and the last pattern consisting of the simple stockinette stitch. What an unbelievably fun knit! My cowl is knit in a deep deep green/black fiber and long enough to double it up or simply drape it around my shoulders over a jacket or coat! For sure this is a fine addition to my fall and winter wardrobe.

The positives of the Rowan - Lima are numerous! It is soft and a perfect match for this pattern and is in part responsible for that heavenly drape. So much so, I purchased 3 more balls for yet another Eternity Scarf in a brownish/gray.

The Skinny

Pattern: The Eternity Scarf

Designer: Michele Wang

Yarn: Rowan - Lima

fiber: 84% baby alpaca, 8% merino wool, 8% nylon

Amount: 3 balls/ 150 grams

Color: 881 - Rich Deep Green/Black

Needle Size: #9

under construction (part 1)

The last couple of months we have been in a state of uproar at our house with lots of much needed remodeling going on. It's a pretty exciting time that has been accompanied by lots of frustration. But now that everything is complete, we find all the inconveniences of the past, well worth it!

Here is the before of our bedroom door that goes out to the court yard, isn't it s.a.d?? and here is the after.... we think it is quite an improvement and quite lovely!

Be on the look out for my Under Construction (part 2)!!

Wrapigan...wrap or cardigan?

So Weird I haven't had a post on this wrap/cardigan project, no idea how it was missed, so here's an update. It's really a wrap/shawl but wears like a cardigan. That's right, a wrap with real life sleeves! The Wrapigan is a stitch poet design from Champagne maker and like her other patterns is one of its own and is sure to be a head turner. How could one not be charmed by the beautiful cable that runs the full length of the sleeve to then end with a fabulous bow at the cuff...can you stand it???

I'm especially attracted to the 10" flowing Peruvian Tweed fringe that graces the two bottom front panels. You may never knit a project with this fiber, but if you ever see it in a shop, don't miss the opportunity to touch it. It is Heavenly!

This knit was on my needles almost 1 1/2 years! Why? Now for sure there is quite a lot of knitting in this piece (really a good project for social knitting), but I really found my Wrapigan Mojo when I started the sleeves! What Fun! My heart was actually into the project and I was in a real state of excitement. No more facing miles of stockette stitches. There was only enjoyment as I began the first sleeve and watched the twisting of that large puffy cable that runs the sleeve length. Each sleeve is graced with a cute seed stitch bow at the cuff.

I can only say "I Love It"!

Pattern: Wrapigan by Champagne Maker

Fiber: Peruvian Tweed by Joseph Galler

100% Super fine Alpaca

Amount: 3 Skeins

Needle: #7

FO: Striped Feather & Fan Shawl

I can only say really wonderful things about this Striped Feather & Fan Shawl. - The Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn was as always, a joy to work with.
- The constant color changes kept the project interesting and fun.
- The pattern was so simple with an easy four row repeat. As much as I love making charts and marking off each row, it was kind of nice to just knit - a little like free styling!
- Imagine knitting a fingering weight on #9 or #10 needles. I continue to be amazed of the color depth and lusciousness of this piece.
- And it was quick. The shawl was knit in a couple of weeks with much ease.

This striped F&F project could work for any F&F pattern, simply knit 2 rows of one multi-color run and two rows of an accompanying multi-color way. I have seen this completed with sock yarn in two different brilliant jewel tones and it was beautiful!

Don't be surprised if you see another F&F on my needles....in totally bright jewel tones of course!

distraction

It's very difficult to impress Garden Man, but he really likes this one!

Maybe it's the airiness of the piece or maybe it's the color combinations so far or just maybe he sees the big smile on my face as I knit every colorful stitch. After his extremely positive comment I laughed while telling him of the years the Feather and Fan design had been around and was only an old idea with a new twist. He simply winked and whipped out the door to do what he does best...Garden.

This lovely knit is a stole in the making and knit using two different colors of Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn. Imagine knitting a fingering weight fiber on #9 needles and you will realize you have a wonderful light wrap. I'll follow up soon with all the details of this latest project, but I will tell you now, I'm really loving the effect of this Feather and Fan project.

Actually I have had a very non-productive knitting week with far too many distractions. One of the major distractions has been in my garden, I mean all those pretty flowers to appreciate and gaze at.

And to cut (only with the Garden Man's permission of course). And to gaze at some more. But the biggest distraction this week was this.............my Droid X! There has been much too much time spent getting cozy with this new (long sought after ) HOT phone! Check out the purple skin...you know how much I love purple!

With all those distractions it's no wonder I have so little knitting progress to share with you, but next week should be different story.

Hope you all have a Fabulous week-end!

it's a Mad Men thing..........

......and ohmahgah my obsession not only continues but is growing in strength.........

Season 4 brings Joan (Christina Hendricks) back to the office and in that real life-like Joan form we have come to expect. Some women make an impressive entrance, but no not Joan, Joan's strong point appears during her every exit. I mean that gal has a mean prance going on, the gal knows how to make an exit all right! Just imagine being a wife in the 60's and your husband working in an office with the likes of a Joan traipsing around.

And this is her office attire...............
(glad to see ya back Joan)

Just as unpopular and politically incorrect as cigarettes are in today's society...it was embraced in the 60's! Everybody and their cousins puffed like a freight train as if there was no tomorrow.

Seriously. As unhealthy as it was, those were the days???? or were they.....anyhoooo let's not get ourselves all worked up over the smoking thing - 'cause it's just another TV show ( to be savored).

Now how could one think or mention Mad Men and not speak of the dark and mysteeeerious Don Draper (Jon Hamm).

So virile. Such masculinity. He has the busiest zipper in town that certainly doesn't resolve or simplify his troubled life.

Check out this picture I came across....

Jon Hamm in stubbles and whiskers! The women want him and the men want to be him. ENJOY!

seaside throw and a change of heart

Seaside Throw is one knit that would be a great baby blankie that could be used continuously into the life of a small child. That wasn't the plan when this project was started, but the more I knit, the more I think my finished Vanilla - 100% cotton piece will be boxed in tissue paper waiting for that "Special Little Person". I'm enjoying the rhythm of this pattern and think it may be one of those knits you regret seeing end. One would think the natural Vanilla colorway would get boring, but it is pure yumminess! While a lot of knitting remains on Seaside, there is already plans for my next knit that will take me from the present loved natural color of the Seaside Throw to this................ Aade Long Artistic 8/1, colorway "Rainbow". Yes! This will be my next Ishbel, only this one will be on a larger scale and in a fabulous multi-rainbow of colors!