OK - confession time....

Looking at the picture in the previous post, doesn't it appear that my shawl is progressing from the point UPWARD? Well - that's what I thought, anyway! I was a little confused when the directions spoke of knitting the scalloped border on the bottom edge (and my working yarn was on the 195 stitches that go across the top - or as I though they were). Well - those of you that know what I am talking about are probably laughing right now.... Go ahead, enjoy!!!

So - my shawl was all done this morning, and as I was trying to figure out just how I was supposed to block it into the shape I wanted - when it certainly did not want to go into that shape - I realized, yes - I had made it upside down!! My scalloped edge was actually across the TOP of the shawl. DUH -- Inexperience goes a long way......

Now - there - I have told you all how really stupid I am..... I am going to go frog for awhile...

See you all again when my red face stops burning!!!! (perhaps I should stick with socks - at least I can tell the toe from the heel)

Thanks .. and an update

First off, thanks to everyone for the very positive and encouraging comments you left for both my lace efforts, and the CIC colorblock sweater. You are all just too kind!!

And - a progress photo. I keep reading that this pattern is easy to memorize -- I keep waiting for my brain to believe it!! I still need to watch my chart..... Slow learner, I guess. (Also have had to tink back a few times - but so far - so good!)

Warm Belly-Buttons.....

Yes - everyone should have one! So - I added onto the bottom of my sweater! My DH (yes - darling man that he is) says it looks like it's supposed to be that way!! Sure!! - but he means well!

After I got the sleeves on, the body had shrunk even more - so, as a last resort. ... Then, I did not like the seams on the garter band, so -- a little creative detail stitching.

It will be warm!! Gotta remember that.....

It was a very good day.....

Yesterday was my birthday. It was terrific. I spent the day entirely as I wished, and my evening was filled with family. I received a beautiful flower arrangement from my friend Janet, and worked on my shawl, yarn courtesy of Shirley. If this is ageing - bring it on.

My shawl.... Hmmmm.. Ok, you experienced lace knitters - should it look like a cobwebby mess at this stage? When not stretched out, it is quite curious to behold, to be sure! I am being optomistic, and forging ahead......


My days at work are very numbered, and no matter how much I want to retire, these final days are difficult. Work has been a part of my life for 27 years - all at the same place. I will be glad when Thursday, Feb 1st comes. The departure will be over, and the next part of my life will have begun.

Someone - Somewhere...?

The colorblock sweater is coming along, with a little "bump"! I somehow made the body shorter by 1 inch than I intended. I keep hearing the mantra: "It will fit some child somewhere". Hope so!

I am taking a break from it while I play with my shawl project. And, while I watch the snow fall..... (again)

It's a good day in January.....

Yes, they were right. It snowed. Approximately 7 inches, give or take. It's beautiful and fun for the kids, and exactly what a January Sunday should be like! Guess I am a mid-westerner that likes the four seasons that we have here - winter included.



I received the most thoughtful birthday gift from my friend Shirley. Four skeins of velvety soft baby Alpaca lace wt yarn. It is Knitpicks Alpaca Cloud, in "Sand" colorway. It is truly luscious!! I have been thinking of knitting a lace shawl, and this is just the catalyst that I needed. I purchased Susan Pierce Lawrence's pattern here, and I am all ready to roll. I understand this to be a good project for a beginner, so hope that is true. This will be my birthday project on Tuesday. I will be home from work, and with Sofee on my lap, I will start my very first ever lace shawl project! Thanks Shirley, and wish me well, everyone!!



Progress on the colorblock sweater continues. This is a fun project, and should go fairly fast. I have my colors planned out, if I have enough of each..... Here's hoping.

Welcome Saturday Sun!

Yes, another sunrise photo. Sorry folks, I am a morning person.... What you can't see in this photo is the hoarfrost covering all of the trees. It is so very sparkly and beautiful. There is a winter storm warning predicted for later this evening - into tomorrow. It is expected to bring another 5-6 inches of snow to mid-Iowa. Yes - it is January after all!!

Now on to the knitting:
Shirley and I have decided to make the "little pink sweater" as we call it AKA: "A Tunic Sweater for the Family" - a Cottage Creations pattern - in colorblocks of bold primary colors. We plan to begin later today. If anyone else has this pattern and would like to join in, you are welcome to do so. While I am color-phobic for any garment that I plan to wear, I do enjoy working with bright colors for the CIC kids. Pehaps that is why I so enjoy the CIC knitting I have been doing - that and the fact that the whole idea of knitting for the kids just warms my heart!!

OK, it's a keeper...

well, not exactly, in that it will eventually be sent to CIC for the kids. But - at least I do like the finished product. Amazing what the blocking process does! I did re-do the neck, binding off with a much larger needle. I am sure the neck has plenty of stretch now.

My friend Shirley and I are thinking about doing this patten together, and making "color-block" sweaters. Sounds like a great idea to me! Should be fun - not to mention a great way of using up odd balls of wool.

The verdict is out on this one....

This is the worsted weight sweater that I am making for CIC. It is from a pattern booklet that I bought several years ago, yet have never used before.

I am just not sure I am happy with this sweater. My stitches seem so uneven in the SS section. What's with that?? The gauge is right on, 5st per inch, yet it seems so loose and floppy to me. Guess too many tightly knit socks, and firm bulky weights. I am probably just being too critical. Perhaps the blocking process will make my stitches better. Then - there is the neck. I think I am going to have to do it over. The ribbed neck and roll over are very stretchy, but I fear that the bind-off is not stretchy enough. Sigh...... I don't care for pink either. I will be glad when I am finished with this. I don't think it is the pattern's fault - I think it must be the knitter......

I will finish it, however, and it will be warm, uneven stitiches and all! And, hopefully, there will be a little girl that LIKES pink!!

On a much brighter note, you might notice the count-down that I have added above! How cool is that!!!

For Jennifer's kids....

Sofee wanted to be in the post today - she doesn't want to lose her fans. (She's tiny, but has a big ego.) Also, a big lazy streak! While I blog, this is what she does!! Not even big enough to keep me warm -- we keep wondering what she's good for??? Oh yes, our house is protected from squirells - as long as it's not too cold outside - or raining - or snowing!! She doesn't want to over-work herself....