Luna Moth Shawl

Earlier this week, on my Civil War Shawl group, someone mentioned that she wanted to do this shawl as a KAL. After clicking on the link to a free pattern, I decided that I wanted to do this one, only now! So, on Thursday night, I sat and ripped out a completed shawl that I never have liked very well. (The knitting was great, but it didn't fit the way that I wanted.) Then, last night, I cast on. I really, really don't need another project on the needles, right now, but its coming out so great, and I just love new projects!!

Green Gable is coming along. I have only 2 balls (out of 6) of yarn left to knit. I have a feeling this sweater is going to take nearly all that I purchased. It doesn't look much different than last time, so no picture, yet.

A Yarn Gift

On Wednesday night, I arrived home to a package from Jen, from the International Tote Exchange III. In it, there was a skein of Malabrigo in a dark purple colorway. The yarn is so beautiful and soft, I just had to start something with it. I went through a few books, looking for a small project, and came across a pair of gloves in the One Skein book that I had been wanting to make. That same night, I cast on for them. I haven't had much time at home to knit, and these don't make very good commuter knitting, so last night I worked on them for about an hour, getting 1 finger and most of another knitted. I'm very pleased with the way this yarn is feeling as it is knitted. Its also much stronger than I thought it might be. I've often had singles, like this, break too easily. However, I had to go find some scissors to cut the yarn at the end of the first finger! This was a very pleasant surprise. (The color is much deeper than seen here. The flash washed it out some.)

One FO, 2 new UFOs

This weekend, I did manage to finish the Blue & White socks. I stayed up a little late, last night to get the ends woven in, but they look great!

On Friday night, I finished all but the hood on my cardigan, and for that I only have about 11 inches left to finish knitting. I'm excited to see this project almost done, as it will make a great Spring jacket. Our weather is warming up, after the snow last week, and so it is feeling like Spring, again. This will be some good motivation to finish the sweater.

I started 2 new projects this weekend. On Saturday, I went to my LYS to return the extra 2 hanks of yarn from the cardigan, and ended up exchanging them for some of Elisabeth Lasvold's Hempathy. I'm going to make the Green Gable for my mom for her birthday, in June. I finished off one of the six skeins of yarn on Sunday afternoon. Its looking good. She saw me working on it, and absolutely loved the soft hand to the fabric and the lace at the front neckline. I asked her a few questions about the style, which she answered as though the sweater was for me, but with an answer like, "If it was me, I'd..." This was perfect!! Then, she had a favorite sweater drying in the bathroom, so I measured it for length and width at the underarm. Green Gable should be very easy to knit to those specifications. I really want to make a new favorite for her.Finally, I started the Huskies socks. I am using my favorite pattern, Wendy's Generic Toe Up Socks, which I have re-calculated the number of stitches to fit a foot that is 11 inches instead of 8. I finished the toe, as seen here, and then worked another 1/2 inch or so on my way into work, this morning. The yarn is so soft and squishy. These socks would be hard to give away, if they would fit me. Of course, they won't, though as they will be way to big!

Another New Project

Last night, I went shopping for yarn for the Tote Exchange III. Getting to spend an hour in the store looking at everything and talking to the store keeper, was very relaxing and exciting at the same time.

I started a swatch. Since this will be felted, the swatch needs to be, too. And, I have some elements on the bag that will be cut from the felt, so the swatch is usable...I think that's great!! I hate wasting yarn to swatch felt.

A Day of Yarn Shopping

On Saturday my friend and I, along with her 6 year old daughter, took the day to go yarn store hopping. We visited a store in Tacoma, Fibers Etc. Wow, the owner had a ton of different yarns and was great help when asked about her stock. Unfortunately, we really didn't know what we wanted, so we left without any purchases, but the store sure was an adventure to shop in!

On our way back north (toward home) we stopped at Ikea for lunch, and then continued on to Main Street Yarns in Mill Creek. We liked this store, and wandered around for almost an hour, but still didn't find "just the right thing." I'm really not sure what we were looking for, but whatever it was sure didn't bite.

We finally ended up at Pacific Fabrics. Although their selection was much smaller than Fibers Etc., we each made a purchase. I decided to start knitting a spring sweater for my self from Big Girl Knits, Curvalicious Cardigan. I decided on these colors:

I found and loved the pink, Cascade 220. I tried looking for an espresso color that would work, but couldn't find anything I really liked, even with help! However, our time had slipped away. So, on Sunday, I went to the Village Yarn and Tea. They had Berroco's Ultra Alpaca in a dark brown. I loved it! I was so excited for a new project that I went home and finished the first inch before I went to bed, last night. I'm really loving the contrast in the colors and am excited to see it continue to take form.