Trellis and Flowers Stole

Being both lace and intarsia, this project moved a little more slowly than some.

But it did slowly grow and blossom into a thing of beauty,

and as it did, I fell more and more in love with this yarn

and, specifically, these colorways.  The Alpaca Cloud yarn in Midnight Heather, with its blues, blacks, greens, and purples that really only come out in the sun, like a raven's feathers.  The Tidepool heather, with it's greens, blues, and yellows, has a depth that pictures just cannot do justice to.

This project was a challenge for a few reasons, most of which I hope were corrected by the time the book went to press.  Even so, this project would still be challenging, so if you've never knit lace or intarsia before, I wouldn't recommend starting with this.  If, however, you are comfortable doing both, the final project is truly stunning.

Stunning enough that I'm tempted to knit another one for myself.

To really see it in all it's beauty, do checkout the July/August 2010 Knit Picks catalog, or you can see it on the website.  The photographer did a fabulous job.

Oh, and get yourself some of this yarn.  You won't regret it. 

Swap the Seasons, June Edition

Yesterday when I went to my mailbox, I had a wonderful surprise awaiting me.  A box from my swap partner!

I ripped off the brown paper wrapping and lifted the lid to see this:

I took out the envelope

and opened it up to see the cutest card ever!

I then took out the small brown box in the center on the top and opened it to find, carefully wrapped in golden tissue paper,

Wollemeise 100% Merino Superwash fingering weight wool!  The color is stunning and one of my favorites, and the yarn is sooo soft!  I've heard a lot about Wollemeise, but never experienced it before, and I must say it is, indeed, as lovely as I'd heard.

There was another box underneath that when opened revealed

knitknotes I Made This gift enclosure cards

The front reads, "I made this.  XOXOXO."  The back has "From", "Fiber", and "Care" lines.

An adorable Lantern Moon sheep that is really, when its tail is pulled,

a measuring tape!

And a beautiful red Chinese take-out box from Summit Tea Company filled with 

the most beautiful and delicious smelling Jasmine Blooming Tea.  

Next I took out the book, Flirting with Pride & Prejudice, Edited by Jennifer Crusie.

Most of my favorite books are 18th and 19th Century British and American literature, and among them, I have a soft spot for Jane Austen's writing.  Especially Pride & Prejudice.  I am, therefore, really looking forward to getting started on this book.  Perhaps with a cup of Jasmine Blooming Tea.

Finally I took out the pretty purple box and found it to be

GreenAir Lilac Blossom scented reed diffuser.  I love the smell of lilacs - they remind me of my Grandma K., and the many happy hours I spent at her home as a child.  Perfect!

As you can see, my swap partner spoiled me yet again.  I have been truly blessed to have been partnered with such a wonderful and thoughtful person.

So, who was it?  margokp!

Thank you so much!

A Little Competition

 Jordan competed in his first golf tournament yesterday.

He played one of the best games of his life, and (most importantly) had a good time while doing it.

He placed third and has the bronze medal to prove it.

Spinning

With the weather heating up, I haven't been doing as much knitting lately.  Instead, I've been spinning.

I've been working on getting the linen/tussah silk blend I'd purchased a while ago, spun up into laceweight for a Triangular Summer Shawl for me.  

It's done!

I finished the plying on Saturday,

and wound it off the bobbin and onto my niddy noddy, ready to set the spin.

Since I also had several hanks of different yarns waiting to have their spin set I added them in too.

The end result:

Linen/Tussah Silk blend, two-ply laceweight, 32 wpi, 764.5 yds.

Ashland Bay Colonial wool (in maroon), Navajo plied (3-ply) DK weight, 13 wpi, 328.16 yds.

Camel down, 4-ply cable plied DK weight, 13 wpi, 58.6 yds.

COFFEE???

I love coffee, especially the freshly ground and brewed coffee house coffee.  While visiting my in-laws I fell in love with a coffee maker that provides that same lovely taste at home:  The Cuisinart Grin 'N Brew with 10-cup thermal carafe. 

I wanted it so badly, but Scott wasn't willing to spend that much on a coffee maker.  (Sigh)

When we got our tax refund, we decided to go clothes shopping.  My favorite store, Kohl's, was having some pretty good sales, I had a 15% off everything coupon, and they were doing their Kohl's Cash promotion, so we went there.

Thanks to the Kohl's Cash we earned that day, and the fact that we really did need a new coffee maker, I was able to bring one home!

There is nothing like the heavenly scent of freshly brewed coffee, and since it has a thermal carafe, I no longer have to put up with coffee that tastes like it's been baking for hours.  Bliss!

The coffee is the Mocha Java blend from World Market (my other favorite store).  Rich and smooth with dark chocolate notes and very low acidity.  Just the way I like it.

And if you stop by the World Market website, don't forget to enter the contest.

New Suede Shoes

I didn't go into the store looking for shoes, but since I was already there... Well, you know how that happens.  Another fabulous find at Kohl's.

At first I only saw one of these shoes.  I liked it a lot, but couldn't find its mate.  I'd given up and was walking out of the aisle when, there it was, the missing shoe!  I tried them on and they were MY SIZE!  One of only 2 pairs left.  Unbelievably comfortable, especially with a heel that high.

LOVE!  

Again, found in the clearance section at 90% off.  That means the sale price was... $6.99!  I also had a coupon to take an additional 15% off (down to $5.94) and some Kohl's cash earned on an earlier shopping trip, making my final price, including tax:

$1.37!!!

New Additions

Thanks to the book sale area of my library and my wonderful friend Chris, my library has some new additions.

That's the complete Harry Potter series.  Jay has been wanting this for quite a while.  Thanks Chris!

From the top: Three Fates, Jewels of the Sun, Tears of the Moon, and Heart of the Sea by Nora Roberts; The Crossroad, The Covenant, The Englisher, and The Parting by Beverly Lewis; Chocolat by Joanne Harris (which I've been assured is much better than the movie); and Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë.  These are also courtesy of Chris (thanks again!).

Finally we have: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton; Crooked House by Agatha Christie, A Light in the Window by Jan Karon; Crafts Jamboree; and Better Homes and Gardens Stitchery and Crafts.  I just love old craft books!  And the book sale section of my library.

It's Getting Hot In Here

The mercury is climbing (we're expecting 106ºF today), but I can't complain too much.  After all, at least it's June.  And since this kind of weather usually gets started in April and it's supposed to drop below 100ºF for the weekend... I think I'll just be grateful. 

Gypsy has the best idea of how to spend the day.

Wherever you are, I hope you're keeping cool.

Shaker Throw

Now that the catalog is out, I can share about it!

I've completed the Shaker Throw from Knitter's At Home.  It's a Knit Picks project from the May/June 2010 catalog.

 

This lovely little lap-ghan (it's 40" X 46" including the fringe) is worked in panels of honeycomb and cables, then grafted together.

Yes, that does mean plenty of sewing, and lots of ends to weave in,

  

but in the end, it's not that big of a deal. 

And you end up with a lovely lap blanket.  

The edging is also knitted separately and sewn on with the fringe being knitted into the edging.  It was a new technique for me, and one I really like.  

Knit with Simply Cotton Organic Sport Yarn in the Marshmallow colorway.

Do make sure to check for errata before you begin.