The Lost Points Shawl

A work in progress is The Lost Points Shawl. I am using South West Trading Company's Melody Novelty Yarn, taupe color and 100% Bamboo, Chocolate color on circular needles, US #8. This project will probably take me into next year, at the rate I am going, 'going nowhere real fast'.

Counted Cross Stitch Lighthouse

The Thomas Kincade Lighthouse (counted cross stitch pattern) is being worked on by my oldest daughter. I am adding the finishing touches of french knots, which she hates doing. The piece is lovely, quite involved, but I believe will be worth the work once the piece is finished and framed.

Multidirectional Knitting - Scarf & Coaster

The multidirectional scarf was made in Artyarns Supermerino Colorway 119. I received this pattern through the Artyarns site (www.artyarns.com) once I joined the Yahoo group. The pattern is written by Iris Schreier. She has several books out and the group is moderated by her with several others. The multidirectional technique is fasinating and fast moving.

The coaster is made in Lion Brand's 100% Felting Wool Multicolor called 'Majestic Mountains'.

1x1 Men's Tweed Scarf & Unisex Tweed Cap/Hat

The tweed scarf was made using 100% Mongolian Cashmere Handspun by Jade Sapphire. This yarn was my very first expensive yarn. It was purchased in a store in Downtown Manhattan, New York called Purl (www.purlsoho.com). Purchased equal amounts of the color taupe and natural to make my own tweed and used a 1x1 ribbing pattern.

The cap/hat is made in the same yarn using a HandMaiden's Pattern for a Cloche Hat, but I changed it ever so slightly.

Shawls - Triangle and Rectangle

The rectangular and triangle shawl are both from Lion Brand's free pattern collections.

The triangle shawl was my very first project after I learned to knit and purl. I used Lion Brand's Trellis Yarn, Ocean Blue color. Used very large needle in order to achieve the airy drape. I did this pattern three times in order to get it 'right'. Not because the pattern was difficult, but because the yarn kept slipping off the needles; the second time I made the shawl, just as I was binding off, two stitches fell off and ran the length of the shawl. I was 'shell shocked'. But I was on a mission to finish this project and I did!!!

Unfortunately I didn't know about 'wooden' needles and so I used aluminum needles and learned the hard way that needles and yarns really need to be matched or married in order to finish a project. I learn quite quickly there were other needles I could use.

The rectangular shawl was created in Bernat's Matrix Yarn, Copper Wire color. This was my second project and that went really fast once I learned about and discovered the warmth and ease of wooden needles.

Retro Anklets

I finally started on 'real' socks rather than 'dummy socks'. Already I have hit several snafus. These 'snafus' will not deter me from learning the technique of sock knitting.

The pattern I am using for my first real socks comes from the book Socks - Socks - Socks by XRX Books. The pattern is called "Retro Anklets" and is considered an Easy Level project. The yarn is Opal Pfau, using #4 dpns. I am still working my way through this "easy level" pattern.

Quote of the Week

"When I was young I knew everything, now that I am old, I realize how little I know."

Well, I figure I better start 'posting' or else no one will visit me very often.