Blueberry Fields Shrug - Cast On

Having finished up the center panel for my ECOLO shrug, I needed to get another one going to put in my work bag.  I pulled the next Paintbox set off my stack.

When I got in to work on Tuesday, my computer still hadn't changed state.  It was well and truly hung.  I checked the indicator lights and decided it wasn't accessing my hard drive and pushed the power button on the docking station.  Hard reboot.  It came back up and at first I thought it was going to boot up into Windows 7, but then it went back into the upgrade screen and I got to watch my computer go through the process.  It was done loading the operating system by lunch time, but then spent another 22 hours configuring.  By Wednesday mid-morning it was finally done and I was able to log back in.  Thankfully everything had been successful and I didn't lose any data.

Pattern:  Traveling Zebra Shrug by Carolyn Blakelock
Yarn:  Biscotte & Cie Bis-sock
Needles:  US 2.5 (3 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)

ECOLO Shrug - Center Panel Done

Our computers at work have been going through what is being called an "In Place Upgrade" to Windows 10.  Mine was scheduled to begin that upgrade on the evening of April 26.  I came into work the next day (Friday) to find that it had not completed.  The progress bar on the screen said "Verifying:  WMI".  There was a warning under the progress bar telling me that the process could take 16-20 hours and that I should not touch the computer or reboot it or interfere with the process in any way.  We had been told before the process that risk of data loss was high, so I was nervous about doing anything.  I got a loaner computer from the secretary and set it up at another desk so I could at least check emails, then I had one of my co-workers print me out a document that I needed to read.  I have a very nice office, with a window, so I don't need to use the overhead fluorescent lights, but the desk I set the loaner computer up at is in an office with no windows and I can't sit under fluorescent lights all day as they give me migraines.  So, back to my office I went with my printout.  I pulled out my knitting and read my document and watched my computer not complete the upgrade.  In fact it didn't change state at all.  All day.  I had a co-worker print out another document for me and kept reading, and knitting.  I had hoped that when I came in on Monday my computer would have completed the process.  It hadn't.  In fact it was still in the same state it was in on Friday.  I tried to get through to tech support, but instead spent several hours on hold.  I kept busy, and by the end of the day I had finished up the center panel of my ECOLO shrug.  My computer, meanwhile, had done nothing.

Pattern:  Traveling Zebra Shrug by Carolyn Blakelock
Yarn:  Biscotte & Cie Bis-sock
Needles:  US 2.5 (3 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)

Taurid - Cast On

The other project that I cast on recently is Taurid by Taiga Hilliard.  This is a kit that I purchased from Earthfaire (I have a hard time resisting Ellen's kits), and I pulled it off my kit tree in the front hall on April 15th.  I think I was feeling a bit in a rut and needed something to pull me out.  I haven't made a whole lot of progress, working a few rows here and there, but it is a nice project to pull out when I want a change of pace.

The yarns are Shalimar Yarns Paulie in Midnight in Mendoze, and Anzula Squishy Skeinettes in Wuthering Hanks.

Pattern:  Taurid by Taiga Hilliard
Yarn:   Shalimar Yarns Paulie in Midnight in Mendoze, and Anzula Squishy Skeinettes in Wuthering Hanks
Needle:  US 5 (3.75 mm)

Watermelon Shrug - One Side Done

This is such an easy project to pick up and put down, and I find the knitting very soothing.  The yarn is soft, I love the colors, and I know the pattern very well.  I finished up the first side this week.  I have a little bit of green left on this side, as well as some small quantities of leftovers of the other four colors.  I may do some short rows with the remnants, as I did on my very first shrugs, but first I'm going to work the other side.  When I was dividing up the darker green skein I misread the numbers and made one cake a little bit heavier than the other.  I want to make sure I don't need to use any of that remainder to finish up the second side.

Pattern:  Traveling Zebra Shrug by Carolyn Blakelock
Yarn:  Biscotte & Cie Bis-sock
Needles:  US 2.5 (3 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)

Irish Spring - Making Progress

I set this one to the side for a little bit while I waited for some beads I had ordered to arrive.  I worked 5 repeats of the Lace Chart A Pattern, and probably have enough yarn to do a 6th repeat, but I didn't have enough beads.  I tried to find a match on line, but wasn't really successful so I decided to continue without that 6th repeat.  I really don't have to use up every last yard of my yarn.  This is the last of the color A until we get to the very end.  I've just started working with the green.  I have a test knit I'm working on, so I will not be able to devote as much time to my other projects, but when my brain gets tired of test knitting it is always nice to have another project standing by that I can pick up.

Pattern:  Liken by Sivia Harding, modified to be a cape
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Kiri
Needle:  US 4 (3.5 mm)

Gazania Shrug - Beauty Shots

To use up the rest of the yarn I picked up stitches and did a simple lace eyelet cuff.  This gives the sleeves a nice flare and also a nice swing to them.  This is an easy add-on, and I may add them to some of my other shrugs.

Pattern:  Traveling Zebra Shrug by Carolyn Blakelock
Yarn:  Biscotte & Cie Bis-sock
Needles:  US 2.5 (3 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)

ECOLO Shrug - Center Panel Almost Done

Once I started working on the Watermelon Shrug I cast on another center panel from one of the other Paintbox sets I have in my stash.  As you can tell, I've made pretty good progress.  This one is called ECOLO, and is all greens.

The dark green skein is a little light on the weight - only 44.6 grams, so to get a decent length I only cast on 29 stitches instead of the called for 32.

Pattern:  Traveling Zebra Shrug by Carolyn Blakelock
Yarn:  Biscotte & Cie Bis-sock
Needles:  US 2.5 (3 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)