Close to my Heart

Boxleaf Triangle

Wow, long time no post!  It's been a busy couple a weeks, and quite honestly, I didn't really have anything to blog about.  Hopefully the drought is over though, I have been busy knitting and spinning so will have a few things to share in the coming week or so.

Today's post is quite picture heavy, because I have a lovely new Finished Object to show you.  I present to you, the Boxleaf Triangle.  The pattern itself was well written, and that combined with the lovely yarn from Sugarbee Studios made for a very rewarding knit. 

Here's the pics:

The nifty edging that is knitted as you go:

And featuring the shawl pin from Uli of The Knitter's Nook, that I think looks like it was made just for this shawl:

New Lace on the Needles

It's always exciting to finish one project and cast another onto the needles.  With the Kauni Revontuli shawl off the addi lace needles, it was time to cast on another project.  After finishing the Knitspot tessarae socks (see last post) I couldn't wait to get started on one of her lace patterns.  I fell in love with the Boxleaf Triangle when it was first debuted on the Knitspot blog, and immediately placed it in my queue.  I chose to use the pretty purple Sugarbee Studios January Sock club yarn for this project.  This is a beautiful yarn, but since I only like to use superwash yarns for my socks, I had to find another use for it, and this was it.

Here's the first WIP shots, taken yesterday when we actually has some sun coming into the living room.  We have had really weird March weather, and yesterday was particularly indicative of that, with everything from sun to snow to rain, and from dark and dreary to bright and sunny.  But I digress, here are the lace in progress pictures:

The lace pattern appears to be a little lost in the pictures, but not quite so much in real life.  The shawl shown in the Knitspot pattern shop is a verigated yarn, so I think it will be okay and should hopefully make a stunning shawl.  At any rate, I'm enjoying knitting this pattern, and have in fact finished another ten row pattern repeat since taking these pictures.  It is fairly simple lace, yet the construction is a little different than other shawls I have knit, which I think adds to the enjoyment.

Revontuli Shawl: A Finished Object

I finally was able to block the shawl yesterday.  I used the foam interlocking mats for the first time, and I'm so happy I purchased them.  Blocking is much easier on them than my previous method of pinning to the carpet.

There was a bit of mishap in the blocking of the kitty variety.  I woke up this morning to find little scratch marks on the mat, and a few lose threads on the shawl.  Buttons seems to have been intrigued by the mat, but fortunately no lasting damage was done.  This is the first time that a kitty has disturbed my blocking projects.

It is a beautiful almost spring day here today, and I was able to coerce Joe into going outside to snap a few pictures for me.  I must admit that it makes me happy every spring when I can once again get outside for knitting pictures, the quality is just so much better than what is seen in indoor shots.  Here's the pics:

This has been a very satisfying project to knit, beautiful fun yarn, enjoyable pattern, as well as a fun knit a long.  Kauni comes in such beautiful colours, and seeing them knit up in other colourways by other KAL participants (check out the KAL Ravelry board here) I can totally see making this again.  Oh, and this project also marks the first time I have used Addi Lace Needles.  LOVE them, and so glad I splurged on their purchase.  I will not want to knit other lace projects on any other needles now.

Handspun Forest Canopy, A Finished Object

Happy New Year everyone, time for my first post of 2009.  I remembered yesterday that there was one Finished Object from 2009 that I had forgotten to show you, so while the sun was streaming into the living room yesterday, I took the opportunity for the photo shoot.  Here's my handspun Forest Canopy Shawl.  Definitely my favourite handspun knit yet.  And it's my third Forest Canopy too, yet I still love this easy lace pattern and would definitely make it again.  Here's the pics, there's even more over on my Ravelry Project Page.

WIP Wednesday

I`ve cast on for another Forest Canopy Shawl, my third.  I love this simple lace pattern.  This one will actually be a shawlette, since I am a little low on the amount of yarn needed.  The yarn is handspun merino tencel, the last yarn I spun.  I`m taking a little break from it at the moment to work on Christmas gifts, but am really looking forward to working on it again.  The combination of a simple lace pattern coupled with the joy of knitting with yarn spun myself makes for some of the most rewarding knitting I can think of.  Here`s the pics:

The Absent Blogger

Well, despite my best intentions and even photographing my current WIP on the weekend, I just wasn't motivated to blog.  I'm stealing a few minutes before hitting the shower and getting on with my work day now though, just doesn't seem to happen in the evening these days.

I'm suffering a bit of startitis lately.  Rather than working on any of the projects already cast on, I decided to cast on for something new this past weekend.  I've had some yarn that has been trying to decide what to be for some time, it just wasn't happy with two previous cast ons.  Late Saturday night, it finally decided, and its knitter is quite pleased with the results.  I present to you Misti Alpaca Lace, in the beginning stages of becoming an Adamas Shawl:

I'm really enjoying this so far simple lace project.

I also thought I'd show you the method I use for keeping my place on a chart while knitting lace:

I learned about this method a few years ago on some now forgotten Yahoo group.  Highlighter tape that once torn off the dispenser, can be reused several times, often for the life of the project.  I was unable to find this tape locally, eventually finding at some also forgotten website.  I believe you can find this tape at educational supply stores.

In other news, I have a skating update for you.  Last Wednesday marked the end of the Spring Skating session.  I am now off the ice until September.  I had actually contemplating quitting skating, but have now decided I will continue, but will only skate one night per week rather than the two.  With the new job and other community involvement, two nights has become too much for me.  Anyhow, I'm happy to report that I FINALLY passed another level!  (Not my club but the best list of this level I could find)                               
Some things I did better than others, my coach was definitely being nice to me because my one foot back spin and three jump need a lot of work! But I came home happy and will now look forward to skating starting again in September.

Okay, better get off the computer and get ready for work before I'm late!  Hope your week is going well.

Autumn Leaves in Spring?

Now that Spring is kind of sort of here (in some parts anyway) I have Autumn Leaves to show you.  I actually finished this shawl, using Evelyn Clark's Leaf Lace Shawl pattern (Ravelry Link) way back in October 2007.  I had however injured my knee skating, and crawling around on the floor to block just wasn't going to happen.  And once my knee was better, I had lost interest in the whole blocking thing.  Last weekend though, after casting on the Norwegian Woods shawl I figured I'd better get my last lacy project done before I had two to block.  I'm glad to finally officially declare this shawl a Finished Object.  I really enjoyed knitting this, the pattern is interesting yet not too complicated to be frustrating.  And the Sweatermaker Island Hues Yarn, available from Fun Knits, is lovely to work with too.  Here's the pictures, all clickable:

I'm enjoying a lovely four day weekend.  It's been quite relaxing, but time to go vacuum and get a few groceries before I can relax with my hobbies.  Off to the in-laws for Easter dinner leftovers tonight, I'm happy to not have had to cook most of this weekend!

Actual Knitting Content

It's been a while since I've had any knitting content here on the ol' blog, so I figure it is about time to include said content.  I have some finished objects to show you.  First of all, the first pair of Christmas gift socks:

Excuse the crumpled up picture, I couldn't use my blockers since these socks are bigger than those I would make for myself.  Yarn is ONline Supersocke 100 City Color #923.  The matching pattern was going quite well until I encountered a knot just past the heel on one of the socks (the one on the right I think) after which one colour was repeated.  I couldn't be bothered to rip back, I don't think the recipient will mind though!

Yesterday I cast off the Autumn Leaf Shawl (Evelyn Clark's Leaf Lace Pattern), however you'll have to excuse this unblocked picture for now:

You may recall that I hurt my knee while skating last month.  Although said knee is about 95% back to normal, it still hurts to crawl around on the floor, thus crawling to pin this thing out will have to wait for a bit.

Speaking of skating....although I went back on the ice after taking about ten days off as per doctor's orders, I'm finding it rather difficult.  The knee no longer hurts on the ice, and I'm wearing a support, the problem has now turned into a psychological one.  I'm finding it really hard to push myself even slightly now for fear of re-injuring.  Except for during my lesson time, I pretty much skate around the ice not doing much.  I hope my fear will vanish soon and I'll get my mojo back!

Typepad introduced some new templates today.  Always one to enjoy playing around with the ol' blog, I've changed my template.  I reserve the right to change it several more times in the next few days!  Time to go knit now, especially since this is the only night this week without other obligations (even if they are fun ones!).

A Winner, a WIP and some Cuteness

I'm pleased to announce that the winner of my contest was Lissette, who blogs at Crafty Girly.  Her name was picked using a tool found at Random.org.  Lissette tells me that she never wins anything, so I'm happy to have drawn her name.  Her package is on it's way to Florida, sure hope she likes it.  I had fun looking around her blog getting an idea about her tastes.

In other news....an unanticipated busy weekend meant that Kauni never got started, in fact, minimal knitting occurred.  I ended up assisting one of my friends with childcare, so did get some sock knitting done at a soccer game on Saturday, and Sunday I didn't pick up the needles until the evening.  I worked a bit on the Leaf Lace Shawl, which I am really enjoying.  It's fairly simple lace (I'm somewhat reluctant to say that since I now may screw things up royally) and I think yields a very pretty result.  I'm tempted to work on nothing but this, but the deadline for the Red Scarf Project is rapidly approaching so I really must pay some attention to that.  I also need to finish my September socks for the Sock a Month KAL 4. I think this is the third one of these I've participated in, and I really do like the goal of a pair of socks a month.  Anyhow, I digress, here's a picture of the Leaf Lace Shawl in progress:

Yarn is Sweatermaker Lace Weight Yarn purchased some time ago at Fun Knits.  I've been saving this a while now, feeling that it would be a great Fall shawl to knit using this leafy pattern.  I think I will call it my Autumn Leaves Shawl.

And finally, I leave you with pure cuteness:

Brown, Pink, and Ouch

Continuing the brown and pink theme, I have an FO to show you that is NOT socks!  Friday night I cast off, Saturday I blocked, and Sunday was the photo shoot.  Presenting, my second Forest Canopy Shawl:


The "Blowing in the Wind" Artsy Shot:

And a close-up:

Pattern:  Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl
Designer:  Susan Pierce Lawrence (A great designer who just today debuted her latest shawl pattern.  I'll be buying it for sure, her patterns are very well written and attractive)
Started:  March 4
Completed:  March 30
Yarn:  Brown and Pink Fingering Weight Superwash Merino (400 Yards) from Etsy Seller Epicurus (Lazy Perry Ranch),
Needles:  3.75 mm Knitpicks Options (used a 4.0 mm Bryspun DPN to cast off). 
Modifications:  I knit to 259 stitches before casting off.  Blocked shawl measures approximately 28 inches long by 51 inches wide.

The shawl is going to look great with these earrings that I bought from Uli.  Check out her Etsy Store.

On another topic.....last week I had a rather traumatic dental hygiene appointment.  I was nervous (I'm a barely recovered dental phobic) because my previous wonderful dental hygienist is no longer working for my dentist, so I knew I was seeing someone different.  Well, I ended up with someone who's previous employment was dealing with gum disease, and I think she sees decaying gums in every mouth she looks in.  After scaring me by showing me pictures of diseased gums and telling me that was what I had, she talked me into freezing around the one bad tooth so that she could do mega scraping.  Ouch!  Then the dentist came to do his exam.  Well it turns out that the decay is because I have one very badly cracked tooth that cannot be saved.  I had experienced some intermittent pain, but thought it was because of my Invisalign treatment.  I now have to have the one tooth extracted.  I'm thankful that I got in on a cancellation (no point prolonging things), so please think of me tomorrow at 11:40, connected to my IPod for distraction, and being thankful for nitrous oxide!