tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89350303515160517832024-03-16T09:32:03.022-04:00In the Studio with KnittingAmazon"You can do the work of the mind without the hand, but not that of the
hand without the mind." (Danish proverb)Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.comBlogger1932125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-40892920868380007642024-03-16T09:31:00.002-04:002024-03-16T09:31:15.001-04:00Ramea - Front and Both Sleeves Done!<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsVXJgPnY2DhMVhMO2pBjrB3y_xMIOYjwYbK-uvVWxbl0ho7dlRIAKWxuEta0HJ67yyEwdFzdqYd7OOdNxsYV24z7UldAHqLqrLX0CNqPgRhvOsebYS53MGr70N_PHo73vAqhJn25f4QYWqVOek1Yix0LMb5g34FVucnIHyeAoQfanP-f4dARuV_Vl6Q/s3264/IMG_2023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsVXJgPnY2DhMVhMO2pBjrB3y_xMIOYjwYbK-uvVWxbl0ho7dlRIAKWxuEta0HJ67yyEwdFzdqYd7OOdNxsYV24z7UldAHqLqrLX0CNqPgRhvOsebYS53MGr70N_PHo73vAqhJn25f4QYWqVOek1Yix0LMb5g34FVucnIHyeAoQfanP-f4dARuV_Vl6Q/s320/IMG_2023.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>The really exciting news is that I have finally finished the front of my Ramea. I started planning this project over a year ago (after seeing it on the Fleece and Harmony knitting video podcast when I was binging the earlier episodes). I swatched for it back in January 2024.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYFTt1OJUOwTBsaK2DyppdLHe3DrVohjuAae10KEnmRX7Q3qSmNxTNcfGdhImuuGqwESzxmgmta0BQknk7PU34fUtvBjcD_snjZfMh7TybeBUEGq0ucrNszLkKihRt2BuzLIRIxp6srgJHyXcdEzrlLm0bpPhmtpOCYzjlA-ir7P-FA8Wij3DAsFBQYc/s3264/IMG_1660.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYFTt1OJUOwTBsaK2DyppdLHe3DrVohjuAae10KEnmRX7Q3qSmNxTNcfGdhImuuGqwESzxmgmta0BQknk7PU34fUtvBjcD_snjZfMh7TybeBUEGq0ucrNszLkKihRt2BuzLIRIxp6srgJHyXcdEzrlLm0bpPhmtpOCYzjlA-ir7P-FA8Wij3DAsFBQYc/s320/IMG_1660.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOF8nF1WSOV2E8YhleJjSmPxaM6b1r57jG7RAkCENguSdBMeqFLbIhBUAYos62t6EctHHAUFpbE0n7p_-zxv2dSxiXXepxBXbp_6zjB635z4levQAPK2NQ2nJVzGAywUMxARlfczdaprwe1YvYipveNIMuUUDTJ6jRdn3dD9rUpYOpMHUsZqHvEAfTZUo/s3264/IMG_1661.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOF8nF1WSOV2E8YhleJjSmPxaM6b1r57jG7RAkCENguSdBMeqFLbIhBUAYos62t6EctHHAUFpbE0n7p_-zxv2dSxiXXepxBXbp_6zjB635z4levQAPK2NQ2nJVzGAywUMxARlfczdaprwe1YvYipveNIMuUUDTJ6jRdn3dD9rUpYOpMHUsZqHvEAfTZUo/s320/IMG_1661.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Finally casting on in November. The first sleeve worked up quickly, but the lace front took me a while.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-Cmm2AOuUJbsNU27PWRZ_BxfJ3sHWrKUcsLSKr0wLrQ2uP7bK39ifNYM2it10UXYWm6bix_AGFpnnMQKc9e1WiMlzbiPG_5SS5DqeiPK9fqBvW8trIJ-mIq3Gm-Xqbi4fW1GslqCx-AJg9qvWnMLXnSHtA1-vakJVuWHK94D5Fy6Im9GmwBso0ewXGs/s3264/IMG_2019.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-Cmm2AOuUJbsNU27PWRZ_BxfJ3sHWrKUcsLSKr0wLrQ2uP7bK39ifNYM2it10UXYWm6bix_AGFpnnMQKc9e1WiMlzbiPG_5SS5DqeiPK9fqBvW8trIJ-mIq3Gm-Xqbi4fW1GslqCx-AJg9qvWnMLXnSHtA1-vakJVuWHK94D5Fy6Im9GmwBso0ewXGs/s320/IMG_2019.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Once I finished the lace front I immediately moved on to sleeve number two. And after I finished the knitting I blocked before I grafted the sleeve together.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xc4Wgsga8EWgvUroap-DKHuWq4xlJV31tbPlkia0_TMfB8JPwn6K417szx9SmctZW6zFZ0prs9c-1CQWFf2sE7yFKwp7BtfrV5ubMjQKreOEhzb5nKVZdB043kKAkatvJuiBnelXLGh-7i4x4Q8_I3AqD98W-2lBYocRdIVrz-SxLCmQJ8LfggntKbY/s3264/IMG_2020.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xc4Wgsga8EWgvUroap-DKHuWq4xlJV31tbPlkia0_TMfB8JPwn6K417szx9SmctZW6zFZ0prs9c-1CQWFf2sE7yFKwp7BtfrV5ubMjQKreOEhzb5nKVZdB043kKAkatvJuiBnelXLGh-7i4x4Q8_I3AqD98W-2lBYocRdIVrz-SxLCmQJ8LfggntKbY/s320/IMG_2020.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I blocked it right side down to make it easier to pin out, and ended up putting a cookie canister (Pepperidge Farm) in the other sleeve to keep the shape proper. I’ll use canisters in both sleeves when I do the final block, it worked perfectly. Now I’m working the back, which is just straight stockinette. It is nice to get some pretty mindless knitting, and to get rid of some of the needles that I had holding stitches. While working the second sleeve I had needles for both sides of the body, and the other side of the sleeve - so four sets total. It did get a little crazy at times. Now I just have two.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Ramea by Jennifer Beale</div><div>Yarn: Karabella Yarns Aurora 4</div><div>Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm), US 1.5 (2.5 mm), US 2.5 (3.0 mm)<br /><div><br /><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div></div></div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-34240661235554889082024-03-16T09:15:00.000-04:002024-03-16T09:15:11.212-04:00Nightmare Before Christmas Sally Shawl - Two Skeins Done<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nMPMancsXUZfiY5Mea5oZHUWD7aS-fsSvn5mC3RDwkRKxTHQ_N3lS-1EJb3TxOoseDCwMh3lRwPh4mB3IZJllZOpAU83cLq_F9XGjaQxnVSxUXr4sg0ROn5-gU1OKcUdmBVR8drqK9rqwxjdlwQ3DhchkVaDnMacUNbAx7CY4bvdfWsBn9XI2oTiaHk/s3264/IMG_2025.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nMPMancsXUZfiY5Mea5oZHUWD7aS-fsSvn5mC3RDwkRKxTHQ_N3lS-1EJb3TxOoseDCwMh3lRwPh4mB3IZJllZOpAU83cLq_F9XGjaQxnVSxUXr4sg0ROn5-gU1OKcUdmBVR8drqK9rqwxjdlwQ3DhchkVaDnMacUNbAx7CY4bvdfWsBn9XI2oTiaHk/s320/IMG_2025.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>I have also been making progress on my latest mindless project that I knit on at work, completing the first two skeins of the mini set and starting the third. I like the color block thing that is going on here.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Improvised Garter Stitch Boomerang Shawl</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering & Kiri</div><div>Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-85250566321337436172024-03-16T09:05:00.001-04:002024-03-16T09:05:27.268-04:00Fleece and Harmony Mystery Blanket 2024 - Second January Block - Making Progress<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXKWsMAPFeSpz9hVPsV9Kdjm8pTTGMydwiVdxlCNM-0zIMbRX1QRx0MMsr-gLNo1CHAqJ-YlhKEoOTPqL0WJW2eWDb20QiZiHJYT0clQP3_Ho0nh8f-JI0a6vTEtsJS1OjTjdlTCtLbuK0s0Y-Wd4u-FuSDsqMUBkEspjgRYpky6xdDTclWlnuaxKWbg/s3264/IMG_2024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXKWsMAPFeSpz9hVPsV9Kdjm8pTTGMydwiVdxlCNM-0zIMbRX1QRx0MMsr-gLNo1CHAqJ-YlhKEoOTPqL0WJW2eWDb20QiZiHJYT0clQP3_Ho0nh8f-JI0a6vTEtsJS1OjTjdlTCtLbuK0s0Y-Wd4u-FuSDsqMUBkEspjgRYpky6xdDTclWlnuaxKWbg/s320/IMG_2024.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I have slowly been making progress on my second January block. I did take the time to completely set up the chart in knitCompanion (with magic markers and stitch counts), and am even getting the hang of purling continental. The blue jay is starting to emerge.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">January colors: A Night Without Stars and November Sky</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pattern: Fleece and Harmony Mystery Blanket 2024</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yarn: Fleece and Harmony Selkirk Worsted</div><div style="text-align: left;">Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)<br /> </div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-40334853574462470382024-03-16T09:00:00.000-04:002024-03-16T09:00:13.970-04:00Joy to the World - Dragons - Finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbYwtt0ZBGcJ4WEteIALaoQnvQaqGknQXj0IbJw4ktxwTFSSJt8Imiubjw-Y4BbP7ZawTYKMt8Mz-tLuMqbV2hcTs4gF9A7xDHdkB-OspB30F5jciSH8vhMv0zLqGQvMlAFVJz1Fn2h5kWubYNg3OsPTKDogB86VFeLdCxoytYEIjo-1DooYoFNIUdzQ/s3264/IMG_2016.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbYwtt0ZBGcJ4WEteIALaoQnvQaqGknQXj0IbJw4ktxwTFSSJt8Imiubjw-Y4BbP7ZawTYKMt8Mz-tLuMqbV2hcTs4gF9A7xDHdkB-OspB30F5jciSH8vhMv0zLqGQvMlAFVJz1Fn2h5kWubYNg3OsPTKDogB86VFeLdCxoytYEIjo-1DooYoFNIUdzQ/s320/IMG_2016.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>I finished this up on February 28 while I was home from work, taking a sick day. I knit the border and read the third book in The Bear and the Nightingale trilogy by Katherine Arden. A book recommendation that I had gotten from Harmony Reads, the companion book video podcast to the Fleece and Harmony knitting video podcast. I highly recommend the trilogy. It was a very good read.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PveVPG09SYFw0bQJFkTeJW1yZDYtQc3z_SZCPUTlhDG7znTbWd0KbwneHqY2z-C9fR9IOwR8EEZRcS2IRBjshI_UbUJJxdcU_8QxWMZrjWbonBZz72b1adhXs8T8wVWnyhgYeoo-ONbbCICUmzuiOLRIXWHRhTt_rfsymGAHwMKFeZncj0xM5igqgbY/s3264/IMG_2015.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PveVPG09SYFw0bQJFkTeJW1yZDYtQc3z_SZCPUTlhDG7znTbWd0KbwneHqY2z-C9fR9IOwR8EEZRcS2IRBjshI_UbUJJxdcU_8QxWMZrjWbonBZz72b1adhXs8T8wVWnyhgYeoo-ONbbCICUmzuiOLRIXWHRhTt_rfsymGAHwMKFeZncj0xM5igqgbY/s320/IMG_2015.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>I’ve already worn this shawl to work twice, and showed it off at a Fruity Knitting Knit & Chat Zoom session.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP6YSacXUpraLS00zKufw9VWBFt-lSy_7rSXjOLUlP8QEionf08L-j97PSECZpBxHK0tYz9IiL60bLeWNsXx_o38yUhrNgwpAVD3qJx_dBPJSngPsdGe0EWMx7xVihHggPsLmB8n0lQ4J_gfn0iNMlIKTwzpdmNgj9jKzWyALKlLZlHmEqHQBmDP9NrI/s3264/IMG_2009.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP6YSacXUpraLS00zKufw9VWBFt-lSy_7rSXjOLUlP8QEionf08L-j97PSECZpBxHK0tYz9IiL60bLeWNsXx_o38yUhrNgwpAVD3qJx_dBPJSngPsdGe0EWMx7xVihHggPsLmB8n0lQ4J_gfn0iNMlIKTwzpdmNgj9jKzWyALKlLZlHmEqHQBmDP9NrI/s320/IMG_2009.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Completion of this shawl uses up the The Unique Sheep Dragon Advent Calendar from 2018, and most of another skein in my stash - the brown border, which was part of a neutral trio that I picked up at a Unique Sheep Retreat, when those were still happening.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Joy to the World by Louise Robert</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering and Kiri</div><div>Needle: US 3 (3.25 mm)<br /><div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-22370928659376640932024-03-06T09:12:00.000-05:002024-03-06T09:12:46.199-05:00Electric Oogie Boogie Shawl - Border Started!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5YIK5TCepqfZvhxK1rYAPDBo7kh9E8SE-eo_PK75-1nIEcbcF4QV9aW3Q1AFoFzK0NnL7j-Ss_e0DEqK7nMTh5NvI6G2TvrPoQ9p-icwfIni6xfH6LLMTWQ1a_HGptw7iWcyKsTTpGMS76MYCWOZJL2Podj9tXekdh2i2ySYgUAVJZvw_q4nRMoR6i0/s3264/IMG_2012.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5YIK5TCepqfZvhxK1rYAPDBo7kh9E8SE-eo_PK75-1nIEcbcF4QV9aW3Q1AFoFzK0NnL7j-Ss_e0DEqK7nMTh5NvI6G2TvrPoQ9p-icwfIni6xfH6LLMTWQ1a_HGptw7iWcyKsTTpGMS76MYCWOZJL2Podj9tXekdh2i2ySYgUAVJZvw_q4nRMoR6i0/s320/IMG_2012.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>It took me some pondering before I finally settled on a color for the border. I also considered a bright yellow, but in the end I decided to go for a gold. I am also using dark purple silver lined beads from deep stash. I tried a bright blue silver lined bead but it just didn’t work. This skein is from my Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere collection. The color is Gold Experience. Loving color as I do, I do love Dream in Color yarns.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Over the Moon by Vicki Mikulak</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering & Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere</div><div>Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)</div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-16428064773230097512024-03-06T09:07:00.000-05:002024-03-06T09:07:20.364-05:00Nightmare Before Christmas Sally Shawl - Cast On!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xzgYMZeXUym9PZ8KoLCASVrz8RwCwI4pPTlxQWeRun04Xbcwg3SpMf00vMTGFl4T_hIdcbN_61EOydL1n6KS-KQWIxHelONvt_tVPpmA-i8_D1vKaTqpO_X3XCFUuZJpxUShOUlzfd4JbZyL7nrXOYKhS60cIoQmZUOLosiVzc0wqwU_veDKxm96hQU/s3264/IMG_2010.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xzgYMZeXUym9PZ8KoLCASVrz8RwCwI4pPTlxQWeRun04Xbcwg3SpMf00vMTGFl4T_hIdcbN_61EOydL1n6KS-KQWIxHelONvt_tVPpmA-i8_D1vKaTqpO_X3XCFUuZJpxUShOUlzfd4JbZyL7nrXOYKhS60cIoQmZUOLosiVzc0wqwU_veDKxm96hQU/s320/IMG_2010.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>When I got home from my 10.5 hour day on Monday I knew that I was going to need another simple project for my work bag, so I caked up another six mini-skeins from the Nightmare Before Christmas Advent set. This set was inspired by the character Sally. There were two skeins that were labeled as Speckle even though they obviously were not so I guessed, based on the other skeins in the Advent set, that they belonged here and assumed that the number on the label was correct even if the name was wrong. The dark red skein at the top is the one that I was hoping to use on both this shawl and the Speckles Shawl, but it doesn’t really go with the Speckles Shawl. I was casting this shawl on just as I was signing in to my year end review with my supervisor. She mentioned that she had sought feedback from my peers (the other Chief Engineers) and that someone had mentioned my knitting in meetings, and that folks might think that I wasn’t paying attention. Fortunately she didn’t think it was a big deal, but she did feel that she had to mention it. Some years ago a previous supervisor actually wrote me a disciplinary letter regarding knitting in meetings. I explained to my current supervisor why I knit in meetings and when I’m reading documents (it helps keep me focused), and also mentioned that I was knitting in our meeting. I’m retiring at the end of the year, so I really don’t care at this point.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Improvised Garter Stitch Boomerang Shawl</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering & Kiri</div><div>Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)</div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-18770686850134913392024-03-06T08:54:00.000-05:002024-03-06T08:54:33.509-05:00Nightmare Before Christmas Speckles Shawl - Body Done, and Border Started!<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4t-mt1rioE5NH4L4E_b3tJ46sKDFB8VRL9R96sLVVnJq3Sr678iYHq9A8km4wUel8w_sowuo5kWDmevoOXYk0n0KKzukHFzwon7e3p-ooM-sXj6hYi9wqk4q_2awulCZZO6MBA-GV_F2iRWDfvQDZbDFmv91pzdw0synZ6LvA93KK3DlC2sdFFidnuzA/s3264/IMG_2011.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4t-mt1rioE5NH4L4E_b3tJ46sKDFB8VRL9R96sLVVnJq3Sr678iYHq9A8km4wUel8w_sowuo5kWDmevoOXYk0n0KKzukHFzwon7e3p-ooM-sXj6hYi9wqk4q_2awulCZZO6MBA-GV_F2iRWDfvQDZbDFmv91pzdw0synZ6LvA93KK3DlC2sdFFidnuzA/s320/IMG_2011.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>I was in an all day class on Monday, so I got a lot of knitting done on this shawl, getting to the last mini-skein. I finished it up Tuesday in some virtual meetings, so yesterday when I got home from work I picked through my stash and found a color for the border. I knew I wanted red. I was going to go for a dark red, but it didn’t really work with the colors of the shawl, so in the end I went with a brighter red. It is another skein of Sundara Yarn Extra Fine Fingering Merino that was dyed up for a temperature blanket that I bought and never knit. This color was for temperatures 91-100.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2yY3HzR8SWbg4siPxyewbiJC7V0DNCZ4EnLks_6ch3ZgSN7lBt5Z_IaI4HDXH4HJ4eOroF4Oq3_Rkdu1Q90wvsktwFx_IesuxGJioilJghs5Jr1OH66eGKqP4ZjLt-G1ymgNPbsUTXugjQDsRyP3cDVbbc2-_uk0Xn6qDlf8YDKwKR2ohF64l_Kecpg/s3264/IMG_2013.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2yY3HzR8SWbg4siPxyewbiJC7V0DNCZ4EnLks_6ch3ZgSN7lBt5Z_IaI4HDXH4HJ4eOroF4Oq3_Rkdu1Q90wvsktwFx_IesuxGJioilJghs5Jr1OH66eGKqP4ZjLt-G1ymgNPbsUTXugjQDsRyP3cDVbbc2-_uk0Xn6qDlf8YDKwKR2ohF64l_Kecpg/s320/IMG_2013.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>It definitely pops.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Pattern: Improvised Garter Stitch Boomerang Shawl</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply Merino Fingering and Sundara Yarn Extra Fine Fingering Merino</div><div style="text-align: left;">Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)</div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-36774640165944386572024-03-02T09:15:00.000-05:002024-03-02T09:15:15.474-05:00Nightmare Before Christmas Speckles Shawl - Three Skeins Done!<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8VWMnT-dPyx_1XOvbXVUpZxPNBppraGbMCobsCm0Jd7_5jAWB4yuhZs8KNr6irn0lDMgAMTaZ5qn3Z-Aw3Tb0FiADIF05n-6PRVezjJL7l1Z_X7Wzkl6en33AWeRaO1IG1uuz3EC9vMyQ7-N96DYej5ZLpdq07l_mcwgbC1RKtbyC7eGTWve8AhrhOE/s3264/IMG_2004.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8VWMnT-dPyx_1XOvbXVUpZxPNBppraGbMCobsCm0Jd7_5jAWB4yuhZs8KNr6irn0lDMgAMTaZ5qn3Z-Aw3Tb0FiADIF05n-6PRVezjJL7l1Z_X7Wzkl6en33AWeRaO1IG1uuz3EC9vMyQ7-N96DYej5ZLpdq07l_mcwgbC1RKtbyC7eGTWve8AhrhOE/s320/IMG_2004.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>I managed to get a fair bit of knitting done this past week at the office, thanks to meetings, and having to read documents. I am actually about half way through the fourth skein. I do like the way that this is working up. I have a skein of dark red that I may use for the border. I have another set of six skeins from this Advent set that will also become a Garter Stitch Boomerang Shawl, and I can get the edging for both shawls out of a single skein.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pattern: Improvised Garter Stitch Boomerang Shawl</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering</div><div style="text-align: left;">Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)<br /> </div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-44588521718831842242024-03-02T09:01:00.001-05:002024-03-02T09:01:35.838-05:00Sweet as Honey Cowl - Cast On, Take Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K0h39NhS7WOiH7DAMrUSicAlb59ylGN_vyvGoqsASK8S-p_tlsvQBKcsC2fWP7MGdRKes_Yd5040Z7oYWSnPdbc4Ye_FBkG4nEzkUTR9SxaS70OHlz_cIpE2CR-oakmgVHHBwtaKXMaXTxy_4okBmAhWitUQvPCubIrdmqAQkOwiX4dhXK1niwYNJ-8/s3264/IMG_2007.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K0h39NhS7WOiH7DAMrUSicAlb59ylGN_vyvGoqsASK8S-p_tlsvQBKcsC2fWP7MGdRKes_Yd5040Z7oYWSnPdbc4Ye_FBkG4nEzkUTR9SxaS70OHlz_cIpE2CR-oakmgVHHBwtaKXMaXTxy_4okBmAhWitUQvPCubIrdmqAQkOwiX4dhXK1niwYNJ-8/s320/IMG_2007.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>After working my Fleece and Harmony Mystery Blanket 2024 gauge swatch I decided to restart my Sweet as Honey Cowl on larger needles. I ended up going with a US 5 (3.75 mm) needle instead of the US 3 (3.25 mm) needle that the pattern recommended. I’m thinking the designer is a looser knitting than I am. I am working this on 20 inch circulars, and it fits easily without the stitches being crowded (I was working the previous version on 16 inch circulars) so I am more confident that I will actually be able to wear this as a cowl and will not be forced to turn it into a hat, or a small pillow. If you look close, you can see the bees starting to emerge. I also switched the 1x1 rib to a 2x2 rib, which I prefer.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Sweet as Honey Cowl by Simone Van Iderstine</div><div>Yarn: Fleece and Harmony Selkirk Worsted in Autumn Birch and Plover</div><div>Needle: US 5 (3.75 mm)</div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-57110315979623537042024-03-02T08:45:00.000-05:002024-03-02T08:45:11.295-05:00Fleece and Harmony Mystery Blanket 2024 - One January Block Done, Second One Cast On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cAgfvrdc0OGPKaKi57dnm2PKGIeainvxGTYF74VRmMC7cuGvy-iOBJJ8npybJnMQJWfaYNUF77vuoCPq7ByzbIhrZYgvDwSf68_T4en-8KeKe55C7sfUd0X-1chjrIeBswv43vttjVyp8YXdf-yovHxeFGEE5SqOb_B0Di0J2DyqdXANc-2SoLhH4-M/s3264/IMG_1999.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cAgfvrdc0OGPKaKi57dnm2PKGIeainvxGTYF74VRmMC7cuGvy-iOBJJ8npybJnMQJWfaYNUF77vuoCPq7ByzbIhrZYgvDwSf68_T4en-8KeKe55C7sfUd0X-1chjrIeBswv43vttjVyp8YXdf-yovHxeFGEE5SqOb_B0Di0J2DyqdXANc-2SoLhH4-M/s320/IMG_1999.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I finished one of the January blocks, and blocked it. It is not quite square, and it is a bit smaller than the pattern calls for, but I am pretty happy with it. I started with the easy block, from a pattern perspective, just to get the hang of working stranded knitting on the purl side. I’ve cast on the second January block.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMngk8tYWLpNK-9XAWcdfMa6IYgBwvaVzIdjiv749LweMDkT3y0WTNhz-TU72VjFeM-k6BQ8tPLgF9ZcMK7HZjbH73q7wBOPEtpeiAkaqWqvT_3bJG68d4QIlhmIS8k9VX71e74LiyiDspuoXm_ebRwcqOXTgwPxieqHVy95xgo2U5LGfp2y2HxHmgx6E/s3264/IMG_2006.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMngk8tYWLpNK-9XAWcdfMa6IYgBwvaVzIdjiv749LweMDkT3y0WTNhz-TU72VjFeM-k6BQ8tPLgF9ZcMK7HZjbH73q7wBOPEtpeiAkaqWqvT_3bJG68d4QIlhmIS8k9VX71e74LiyiDspuoXm_ebRwcqOXTgwPxieqHVy95xgo2U5LGfp2y2HxHmgx6E/s320/IMG_2006.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>This one has much bigger blocks of color, and in those areas I am holding the color that I am not knitting with in my left hand so I can catch the floats easier as I knit. When I’m working Fair Isle in the round I will put the yarn that I need to catch floats on in my left hand, so depending on what is going on that round I may have to switch my yarns. I’m still not comfortable purling continental, so in those areas where I’m working with both colors I hold both yarns in my right hand. It makes for some yarn adjusting as I work the pattern, which just takes a little time and interrupts the flow.<div><br /></div><div>January colors: A Night Without Stars and November Sky<br /><div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Fleece and Harmony Mystery Blanket 2024</div><div>Yarn: Fleece and Harmony Selkirk Worsted</div><div>Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)<br /><div><br /></div></div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-39748818034684697472024-02-25T09:00:00.002-05:002024-02-25T09:00:59.947-05:00Nightmare Before Christmas Speckles Shawl - Cast On!<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOqzN6eevesTvfunHIJnGRET6ikMyBIilWs5VgTQZhzVxGrpq49JVsHsmWbC_G2gbMpcm1pFve2QL-Gs7DFrYDHx4zuLxxxw1JJKBSZ6JKzsgBbLaRoecYpDACUVgnrRgLbos5sU_ePbch09sjA3IEh5R0duzmP4EZTNga6CFiFF8URJrXarnzpeOwQc/s3264/IMG_1993.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOqzN6eevesTvfunHIJnGRET6ikMyBIilWs5VgTQZhzVxGrpq49JVsHsmWbC_G2gbMpcm1pFve2QL-Gs7DFrYDHx4zuLxxxw1JJKBSZ6JKzsgBbLaRoecYpDACUVgnrRgLbos5sU_ePbch09sjA3IEh5R0duzmP4EZTNga6CFiFF8URJrXarnzpeOwQc/s320/IMG_1993.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Of course, finishing up the body of the Electric Oogie Boogie Shawl meant that I had to cast on another mindless project for my work bag, so I grabbed another six skein set from the Nightmare Before Christmas Advent Calendar and cast on a garter stitch boomerang shawl. This set is simply called “Speckles”, and the only thing to do with this yarn is a garter stitch boomerang shawl. I may go a bit wild with the edging though and pick a nice pop color, as the skeins aren’t all monochromatic gray/black. I do like the way the speckles are knitting up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKGeM3YJ81FlqDkO9qgLVJXfrnhY52AyvtaK5WokcLHNZQTIVMbWPf8S3XBeSNlhJehDg9QNFYbAxBv3rg1hM62q8bpSaUMSmCcj1niuWwseV7IJXoNbi1wIt5XpB5XO3rpbvOhgfTc0qZs0hpcrC1QrqZo44hsEDLLDczJessZsQEh0ETOG5Jk2gnXU/s3264/IMG_1990.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKGeM3YJ81FlqDkO9qgLVJXfrnhY52AyvtaK5WokcLHNZQTIVMbWPf8S3XBeSNlhJehDg9QNFYbAxBv3rg1hM62q8bpSaUMSmCcj1niuWwseV7IJXoNbi1wIt5XpB5XO3rpbvOhgfTc0qZs0hpcrC1QrqZo44hsEDLLDczJessZsQEh0ETOG5Jk2gnXU/s320/IMG_1990.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Pattern: Improvised Garter Stitch Boomerang Shawl</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering</div><div style="text-align: left;">Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)<br /> </div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-15960547415173277152024-02-25T08:56:00.004-05:002024-02-25T08:56:35.780-05:00Electric Oogie Boogie Shawl - Body Done!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9GhQdJuXv-b8LiOLdvBhK5ummb66cGDpo0_CSjWCMNcAs-3FFqxYlEtN1QTHBmDuS0pe4C_agufbeRcruerfm0lBSB0UCXLPV-MRlhsxW4ce5NPYLsv2gP6GI8aun_lPAarZ4Oe4ePXrjHbWL4Mrfd0wOfgjSmvTZTt-AUxtvt96A2eGcEd7zY7p7-I/s3264/IMG_1996.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9GhQdJuXv-b8LiOLdvBhK5ummb66cGDpo0_CSjWCMNcAs-3FFqxYlEtN1QTHBmDuS0pe4C_agufbeRcruerfm0lBSB0UCXLPV-MRlhsxW4ce5NPYLsv2gP6GI8aun_lPAarZ4Oe4ePXrjHbWL4Mrfd0wOfgjSmvTZTt-AUxtvt96A2eGcEd7zY7p7-I/s320/IMG_1996.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Even with being in the office every day, I’m still managing to get lots of mindless knitting done. I finished up the body of this shawl last week. I still have a little bit of the last skein to knit, but I doubt I have enough for a full row, and I need to decide on the edging color before proceeding. I currently have a skein that continues the purples set aside, but I’m pondering a change, maybe gold or yellow, with dark purple beads. If I stick with the purples I’ll use more of the bright blue beads that I used on the Wyvern Shawl.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg580X9-epywXJSkVOurJ-2awemNQHcaVssba3ePOmux4A2Tt39p1N_EO_dUEmN-8h7_gst9XYzCsl_Sw4ZrWWVkyA_jADR4Xj7YB4E_VPXahhKaR5t7E1_VJswhKatqWBpGZtrUTGdg3xsEAxQNoI13GlRqgYOS_Y7_1gkMLeCkSSiskFriR2kPGRZk_s/s3264/IMG_1932.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg580X9-epywXJSkVOurJ-2awemNQHcaVssba3ePOmux4A2Tt39p1N_EO_dUEmN-8h7_gst9XYzCsl_Sw4ZrWWVkyA_jADR4Xj7YB4E_VPXahhKaR5t7E1_VJswhKatqWBpGZtrUTGdg3xsEAxQNoI13GlRqgYOS_Y7_1gkMLeCkSSiskFriR2kPGRZk_s/s320/IMG_1932.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Pattern: Over the Moon by Vicki Mikulak<div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering</div><div>Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)<br /><div><br /></div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-70491682907024266402024-02-25T08:51:00.003-05:002024-02-25T08:51:35.333-05:00Fleece and Harmony Mystery Blanket 2024 - Swatch Done, and First Block Cast On<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD2FnrtN8CA2Jlo_QFg6Rxh8BzIHalG5ZYvkFN4DTF8b601TVC3mm5PUsWXbC4d4tCgr9DLcZi4EaWUw0EBvQZf-XlXlfUPYh-A7yzEi-i7RUIQQBGjEUa0sa-yeAW4wf9wr4MpUUPQNWTiOCfdIDvSVgx02VjU0qbeHdKwaUpcRuae3dLAth_ebijXo/s3264/IMG_1989.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD2FnrtN8CA2Jlo_QFg6Rxh8BzIHalG5ZYvkFN4DTF8b601TVC3mm5PUsWXbC4d4tCgr9DLcZi4EaWUw0EBvQZf-XlXlfUPYh-A7yzEi-i7RUIQQBGjEUa0sa-yeAW4wf9wr4MpUUPQNWTiOCfdIDvSVgx02VjU0qbeHdKwaUpcRuae3dLAth_ebijXo/s320/IMG_1989.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I turned my first attempt at the first block into my swatch, increasing needle size for each set of chevrons. I started with 2.75 mm, and the other needle sizes are: 3.0 mm, 3.25 mm, and 3.5 mm. After completing the chart and binding off, I cut my steak (no reinforcement) and blocked my swatch. I do love the feel of this yarn, and my cut edges are very stable. I still haven’t reinforced them. After playing with the swatch and fondling it I have decided to go with the 3.5 mm needle. I have also decided to work the blocks flat as I think the steek is just going to add too much bulk to the seams, but I am adding an extra stitch at the beginning and the end of the row as a selvedge stitch, to keep the edges neat and tidy, and so I don’t lose any of the pattern when I seam the blocks together. I also decided to use straight needles instead of circulars. I think the fact that I have a consistent needle size (instead of the cable) to hold the stitches will help keep my floats and stitch tension uniform.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkI-EOn4fQuCQlpBqkXNVcLmlJTPp4Nw2jp6GIMkV0ELk7_B5qr2RohmmYvJncdkkfFeRfh0RQYBSb6jLyy-4NFfgqD8HHH9PbSSYN_e_BP8zMYyEeLQ9gdjXYuePDag8RCOdibx7D2G6amfLzFumwzmPFYsTQV62swknGRrq7bob4gs8lJqQmvmgd8Ds/s3264/IMG_1994.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkI-EOn4fQuCQlpBqkXNVcLmlJTPp4Nw2jp6GIMkV0ELk7_B5qr2RohmmYvJncdkkfFeRfh0RQYBSb6jLyy-4NFfgqD8HHH9PbSSYN_e_BP8zMYyEeLQ9gdjXYuePDag8RCOdibx7D2G6amfLzFumwzmPFYsTQV62swknGRrq7bob4gs8lJqQmvmgd8Ds/s320/IMG_1994.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Knitting back and forth means that I can’t do two handed yarn control. I can knit just fine continental style, but purling is still very awkward for me. Fortunately, before I learned the two handed Fair Isle I worked out a technique that holds both yarns in my right hand and allows me to throw the color that I need, and do so in a uniform fashion, and I can purl without any trouble or discomfort. My box of yarn came last week, although I will have to buy more of these two colors for the July blocks, given my swatch, as that yarn is not reclaimable.<div><br /></div><div>January Block Colors: A Night Without Stars, November Sky</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Fleece and Harmony Mystery Blanket 2024</div><div>Yarn: Fleece and Harmony Selkirk Worsted</div><div>Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)<br /><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div></div></div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-55833135929210485182024-02-17T09:21:00.001-05:002024-02-17T09:21:50.580-05:00Sweet as Honey Cowl - Cast On!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb7K4A_gFyuNq7REPZucCFoEsX5EtE-ebBcDkBM7V9kRNXGxLl7qNW48byTT7uBTKs_McqirvARQD2mc6OAaO460yf5tT9a3W4mqWoULQg6AmOhguQeWblTUthBC7uggA1inTZZ9wnMAei8OjTAVDxgQ4Z4RykXoQ561Ilp3xdhthxTjGGX7nvmH8nwU/s3264/IMG_1985.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb7K4A_gFyuNq7REPZucCFoEsX5EtE-ebBcDkBM7V9kRNXGxLl7qNW48byTT7uBTKs_McqirvARQD2mc6OAaO460yf5tT9a3W4mqWoULQg6AmOhguQeWblTUthBC7uggA1inTZZ9wnMAei8OjTAVDxgQ4Z4RykXoQ561Ilp3xdhthxTjGGX7nvmH8nwU/s320/IMG_1985.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>While I was pondering my path forward on the Mystery Blanket, I decided to cast on one of the other projects that I had purchased yarn for. This is the Sweet as Honey Cowl by Simone Van Iderstine. It is also knit in the Selkirk Worsted, with the same gauge as the blanket, but on a 3.25 mm needle. Hmm, said I, I’ve been wanting to knit this, so I decided to cast this on as part of my figuring out how this yarn knits up experimenting. This is also coming out on the dense side, although not quite as dense as the blanket. At this point I’m wondering if it would even fit over my head as a cowl, maybe it could be a hat. But Kim of Fleece and Harmony has said that their yarn expands width wise and shrinks length wise when blocked, so I don’t know. We will just see what happens. That is, after all, what experiments are for. I am enjoying the knit, and that is really what matters.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Sweet as Honey Cowl by Simone Van Iderstine</div><div>Yarn: Fleece and Harmony Selkirk Worsted</div><div>Needle: US 3 (3.25 mm)</div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-37846941364108340042024-02-17T09:11:00.000-05:002024-02-17T09:11:12.444-05:00Fleece and Harmony - 2024 Mystery Blanket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCxd9UMG7avpa0GF4wi4iuL85UvHJfwHKBU2HEKrPds8uY4yzDLWeYKe2uvg3zIHrE2-VHS8BBdp3Va64qQipk9WGWqkwbG4_XTxayac5vUMFLHm8fQipcz8RuV11Tww0Fy6qSWkBOyfTTupexA6NuBqCoK22Y2Hb6eb9-l0VAWCOiiFk851CdA_EHLk/s3264/IMG_1986.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCxd9UMG7avpa0GF4wi4iuL85UvHJfwHKBU2HEKrPds8uY4yzDLWeYKe2uvg3zIHrE2-VHS8BBdp3Va64qQipk9WGWqkwbG4_XTxayac5vUMFLHm8fQipcz8RuV11Tww0Fy6qSWkBOyfTTupexA6NuBqCoK22Y2Hb6eb9-l0VAWCOiiFk851CdA_EHLk/s320/IMG_1986.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Fleece and Harmony is hosting a mystery blanket knit along this year. I picked up their video pod cast from Fruity Knitting, and I really enjoy it, along with their Harmony Reads video podcast. I binge watched all of their older episodes and am caught up at this point. I’ve ordered yarn from them for several projects, but had not actually worked with any until I cast on for this project. The squares are supposed to be worked flat, but I am not fond of working Fair Isle flat so I decided to work in the round with steeks, figuring that I will back the finished blanket to make it even more durable. I cast on with the needles recommended in the pattern (2.75 mm), and no, I did not work a gauge swatch. I’m letting this be my gauge swatch. I have no problem ripping back and/or knitting over again. I love the feel of the yarn, but the fabric with this needle size is super dense. So, after working nineteen rows I set it aside to think. I grabbed needles the next two sizes up (3.0 mm and 3.25 mm), and will probably continue this as my gauge swatch, putting a locking stitch marker on the round I change needles on. There are four sections of chevrons, so I can use a different needle size on each chevron section and just see how it goes. Then I can cut the steek and block it and see if my plan to work in the round will work for the project. I have already bought the yarn for the rest of the blanket, all of it, although I will have to get more of these two colors (A Night Without Stars and November Sky). This is one of the January blocks. The February blocks are already out.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Fleece and Harmony Mystery Blanket 2024</div><div>Yarn: Fleece and Harmony Selkirk Worsted</div><div>Needle: Size to be determined</div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-5391034027161409482024-02-17T08:55:00.000-05:002024-02-17T08:55:21.281-05:00Electric Oogie Boogie Shawl - Cast On!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduJifYmQFZ4Vjhwoku4BbbvxHPilXjFytdtgn2Oh0hZYduTzvD0GNhc-Z_T98UH618K8lVruWQ0OClo-iMRJH3WAWLZuLU-67K8mVAm8Zv6AJbhEwnz78EOoW38WP7RL5vwqHy8k9sgbtf_JugwbQWAEEnTLTw9oyUHP-gDO07Vtz8K0h223T5a_UGDo/s3264/IMG_1987.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduJifYmQFZ4Vjhwoku4BbbvxHPilXjFytdtgn2Oh0hZYduTzvD0GNhc-Z_T98UH618K8lVruWQ0OClo-iMRJH3WAWLZuLU-67K8mVAm8Zv6AJbhEwnz78EOoW38WP7RL5vwqHy8k9sgbtf_JugwbQWAEEnTLTw9oyUHP-gDO07Vtz8K0h223T5a_UGDo/s320/IMG_1987.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Last weekend, having completed the body of my Joy to the World - Dragons shawl I needed another easy knit to throw in my work bag. I’m back in the office full time again due to some technical/security issues with the VPN we use. I don’t really mind that much. I had never teleworked until COVID because I liked the clean break between work and home, and I’m enjoying that again. It isn’t quite as clean as it used to be because I have a work phone that I can check email and MS Teams on, but I don’t bring the computer home anymore. Anyway, I grabbed another six-skein set of minis that I had set aside for another Over the Moon variant shawl. At this point I am working on skein 4 and don’t have to refer to the pattern anymore as there are no more stitch doubling rows.<div><br /></div><div>This set is part of an Advent set that was inspired by A Nightmare Before Christmas. This is the best set of that lot, the others are going to be more challenging to work with. It was a bold choice for an Advent set, and bold choices don’t always work out so well. I have a full sized skein picked out already, but I’m not sure if I will stick with that choice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgmn-K52q9ccp1LmvturkTXPxm5FdsZaTNE_Nh6xyZy3wzzNrcmFdduH6BTppgkMYImHmVtcctl3IqiuTSJPwebqdzAy4wpgwZiNybatk8BCH1X3rCuh9D4sN9pWeUoFtzfTsAeCZdJB7t9sEh8C2DSlzW0I6l_JzF4CR8JJJ2x9ysxKIaWGAhHXQ5uI/s3264/IMG_1932.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgmn-K52q9ccp1LmvturkTXPxm5FdsZaTNE_Nh6xyZy3wzzNrcmFdduH6BTppgkMYImHmVtcctl3IqiuTSJPwebqdzAy4wpgwZiNybatk8BCH1X3rCuh9D4sN9pWeUoFtzfTsAeCZdJB7t9sEh8C2DSlzW0I6l_JzF4CR8JJJ2x9ysxKIaWGAhHXQ5uI/s320/IMG_1932.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I may go for a blue skein, if I can find a good match. Or I may stay with the purple, after all, purple is my favorite color these days.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Over the Moon by Vicki Mikulak</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering</div><div>Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)<br /><div><br /></div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-56455811667136479132024-02-17T08:26:00.000-05:002024-02-17T08:26:26.368-05:00Joy to the World - Dragons - Body Done!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz1_vA91gJCPhGaCmchgr5zT9WGqVJdbqWiQW_J74VfgL_XUUozzBGvwfgaFMfHlPPjjmjtpogb-BmoAyIhwexcskVgVKBeztQQwQXfEAkngT6dSfeYJ1wmnDRit7fNUxhynzeMqlS6lJv_1zSZ9qWtWkb1l0F9An7QXJBeXbOUxaLOvcLW4o9i0MfWQ/s3264/IMG_1978.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz1_vA91gJCPhGaCmchgr5zT9WGqVJdbqWiQW_J74VfgL_XUUozzBGvwfgaFMfHlPPjjmjtpogb-BmoAyIhwexcskVgVKBeztQQwQXfEAkngT6dSfeYJ1wmnDRit7fNUxhynzeMqlS6lJv_1zSZ9qWtWkb1l0F9An7QXJBeXbOUxaLOvcLW4o9i0MfWQ/s320/IMG_1978.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">After finishing up the first triangle, I quickly knit up the second, and cast on the third. I had created a spreadsheet to track my yarn usage, so after the completing the second triangle this became a project that I only worked on at home, but it made for some great reading time.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXGYq017w5y_09Y2VCtJAa6fL7tqNp0hbWuSM_633F2dbABZXyCNhtl7Df4K_dbQ30va_VIjB0mbJ3bZbh2rhqZsGEJx2oh7RF_g4O8mqtUil69o1WQnSzCdBzkXi4XKW7CKWOn9gpjIfP-sqGiNzVtm80rFD9fpi8RnVFoO_Fh8RHbVpA867KAinDRY/s3264/IMG_1979.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXGYq017w5y_09Y2VCtJAa6fL7tqNp0hbWuSM_633F2dbABZXyCNhtl7Df4K_dbQ30va_VIjB0mbJ3bZbh2rhqZsGEJx2oh7RF_g4O8mqtUil69o1WQnSzCdBzkXi4XKW7CKWOn9gpjIfP-sqGiNzVtm80rFD9fpi8RnVFoO_Fh8RHbVpA867KAinDRY/s320/IMG_1979.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I did not take a picture of the finished third triangle on its own, as I was just so focused on getting the three triangles done and assembled. While I was working the third triangle, I used my yarn usage spreadsheet to determine if I would have enough yarn on each mini-skein to finish both a right and wrong side row. I thought about just joining all the mini-skeins together and knitting them till they ran out, but thought that might look a bit odd. If this were a gradiance set I probably would have done that (and I have two other sets that are gradiance sets that I probably will do that with when I knit those up into this shawl pattern - unless I find some other patterns for those sets).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKQF-NUr2IopNjBVXU5xCJemNPlrX1U1lzRAckTe-W28G8P4OKFvlfhhfpeW9O6tIVt0KKYmYh2F7iI7jZJkhywr_MAG5ozD5daaEapFHTgg_PssJCBp9y1C_yuPXiSPnWe05WcYjgUJXf0EUBlRHzQIOmwozOoSrzEBQ5ogZsugEXrM9p6xGJScgg6I/s3264/IMG_1982.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKQF-NUr2IopNjBVXU5xCJemNPlrX1U1lzRAckTe-W28G8P4OKFvlfhhfpeW9O6tIVt0KKYmYh2F7iI7jZJkhywr_MAG5ozD5daaEapFHTgg_PssJCBp9y1C_yuPXiSPnWe05WcYjgUJXf0EUBlRHzQIOmwozOoSrzEBQ5ogZsugEXrM9p6xGJScgg6I/s320/IMG_1982.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>This is actually the wrong side of the shawl, but I thought it looked pretty, and Jezebel did such a great job of photo bombing. She was very good about getting up and letting me flip it over so I could get a photo of the right side.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxWywr74GsCsu-3jgfWOAWEQMZzzBLKVIkMB3SGMXCweBqGajoW-aMESKBPTfmGr3WPNfKtTHXe11OCyOvaA4gzCyBAwsRvxqdqV27vtjJGBzngZiTSAMwF_GdglwHUUy-5252PdqGAYz9RFmZxRJR0pZdG8XZeynWdlaURZtURL7ULkVT1SZJvrdf64/s3264/IMG_1983.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxWywr74GsCsu-3jgfWOAWEQMZzzBLKVIkMB3SGMXCweBqGajoW-aMESKBPTfmGr3WPNfKtTHXe11OCyOvaA4gzCyBAwsRvxqdqV27vtjJGBzngZiTSAMwF_GdglwHUUy-5252PdqGAYz9RFmZxRJR0pZdG8XZeynWdlaURZtURL7ULkVT1SZJvrdf64/s320/IMG_1983.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I did a three needle bind off to join the triangles. Now I just need to pick up stitches along that bottom edge and work the knit on edging, which will also take care of the live stitches still left on the other two triangles.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Joy to the World by Louise Robert</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering</div><div>Needle: US 3 (3.25 mm)<br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p></div></div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-2550789985501479932024-02-04T08:40:00.000-05:002024-02-04T08:40:17.981-05:00Joy to the World - Dragons - One Triangle Done!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpSw41HyYpqpVyCtbOnGAb1phkWL2Gp-txtnHRwl2gAMCbWueWoYP9-4AqC-9CwIePlYxJ9fSmDInyqD0TwS321FvS3ZfN-kaA8YqSSq6kq7xvqgrKQjO7y6LF0Yzx7S6L_dSzhiyUwUMz_xxLvy-pWMs8OeMFMqirj0MHVCXA22kss3mbwR31VYDmvc/s3264/IMG_1977.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpSw41HyYpqpVyCtbOnGAb1phkWL2Gp-txtnHRwl2gAMCbWueWoYP9-4AqC-9CwIePlYxJ9fSmDInyqD0TwS321FvS3ZfN-kaA8YqSSq6kq7xvqgrKQjO7y6LF0Yzx7S6L_dSzhiyUwUMz_xxLvy-pWMs8OeMFMqirj0MHVCXA22kss3mbwR31VYDmvc/s320/IMG_1977.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I have been dutifully weighing my mini skeins and recording everything in a spreadsheet so I can track my yarn usage, and happily everything is working out just fine. This is a wonderfully mindless project that I can knit while reading, or watching TV that I have to pay attention to. The colors were always a challenge, but we shall see how it all comes together. It feels good to be knitting up stash, and especially Advent kits. I love them, but it can be a challenge to find good uses for them. Most of the patterns don’t use up all the yarn and I just hate having left overs. This triangle used 99.5 grams total. The entire shawl will use about 350 grams.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Joy to the World by Louise Robert</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering and Kiri</div><div>Needle: US 3 (3.25 mm)</div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-48599395604769596162024-02-04T08:33:00.000-05:002024-02-04T08:33:14.230-05:00Smaug Shawl - Ten Repeats of Border Done<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhhoAU9_VNWi4kH8Qz94BLKm2eLwyJzpzBS8d7jn0kHrC_HRIYnjzlMrlvZT3taFsshcHpB90vgMsjTkl05GEjvtzkkWMDJCFBg1nPD-px7YBkHfRzUBWlsg40-8_dsjIpCkRZq8oQl_2yEt4Q-n2_o2EPTIiP6hhKp3hEnX0i5-IgrZA8-CUk76RGZU/s3264/IMG_1976.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhhoAU9_VNWi4kH8Qz94BLKm2eLwyJzpzBS8d7jn0kHrC_HRIYnjzlMrlvZT3taFsshcHpB90vgMsjTkl05GEjvtzkkWMDJCFBg1nPD-px7YBkHfRzUBWlsg40-8_dsjIpCkRZq8oQl_2yEt4Q-n2_o2EPTIiP6hhKp3hEnX0i5-IgrZA8-CUk76RGZU/s320/IMG_1976.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I changed the yarn that I am using for the border. I had finished four repeats of the border pattern and I did not think that the skein that I was using quite went with the shawl so I went back to stash and found all the yellows that I had and came up with another one, also by Sundara Yarn. The new color is called “You are my Sunshine”.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVhTPr8rJuSEU86YbTUXvNCZy8PFJR66tB5R-O8K0P6SGejyL7U-xXGAvg1YLytY4neJOw7zGgR41VsFcB4Ezn2kd2eg1kTmmjVrAlKA0u2t5rDLU7GHI6QUl-Nf4FzjFHjwTizqS0zpv_SomwFQvlIja7_0sotJNcmDOKjFhgUFHIwyBrGGnGquAJaI/s3264/IMG_1975.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVhTPr8rJuSEU86YbTUXvNCZy8PFJR66tB5R-O8K0P6SGejyL7U-xXGAvg1YLytY4neJOw7zGgR41VsFcB4Ezn2kd2eg1kTmmjVrAlKA0u2t5rDLU7GHI6QUl-Nf4FzjFHjwTizqS0zpv_SomwFQvlIja7_0sotJNcmDOKjFhgUFHIwyBrGGnGquAJaI/s320/IMG_1975.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The original color is on the right, the new color is on the left. They are actually very similar colors, but the new one is just warmer. The new yarn also has 25% silk, which gives it a bit of a shine that matches the shawl yarn better. The strand is also just a little finer, which also matches the shawl yarn better. I am much happier with the result.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Over the Moon by Vicki Mikulak</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering and Sundara Yarns Extra Fine Fingering Silky Merino</div><div>Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-53979800562944226112024-01-28T09:30:00.001-05:002024-01-28T09:30:20.941-05:00Smaug Shawl - Border Started!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpTd49psSPR2eHqH4mZouzUlqn3LlaFmqjfRm0e5BmJ36frjLSSzDRg5e3R2y5c71qvlOkROvLnJkjMD2csWWccVF8yf6DJXGGyArehjJqzU2d8aBDjok_XEHhQR3N3BSOLL8uxjdoRnuqU-UMTuQ9kWwOMBN8LtWQw8IFZfPdBWtVNdwpOOx8RAnJt4/s3264/IMG_1973.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpTd49psSPR2eHqH4mZouzUlqn3LlaFmqjfRm0e5BmJ36frjLSSzDRg5e3R2y5c71qvlOkROvLnJkjMD2csWWccVF8yf6DJXGGyArehjJqzU2d8aBDjok_XEHhQR3N3BSOLL8uxjdoRnuqU-UMTuQ9kWwOMBN8LtWQw8IFZfPdBWtVNdwpOOx8RAnJt4/s320/IMG_1973.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I am very happy with how the border is looking, although the colors are not quite right in the picture. Reds are hard to capture, it seems. I am using red beads on the border and I also changed where I placed them. For the Wyvern Shawl I placed them at the tops of the centered double decreases, but for this shawl I am placing them between the ssk and k2tog that lead up to the centered double decreases and I really like how that looks. Just 29 more repeats to go.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Over the Moon by Vicki Mikulak</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering and Sundara Yarn Extra Fine Fingering Merino</div><div>Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)</div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-35665540529504887922024-01-28T09:24:00.000-05:002024-01-28T09:24:45.865-05:00Joy to the World - Dragons - Cast On!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGq62CP3COL-PmRZziliQfqJVb4Tn2IMMVI7HpnqU4wueY6i0EkZn351dimVxL_g5sDoLSI_vCt9z6_PT-lYnh6h58COf0NxeT93kdp7hghLroIYyoGy48VQ8y0ew_6QEerVoDIzQcnznEGr2xE1TeZF8DQhCLLbGDFbmVfl5U8xyXxjlp4GmeS5EeWw/s3264/IMG_1968.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGq62CP3COL-PmRZziliQfqJVb4Tn2IMMVI7HpnqU4wueY6i0EkZn351dimVxL_g5sDoLSI_vCt9z6_PT-lYnh6h58COf0NxeT93kdp7hghLroIYyoGy48VQ8y0ew_6QEerVoDIzQcnznEGr2xE1TeZF8DQhCLLbGDFbmVfl5U8xyXxjlp4GmeS5EeWw/s320/IMG_1968.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>As I was getting close to starting the edging on my Smaug Shawl I grabbed the rest of this 2018 Advent set, a 12 skein set called Dragon. The skeins go from 1 to 12 from left to right, with 1 to 6 on the bottom row and 7 to 12 on the top row. Given the variety of color I had already decided to make another Joy to the World shawl. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RKf-thRAAJdPPQ-kI7d0fFKz7Lh8vf4CUuVrBUsQgw-0r3xisNXFpdBThsYh5M6g3XeG8toGs6vkhiQQgtQfomAXzU_Qr2xKvNqwPlJQUIvmp_hH-wgaJe6GzHPjs6HSi8TuJJrMel7tvjwgGb5fNPxZcvNRA95iTE4G860WOImZ9HbVkZ_T1fA6nzs/s3264/IMG_1123.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RKf-thRAAJdPPQ-kI7d0fFKz7Lh8vf4CUuVrBUsQgw-0r3xisNXFpdBThsYh5M6g3XeG8toGs6vkhiQQgtQfomAXzU_Qr2xKvNqwPlJQUIvmp_hH-wgaJe6GzHPjs6HSi8TuJJrMel7tvjwgGb5fNPxZcvNRA95iTE4G860WOImZ9HbVkZ_T1fA6nzs/s320/IMG_1123.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the one that I made back in 2021. It was an Advent set from Biscotte & Cie. I had made a mistake when I was knitting it, knitting 10 rows of each of the mini skeins, but I liked how it had come out and decided to do it again with this set. I have worn this shawl several times and it really is a joy to wear. It sits nicely on the shoulders and is a nice size. So, I went in search of a color to use as the center of the main triangles and border. Given the variety of colors in my mini skeins I knew I wanted something on the neutral side, fortunately I had some neutral skeins of Unique Sheep Kiri in my stash. The full sized skein is the darkest of a neutral trio that I picked up at some point. The other thing that I had to figure out was the number of rows to work with my mini skeins. My original Joy to the World had 10 mini skeins of 25 grams each, but for this one I have 12 mini skeins of 20 grams each. Based on my yarn usage I knew that I could not get 10 rows out of each mini skein and still work the design as I wanted, so I decided that I will work 8 rows. This will give my 96 rows total for the mini skein section, instead of 100 rows, so I will work 4 extra rows of the starting triangle. Based on my yarn usage numbers it should all work out.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2SqBIjSgXlisnc4V3KR3nzPMGIeuSYVOKIo60l5vzImaMcBsD5vLVO91yvt5Kyq7RJjl_EUy7F-CKBJABYrLnzw70foJfFERo_KBn26a7578R7kKzsIACp6-ClLl_S1MV7_KRUGIpyR12tjFihU9UIL_yP3sJRNkghXs-qpaS0xn3pppWhpfJyFJ5oA/s3264/IMG_1972.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2SqBIjSgXlisnc4V3KR3nzPMGIeuSYVOKIo60l5vzImaMcBsD5vLVO91yvt5Kyq7RJjl_EUy7F-CKBJABYrLnzw70foJfFERo_KBn26a7578R7kKzsIACp6-ClLl_S1MV7_KRUGIpyR12tjFihU9UIL_yP3sJRNkghXs-qpaS0xn3pppWhpfJyFJ5oA/s320/IMG_1972.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>And here is the start of my first triangle.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Joy to the World by Louise Robert, modified</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering and Kiri</div><div>Needle: US 3 (3.25 mm)<br /><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-39636356752081327862024-01-27T09:01:00.003-05:002024-01-27T09:01:55.523-05:00Smaug Shawl - Four Skeins Done<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVvyvqZKHyb9KsXxm9Ki-JGUwbjEqd0YqpdncziDQkGo2Tzk3GcC2H5KS2_HkvZXElkZSjXTam0nwG1DwQKvltHAbcJwfTpk4fiJyZ42u7-ux8wrJvdSi7j34IkK6kTH48kGxS7th4P1EeHph22bBDljGx_e9C7i_vLF5wbbWX1d-wd5U08PMn_UOCtk/s3264/IMG_1965.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVvyvqZKHyb9KsXxm9Ki-JGUwbjEqd0YqpdncziDQkGo2Tzk3GcC2H5KS2_HkvZXElkZSjXTam0nwG1DwQKvltHAbcJwfTpk4fiJyZ42u7-ux8wrJvdSi7j34IkK6kTH48kGxS7th4P1EeHph22bBDljGx_e9C7i_vLF5wbbWX1d-wd5U08PMn_UOCtk/s320/IMG_1965.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I am now working on the sixth and last skein of the shawl body and will be setting up for the edging soon. And then I will be casting on another shawl with the rest of this Advent set. I do love the colors of this set. The edging color contrasts with the final skeins. After finishing the Wyvern Shawl I quite like the effect. The yarn for the lace edging is another skein of Sundara Yarn Extra Fine Fingering Merino that was part of the temperature blanket/shawl kit that I never knit. I will use red silver lined beads for this shawl. I think the result will be quite dramatic.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQka0cvrgZzndtgC5ziIbDuJhoSAQWyJL4xFCZPUoZWXdvrbXgjmIqeD79lRP0kjUfJ2brj10EMRP0vEeN_Iw0T42Cyr444WU-oi3xC0AKs6FJ_iMVBEOJfdHoHANMSi949aewxnhp1U9-3fKln3ov_SsGDdG-xxsKbHCPsgxwxQhaWScQFvS2iwgJEg/s3264/IMG_1933.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQka0cvrgZzndtgC5ziIbDuJhoSAQWyJL4xFCZPUoZWXdvrbXgjmIqeD79lRP0kjUfJ2brj10EMRP0vEeN_Iw0T42Cyr444WU-oi3xC0AKs6FJ_iMVBEOJfdHoHANMSi949aewxnhp1U9-3fKln3ov_SsGDdG-xxsKbHCPsgxwxQhaWScQFvS2iwgJEg/s320/IMG_1933.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Over the Moon by Vicki Mikulak</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering</div><div>Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)</div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-45830538946646951992024-01-27T08:54:00.000-05:002024-01-27T08:54:11.524-05:00Ramea - Front Halfway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjippeAbD8HdZNifXulK2Mxbde75TGjbKl39SjR8s4tmVtw62Ru22Gz70-yntyo-qg7H8odSARc1gIrG4ApssacyyCj6HR8XuWn6PhGE-gL_1_gHdfJYgK50B-DepQfdJtf_bWgcFCMSnEfciVc9dIjYMLbOan1kLe8Qyk1psNedbQNk8Y7zxjyY7054LA/s3264/IMG_1964.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjippeAbD8HdZNifXulK2Mxbde75TGjbKl39SjR8s4tmVtw62Ru22Gz70-yntyo-qg7H8odSARc1gIrG4ApssacyyCj6HR8XuWn6PhGE-gL_1_gHdfJYgK50B-DepQfdJtf_bWgcFCMSnEfciVc9dIjYMLbOan1kLe8Qyk1psNedbQNk8Y7zxjyY7054LA/s320/IMG_1964.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>There are two supplemental lace charts provided for the front and I finished the first chart. I am excited to be making progress on this top. The construction is so very interesting. Once I get across the front I will work the left sleeve, joining it to the front with short rows exactly as I had joined the front to the right sleeve. I will then work the rest of the sleeve and graft it together, before working the colorwork band on the left side and the back. The back will be joined to the sleeves with short rows and the right side will be grafted. The back is straight stockinette stitch, which should go quicker. I will block it as I finish each stage to make the grafting easier. I did not block the right sleeve before grafting and I think it would have been easier had I done that.<div><br /></div><div>Pattern: Ramea by Jennifer Beale</div><div>Yarn: Karabella Yarns Aurora 4</div><div>Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm), US 1.5 (2.5 mm), US 2.5 (3.0 mm)</div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-28738562732553879562024-01-27T08:43:00.000-05:002024-01-27T08:43:13.840-05:00Wyvern Shawl - Finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf0DfHaB9Wu3cF1tKMSo7oxL8R2bECuWeK6_GjZ47KhMvtM7rcRGQE48U9FZ4OpWsfRqXym1JfzEDdZu0h1g4S4mDXwXu1l36EmWiRKLRxICQDDabWHOltXsOBtpDDnYzp-d2yH3h4xUTdaJ6w-N8qlB8vszOyrUyiaOw_X1_hOkOfVJj6dSaAG-5M6E/s3264/IMG_1966.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf0DfHaB9Wu3cF1tKMSo7oxL8R2bECuWeK6_GjZ47KhMvtM7rcRGQE48U9FZ4OpWsfRqXym1JfzEDdZu0h1g4S4mDXwXu1l36EmWiRKLRxICQDDabWHOltXsOBtpDDnYzp-d2yH3h4xUTdaJ6w-N8qlB8vszOyrUyiaOw_X1_hOkOfVJj6dSaAG-5M6E/s320/IMG_1966.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I finished this up last Sunday afternoon. It is hard to get a photo that does the colors justice. In the natural light the colors and the beads glow, but that is hard to capture.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi600xzD8Q28nRWJIXLRyTgWGPxZ5_TMvvC2I6QyqR2dIrI5mqcH7q3G6K9ktbBvwKQW6sVvUqN0U06WOzvbdDMGCvIvC6XwC3ORX3zsHsqK7nsEMPDpf5-VjpNYy33TkCf2h9dSdqeS7T3UnxFTiglPWZNPSkd6QGu6_1-qjMJzWwIYz1xJCXpLIUYgXI/s3264/IMG_1963.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi600xzD8Q28nRWJIXLRyTgWGPxZ5_TMvvC2I6QyqR2dIrI5mqcH7q3G6K9ktbBvwKQW6sVvUqN0U06WOzvbdDMGCvIvC6XwC3ORX3zsHsqK7nsEMPDpf5-VjpNYy33TkCf2h9dSdqeS7T3UnxFTiglPWZNPSkd6QGu6_1-qjMJzWwIYz1xJCXpLIUYgXI/s320/IMG_1963.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>I used bright blue silver lined beads on the edging, and they pick up the other colors of the shawl. I did discover, after the fact, that for 10 repeats of the edging I inadvertently used a US 3 (3.25 mm) needle. It was in the wrong needle pouch. Fortunately it didn’t really have much of an impact, if any. I certainly couldn’t see any when I blocked, and that may just be due to the fact that I was knitting lace. That needle is now safely put up in its proper needle pouch. I should have listened to my fingers when they were telling me that the needle was smaller in diameter than the needle that I had been using.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7ZxPEsneb7bFQKuFeDzcZ5LVT1XSV4ObxM_PfSBd8p15OoO-RiFrIsIEe7Fc9OMAYrSyr41duxpvjTjpJUVuWsG-p9BAJcbT_v12Wu2HQoTrOqwoulss99VxLhclSHySWEn_z7HfwAKBS-oC8meLSL8Br9DlM7lQpBDiLCTE0iYXLDw8ttM_CByPGmE/s3264/IMG_1962.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7ZxPEsneb7bFQKuFeDzcZ5LVT1XSV4ObxM_PfSBd8p15OoO-RiFrIsIEe7Fc9OMAYrSyr41duxpvjTjpJUVuWsG-p9BAJcbT_v12Wu2HQoTrOqwoulss99VxLhclSHySWEn_z7HfwAKBS-oC8meLSL8Br9DlM7lQpBDiLCTE0iYXLDw8ttM_CByPGmE/s320/IMG_1962.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Pattern: Over the Moon by Vicki Mikulak</div><div>Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering and Sundara Yarn Extra Fine Fingering Merino</div><div>Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)<br /><div><br /></div></div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935030351516051783.post-66264318286404232492024-01-20T09:01:00.003-05:002024-01-20T09:18:31.462-05:00Smaug Shawl - Skein 2 Done (Almost)!<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-5ZbWIzQWJXR0A8C9xPpjg_kEwjumj4SOB3PvjhnAKlntksgL2uA5Hq9COnEe4Rxz78KAdparaOZWoONtZJKEBjil6AGtsOsLYnai10oqYXf9GlFrGV-Arr1i2tyLHp5GOTi7Zg5H11kflOo9QLjWQjlS3vTy6OfuHqo5-FyvYX1JIqmuIuNJL1WTDA/s3264/IMG_1957.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-5ZbWIzQWJXR0A8C9xPpjg_kEwjumj4SOB3PvjhnAKlntksgL2uA5Hq9COnEe4Rxz78KAdparaOZWoONtZJKEBjil6AGtsOsLYnai10oqYXf9GlFrGV-Arr1i2tyLHp5GOTi7Zg5H11kflOo9QLjWQjlS3vTy6OfuHqo5-FyvYX1JIqmuIuNJL1WTDA/s320/IMG_1957.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>This has been the project that goes in my work bag so that I have something to work on while reading documents or sitting in virtual meetings. I have almost worked all of the second skein and am almost to the last increase row where I double my stitches. This pattern isn’t quite an Elizabeth Zimmerman Pi shawl because it has increases on the edges on the right side rows, but for the increases rows it does follow the basic Pi shawl formula. Once I do the next increase I can just knit as established, until I use up all six of my mini skeins. They are not enough to require another increase row (thank goodness) as I end up with almost 500 stitches as is.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I did have a bit of an “oh no” moment when I pulled it out at work this past week because I had forgotten to load the project in to my knitCompanion app on my phone, which is an Android device. If it had been an iPhone it would have just been there for me to use, but as it is not I have to upload it to Dropbox and download it onto my phone and I had forgotten to do that. So I grabbed the pattern from my Ravelry library and had to do the set up all over again, and then figure out where I was. Fortunately the pattern has stitch counts for all of the repeats so it wasn’t too hard.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pattern: Over the Moon by Vicki Mikulak</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yarn: The Unique Sheep 4 Ply SW Merino Fingering</div><div style="text-align: left;">Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)<br /> </div>Carolyn J. Blakelockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15436329813517665795noreply@blogger.com0