F is for Four Finally Finished

Finally finished four projects this week! All have been in progress for a long time!

Regia Socks

My pattern of K3, P1 with the Gerdene Strong heel.

Yarn: Regia Ringel

Needles: Size 2 (I am a die heart double point needle fan.)

Midsummer's Aran

Pattern by Chris Blysma

Yarn: Ella Rae Silkience

Needles: Size 6

Green Earth Grocery Bag by Noni

Yarn: Cascade 220

Needles: Size 11

Entrelac Bag See November 19, 2007 post for details. That's how long it's been waiting to be felted. Actually, I didn't want to felt it until I taught the class in February.

To answer some questions:Yes, I will be teaching the Midsummer Aran in April/May at Amazing Threads. The largest size shown is 1X or 48" chest. It should be on display at the shop.

Saturday Sky March 29, 2008

Blue sky with some soft fluffy clouds but it is supposed to cloud up and have snow/rain mix tonight. Our thermometer shows 53 degrees at 4PM but their is a wind so it doesn't feel that warm. The piles of snow are disappearing, but still not gone.

Saturday Sky March 22, 2008

Cloudy and snowy most of the day-temp did get up to 38.

Ravelry can be expensive

Ravelry itself is a free site-although donations are welcome. It's the links that can lead to purchases.

Cute stitch markers which explain how to do the kitchener stitch-a guide always with you. From www.girlontherocks.com/shop

A yarn bowl from www.knitwitch.com which I really like. Not only are there many designs to chose from, it really does keep the yarn ball from rolling all over.

Even my new shoes. RandomThreads has a similar picture as her profile picture, so she kindly gave me the ordering information.

I've also signed up for All Raveled Up Sock Club by Blue Hands Fibers. The profits from the club will go to Ravelry. I'm considering the Socks That Rock Sock Club also, but my head says I don't need another one and my budget says not at this time-we'll see. As my husband says, "Why wait, you know you'll do it eventually."

Wonderful Wallaby Cardigan

This is a sneak preview of Cottage Creations pattern due out in the Fall-The Wonderful Wallaby Cardigan. It differs from the original Wallaby not only because this is a cardigan, but it is done in garter stitch from the top down.

Two new ideas from this pattern:

1)Attaching thread (dental floss works beautifully as it is thin and smooth) to your markers does 2 things: the marker doesn't fly out of your knitting if it comes off the needles and the tail marks the marker placement for the length of the thread in this pattern for pocket placement.

2) Using attached I-cord to the edge of the hood.

This is a poor picture of the nearly finished sweater. The zipper has to be placed and I'm going to lengthen the sleeves and the hood. I find it hard to measure garter stitch accurately, so found once I tried it on I wanted it longer.

Yarn: Malabrigo color Red Mahogany

Needles: Sizes 5 and 7

Saturday Sky March 15, 2008

Minneapolis skyline taken from the car going over the Mississippi River on the Broadway bridge. Partly cloudy today with a high of about 35, but the wind made it feel colder than that.

Saturday Sky March 8, 2008

The day started out clear with blue sky and gradually clouded up resulting in a dusting of snow in the evening.

Sock Yarn Blanky

Several years ago a friend showed me the blanket she had started from left over sock yarn, so the idea started jelling. A couple weeks ago, I started! It is such fun! My squares are done with 31 stitches, in garter stitch, purling the center stitch on the wrong side and doing a double centered decrease. I'm using size 1 1/2 needles. (If anyone wants to donate leftover sock yarn, I will put it to good use.)

Shelly Kang has created quite a sensation in the knitting world with her Sock blanket which she just completed. (I had started mine before I saw hers.) It's fun to see the progress on her blog,

http://www.shellykang.com/2008/02/blankie-friday-wrap-up.html

E is for Edging

The edging/border is done and the transition section, so on to the main pattern. The main pattern has pattern done on the purl side row, too, so doesn't have that row of relaxation in between.

Pattern: Bleeding Hearts Stole

Source: Interweave Knits, Spring 2008

Yarn: Blackberry Ridge Laceweight wool/silk

Needles: Size 3 for the border

Size 4 for main pattern.

Saturday Sky March 1, 2008

Beautiful, clear, blue sky all day with a high of 40. Not bad for MN in March. In like a lamb-out like a lion?

Red Hat Meeting

We had such a good time at our meeting I forgot to take any pictures so this was the centerpiece I had. It was at my house and everyone brought snacks and we played games. We couldn't believe we would have so much fun playing Chicken Foot Dominoes.