New Pathways

Well can I blame ravelry and the dial up internet connection for my lateness in posting? I have just joined the "New Pathways" group over on Ravelry and the blog so I can knit along. Who wouldn't want to knit these socks. I have soooo much sock yarn and this book motivates me. Of course I am trying to hold off until I get other stuff finished. I did quickly cast on the sky practice socks (above) and I will do the other pair of "practice" socks as well. However I really want to clear some things off my needles. I also ordered 2 sets of 2mm circulars from KnitPicks and am kind of waiting for those to arrive as well. In the meantime I haven't ordered any sock yarn but seem to be bitten by the worsted weight bug and want to knit hats for Bronson and mitts for myself.

I was able to score some new yarns, 2 skeins of worsted, one turquoise and one pink lemonaid from Shelridge Farm, and one skein of Handmaiden sea silk lace in dragonfly (How could I resist?) from the Sweet Sheep. And while I was buying I grabbed two skeins of hand painted worsted from See Jane Knit. I also got some adorable stitch markers from her as well. They are darling.

I cast on last night for the tri peak hat from Wooly Worm Head for Bronson with the dark green from See Jane Knit. I know it isn't cold enough yet for a worsted weight merino hat, but it will be. The other skein of worsted from Jane will be the I cord Beanie. (Again Wooly worm Head)

Since I've finished my Mystery Shawl, I've been working on Forest Canopy Shawl in the Sangria Mini Maiden, again gorgeous stuff as well as the Montego Bay scarf (Interweave knits) in Rose Handmaiden Sea Silk. And here are the twisted flower from Cookie A. Its in Regia Silk. Nice to work with. But I don't love the color. I also have some plain vanilla socks on the needles as well. But don't have a photo of them. Maybe if I ever get them done I'll post them. However they seem to be taking me forever!

Mystery Stole 3 - Finished

Well I did it. On time too. The Mystery Stole is completed. I'm not the best at working the camera and had to get my 16 y/o son to model for me. he is a good sport about it though. It's too bad it isn't in black or white, but I had this Zephyr Indigo just sitting in my stash. I'm in lace mode now though and have Leda's Dream on my needles (Zephyr again in Lady Slipper colorway). And I just down loaded the Forest Canopy Shawl by Susan Lawrence. I have one skein of Mini Maiden just begging to be made into something.

The Mini Maiden by fleece Artist is so wonderful to work with! Of course any of the fleece Artist or Hand Maiden yarns are to die for! I was knitting a scarf from Victoria Lace Today but frogged it as I wasn't getting gauge. So I searched ravelry and came up with the Forest Canopy Shawl. It's tiny, but I think the mini maiden in Sangria will be gorgous. How could it not be gorgeous using the silk?

I have to put up a pic of my boys. Richard (on the left) now 16 and Pierce 19. Pierce will be heading back to university this fall, year 2 so I won't see him for a while. It was nice having him home for the summer though. I especially had to include this picture as John just about has a fit when Pierce wears the headband. I don't think it looks bad though and you can get away with such things in this day and age! Of course he probably won't wear it in Vancouver, but Likely is very forgiving. Oh by the way this is what happens to your Jetta when you let a 16 y/o drive it! (Well we didn't let him, but he did drive it! Obviously! All I can say is thank goodness he didn't kill himself or anyone else! kids! Argh!

Meanwhile I've been knitting socks like made as well. I've been on a buying spree with the knitting project bags and feel I have to put socks (or something) in everyone of them. I working on the Twisted Flower Sock Pattern from Cookie A. (Love her patterns) out of Regia Silk. It's pretty. I had to frog a hotwater bottle cover for the yarn. But felt the twisted flower needed to be in solid yarn so you could see the pattern better. I've also got a plain vanilla in a yarn from Sunshine Yarns it is beautiful in browns, blues (waterfall colorway) ! I knit on it at night in bed before I got to sleep or when I don't want (or can't) think. (waiting in line, driving in the car and DH thinks I should be talking to him. What a doll.

Well must run...literally! I'm on week three of my running program and all seems to be going well. Sun is actually out for a change so I won't get soaked this time. Oh. I also ordered the yarn for my Knitting Pure and Simple wrap cardigan, (Debbie Bliss Merino DK) yarn for Knitting Pure and Simple bulky cardigan for all 3 grandkids (Patons Shetland Chunky tweeds) and some Patons Classic wool for a cabled purse free from Ramwools.

I also ordered the new Cat Bordhi Booked called New Pathways for Sock Knitters. I couldn't but in Canada yet... go figure as cat Bordhi is Canadian after all so had to order out of the states. But ordered thru Colorsong Yarn and while I was there I picked up a skein of Handmaiden Sea Silk Lace in Rose for the Mantego Shawl from Interweave. When I joined the Canadian Shopping group on Etsy I felt guilty for buying from the states (even though they have great customer service and ship very, very quickly) so went over to The Sweet Sheep and bought a skein of Sea Silk Lace in Dragon Fly for a Clapotis. So a bit off of my yarn diet there. But still OK. I think. Hopefully all the new purchases, including 2 new project bags from Piddlee (argh! I can hardly go on that site without ordering something!) will all arrive after Tuesday this week when DH is back to work!

Update

Its been forever. But life goes on and on and on (argh). I've been keeping up with my Mystery stole though, thank goodness. Its beginning to take shape. Only one clue left.

I've also done some work on Leda's Dream.

I'm plugging away at my stash of sock yarn, so I can get my wheel soon. I've finished the Loksins (easy pattern and knits up quickly)

I've frogged my Kauni. I think it will become 2 sweaters for my granddaughters instead of one for me since my 19 y/o son told me it was a "fashion disaster".

I've been enjoying ravelry and all its glory and listening to podcasts! I don't know what I'd do without the knitting podcasts. I love 'em.

Speaking about loving something.. since I'm on the "yarn diet". I love the project bags you can buy from etsy. I have all kinds..I can't stop buying. However I must recommend Piddlee. These bags are fantastic. I love the box shape, keeps everything neat and orderly. Have elastic inside to hold your needles and comes with a matching notions bag. Heavy interfacing keeps the bags sturdy. You can also get a grommet inserted so you can feed your yarn thru the grommet and don't have to have the bag open to knit. I haven't used it yet though as I was already started my Mystery Shawl when the bag came. I have ordered two (2!) more though and will definately use the grommet next time. If you are in the market check out Piddlee. Plus the sisters are fun to deal with and include little "extras" with each order! Nice stitch markers (from other Etsy sellers), gift tags, note cards, pins....It's a fantastic package to receive! Go there now! (Piddlee)

Also got the pattern for these cute Mary janes! They may not look like much on my feet, but let me tell you once you put these on you won't want to take them off. Wonderful. Plus small enough you can throw them in you purse and have with you when you need to take your shoes off. I recommend them. They knit up really, really quickly and you can easily memorize the pattern.

So what will I work on today? I have had the urge to resurrect mom's red cables. Maybe its because the heat has backed off a bit and it also seems like a fall day (early in the AM anyway. It was only 3 yesterday at 4:00 AM) and I haven't worked on it in a while. I'm just about up to the armhole shaping. It would take no time to finish it....if I just worked on it.

I've been busy spinning as well. Dear Hubby won't let me just spin though, always wants me to create something from the spinning fibers. So I made a mitt and I probably have enough spun up to make the other. Just have to get busy. The last two balls I made I just knit into "swatches". My spinning is coming along. I hope all this spindle spinning will help me when I get the wheel! Considering I've never had a wheel or sat behind one!

I've been having Way to much fun over on Ravelry and my blog has suffered a bit for it. But oh well. I am still on dial up (I don't know if we'll ever see high speed) and if I'm posting pics its for ravelry and once they are up I don't have time (or patience) to post to the blog as well. And when you work full time, look after husband, kids and pet, (plus squeeze in some excercise for me) I have to have time to knit or I'd go bonkers. Therefore the blog usually loses out somewhat!