Buzzy Bees

In my last post I mentioned Bee Fields. Here's what it looked like on Sunday (or maybe it was Monday... yes, actually I think it was Monday):



People, this bugger is hard :(

This is the first lace project I've worked on (but to be honest, I haven't really worked on that many lace projects) that the wrong side isn't just a place to purl back across. There is shaping on the wrong side. This is really slowing down my progress, lol. We can assume that this won't be another 9 day lace project :p

I've worked on it a little bit every day. Last night I didn't work on it all (hello? Ghost Hunters and Project Runway require my undivided attention), but I did work on it on my lunch break, so I say that that counts.

I haven't worked on my Snowflake Socks at all - inspiration hasn't hit. I should really cast on for just plain toe up socks so at least I'll have one other FO this month (besides the toe up socks already completed)... so we'll see. I just dread winding any yarn because it always ends up being such a catastrophe.

Tomorrow's topic (so that I don't forget): the reorganization of my craft stuff - maybe I'll even take pictures!

Pictures and an Updates

I hate it when life gets in the way and sucks out knitting mojo. I took pictures of my latest FOs, but they're not very good. I blame the inability to take my time taking pictures on life. At least I updated my sidebar with completed objects and finally put up the 2008 list.

So here we go. Beginning with Seraphim (the still unblocked Seraphim, but Seraphim nonetheless):



Name: Seraphim Shawl
Pattern: Seraphim Shawl by Miriam L. Felton
Needle: US 5 / 3.75 mm
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock - Lightweight
How much?: 3 skeins
Colorway: Rook-y
Started and Completed December 2007

I really enjoyed this knit. It was perfect for riding in the car up to 18 hours a day and really easy to follow and memorize. I almost wish that this was my first major lace project because the pattern was written impeccably (no errata!) and the charts are just so clear and easy to understand. Afraid of lace? Definitely start with Seraphim - you'll be hooked!



Like I said, it still needs to be blocked... but I'm wondering if I could get away with just steam blocking it? The lace is actually pretty clear, I believe... I'll think about it.

Next up: More socks!



Name: Toe Up Socks
Pattern: Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Sock by Wendy Johnson
Needle: US 1½ / 2.5 mm
Yarn: Zitron Trekking (XXL)
Colorway: 157
Started and Completed: December 2007

The socks are actually slightly stretched out in the picture. I wore them on the trip back to Texas and they were stuffed in the snow boots that I had to buy while in New Hampshire. Talk about staying toasty! But they're really cool: I like the thick stripes that happen (and look how nicely I got them to align!), but they're broken up by little bits of color still. And are they on sock blockers? Why, yes they are! Courtesy of my mum from The Loopy Ewe!!

Next: another toe up sock



Name: Toe Up Socks
Pattern: Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Sock by Wendy Johnson
Needle: US 1½ / 2.5 mm
Yarn: Zitron Trekking (XXL)
Colorway: 78
Purchased at: The Elegant Ewe in Concord, New Hampshire
Started and Completed January 2008

Please excuse the fuzzy picture, I must have been laughing or something :/

These were a little harder to get the colors to line up, mainly because I cast on for these in the car and all of the colors looked the same because of the sunny glare! So I really didn't know what they looked like until they were finished, haha :)

Here's a started project: Snowflake Socks


Snowflake Socks by Chrissy Gardiner

I actually finished this single sock, and have casted on the for the second. But take a peek at the side here:



How about those cute little stripes? I'm only working on this when I get the inspiration to do colorwork. (which lately hasn't been too often, woops) Last night I actually finally casted on for Bee Fields in the suggested Wooly Wonka Fibers merino laceweight (another XMas gift). It took me a little bit to get used to Anne's lace writing because I'd been using Miriam's so much... but it's now starting to become a little clearer. I even had too look up how to perform the backwards loop cast-on method (which is what makes those little bumps along the top of the shawl) so yay! Pictures (good ones, I hope) to come!

No pictures, but definitely finished objects!

I was so pleased with my holiday knitting success! The only thing that didn't fit was my brother's hat, but I'll just whip him up another one soon enough. So yay! I started my Seraphim Shawl the Thursday before Christmas (the 20th) and finished it the Saturday after Christmas (the 29th). However, I didn't do the last two rows of the edging chart because I was running out of yarn. In fact, I had to pull out plain black Louet pearl for the cast-off because I completely ran out! Eek! I haven't blocked nor taken a picture of it yet, but I've definitely been snuggling in it - it's not perfect, but it's exactly what I wanted! I'm completely thrilled with it.

After I get my income tax return, I'm planning on buying more STR Ravenclan yarn (laci) to make Irtfa'a. This is gorgeous, as well!

In addition, I finished a pair of trekking socks and started another. Again, no pics... but maybe this weekend I'll snap a few.

In New Hampshire, I bought another spindle, a niddy noddy, and some more roving. It's my attempt to inspire myself to learn to spin... I make no promises, but we shall see.

This is chopppy. Sorry!!