Finally!

Well, I've finally finished the deadline project I was working on.  Okay, I actually finished it on Sunday, but it's been busy around here.  I can't share any of the details yet, but boy am I glad to have it done and out of my life!

So now it's time for me to get started on the other deadline project that I have.  It's a vest that I'm designing for a woman, Bonnie, whose husband won it for her.

Earlier this year, I think it was February, Jay's school golf team held a golf tournament as a fundraiser.  Many individuals and businesses donated money, prizes, and/or supplies -- including me.  My contribution was a gift certificate for a golf sweater or vest, customized for the winner.  Well, the man who won it, Bob, decided that, as a thank you to his wife for supporting him in his love of golf, he would give the sweater to her.

Bonnie came to my house a couple of weeks ago, and we discussed the design details she was looking for, she selected the colors she wanted, and she told me the size she wanted it made in.

I placed the order, and it's now arrived.

Aren't these fabulous colors?!?  The variegated yarn is  Knit Picks Stroll Hand Painted Sock Yarn in the Pony Ride colorway, and the solid is Knit Picks Stroll Sock Yarn in the Agate Heather colorway.

Time to get everything balled up and start knitting.

Sideways Folded Scarf

This scarf was another Knit Picks project.  By the way, have I ever mentioned how much fun it is to be able to knit for them?  Getting to try out different books and patterns, not to mention their fabulous yarns, has really added to my wish list...and stash. 

Back to the scarf.  The pattern comes from Luxe Knits: The Accessories by Laura Zukaite.  It's a simple one page pattern that is very well written and easy to understand.  I don't remember there being any errors in the pattern.

It was an easy, fast knit, using Swish Worsted Yarn in Squirrel Heather and Stroll Sock Yarn in Dove Heather on size US 10 (6 mm) circular needles - I used the nickle plated Options interchangeables.  The Swish Worsted is used to work the folds, and the folds are the rows that took the longest to work as you pick up and knit the picked up stitches with the live stitches to create them.

The fabric between the folds is knit with the Stroll Sock yarn, and goes very quickly on the large needles.  The contrast of the lighter and darker yarns makes it lovely, and the wool yarn makes it warm.  It's also easy care because it's superwash.

Details:

Pattern Name:  Sideways Folded Scarf
Designer:  Laura Zukaite
Pattern Source:  Luxe Knits: The Accessories
Yarns:  Knit Picks Swish Worsted Yarn in Squirrel Heather
            Knit Picks Stroll Sock Yarn in Dove Heather
Needle: US 10 (6 mm) circular needles

Busy September

Well, I got back into this thinking I was finally going to have plenty of time to do it.  Was I ever wrong.

Over Labor Day weekend (I hope everyone had a great one!), I spent a lot of time on the links.  My game is finally starting to improve after being wrecked by the lesson I took, but it's still nothing great.  In addition, Jay and I went to a local Christian music festival.

The concerts were free and the acts were generally mediocre, but it was a fun way to spend an evening.

The groups that had the best musicianship were the ones whose style of music was my least preferred. Even so, they definitely had some skill.

The dancers that performed between sets were the best part of the entire festival.  Truly lovely.

Unfortunately, Jay lost his glasses at the event.  Who would take prescription eyewear that belongs to someone else?!?  We did get them replaced, but he's not nearly as happy with the replacement pair.

Jay has competed in 3 golf tournaments for the school team, and has won all of his matches.  Most of his teammates have as well, so they are currently undefeated -- Go Spartans!!

I am fortunate that I have been able to attend them all, and that it's been worth the drive.  One interesting fact that I discovered is that south of Tucson, on I-19, the distance markers and signage (except for the speed limit signs) all switches over from miles to kilometers.  It is the only place in America that I have seen metric used on all the signs.  Guess it's a good thing I paid attention to that portion of math class. ;)

When we bought our home, it came with the "builder's special" backyard landscaping -- there was none. 

To correct this, we contracted with Epifini Landscaping, Inc. to have our backyard done.  Our plan was simple -- a few raised beds, some trees, and a large patch of grass.  Epifini was only to put in the hardscaping, the sod, irrigation, and dig the holes for the trees, and they did an excellent job.  And despite the fact that we were not their only, or even one of their largest, customers, they always treated us as if we were.  I highly recommend them. 

Since we have to stay off the grass for at least two weeks, though, I won't be able to fill and plant the raised beds 'til then.  The trees are on order, but won't be in until at least January, so I'll get to plant them, too.  The pups are anxious to run and play on the grass in the sprinklers, but are being very good about staying off the grass at our request.  Thankfully, there is a dog park in town to run in, and walking trails through the neighborhood.

I'm working on a secret project, and, since there is a deadline on that, it's filling most of my time and is almost completed.  I've also got another deadline project to replace it when I finish, and the yarn comes in.  There are also several fun projects on my needles, but sadly, they are being neglected for the time being.  So, I'll get back to filling you all in on projects already completed...next time.

The Rosebud Shawl

This beautiful Faroese-style shawl features a rosebud pattern framed in diamonds.  Knit from the lower pointed edge up; the construction is unique in working each individual point in sequence -- somewhat similar to the way that entrelac is worked, but keep in mind the similarity is VERY slight.

 

 
Once all the points are finished, the center gusset and garter stitch side panels are worked simultaneously.  The top border is knit in unwrapped short rows, joining the border with the top edge of the shawl.  Wash, block, et voila!  A lovely bit of lace to wrap yourself in.

Although my description of the process is just a tad confusing ;), the pattern is very well written and easy to follow, but there is a little errata for one of the charts.  Once you have the chart correction, you MUST follow the pattern.  Even when you think it's doing something crazy, trust the pattern.  Then you, too, can have this lovely shawl for yourself.

 
Rosebud Faroese-Style Shawl by Margaret Stove is from the book Wrapped in Lace published by Interweave.

Knit for the July/August 2011 issue of the Knit Picks catalog (where it can be found on p. 5), using Knit Picks Shadow lace yarn in the "Nocturne Heather" colorway.