OTN: Branching Out scarf for DD. http://www.knitty.com/issuespring05/PATTbranchingout.html

For MIL's socks, I'm pretty sure I used DGB 'Confetti' selfpatterning sock yarn on the cuffs and toes, but I can't find the ball band for the colourway #. It may be that the band was missing as it was the last ball at Birkeland Bros.

The quilt was also a birthday gift I made for her a few years ago.

I finished these 'Stitches of Violet' last Saturday for MIL's birthday, (2 days late.)

Changes I made;

- used a 3/1 rib instead of 7/1

- didn't use the patterned yarn for the heel

These socks were knit one at a time because I had only one ball of each yarn. My tension on the second cuff was quite a bit tighter, but still will go over MIL's instep.

Finally blocked FF&L for Mom.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/frostflowersandleaves/

- 72" wide, across the top
- 42" center back, from top to bottom point
- 54" side edges



I used Mom's stash of straight needles and some T-pins to block the shawl, worked better than circulars for the straight edges.









Mom's socks finally done, 5 days late for Mother's Day.

Stitches of Violet Old Shale Two Yarn Sock Pattern

Kroy self patterning and grey Scheepjes

2.25mm, 100cm Inox circulars, Magic Loop, combined method

Test blocking

Another photo of test/blocking. I starched just one end of the border/edging.





The next day: the edge still lays flat and the fabric is quite crisp from starching, (even with handling/scrunching.) Blocked larger than suggested final gauge, so will try blocking to gauge next time to see if edge still lays flat.

SLS test block (Shetland Lace Shawl)

So far, so good. The 'lengthened' diagonal edge lays flat. Will see if it stays flat after relaxing a few days without being stretched to the max. Starched with potato starch.

I'm using the Magic Loop technique to knit 2 socks at the same time on the same 100cm length needle. So cool!

The 2 balls of yarn are in separate plastic bags inside the small shopping bag. I've threaded the yarn, 1 through each handle of the paper shopping bag, to keep the tangles to a minimum.

Hope the 'lengthened' edge eases in when the FO is blocked. I have my doubts. (Sponge Bob's laughing at my efforts.)

Yay!!!! Spring is finally here. (Actually, the blue scillas were out last week.) However, the dandelions are making a comeback in a big way, so I was out painting them with weed killer earlier today.

A Big Swatch

- using a needlepoint chart and PW's method, (Philosopher's Wool ,)

- the knitted 'plate' is not round, too short.

-final gauges all different;

2 strands - 5.25 sts/in : 5.5 rows/in

3 strands - 5 sts/in : 5.5 rows/in (bumpier texture)

After many false starts over several days on this edging I'm well onto the border that I started yesterday. Hope all the ease, ('lengthened' sides,) will be taken up when the FO is blocked.

I'm going to try and make this a more rectangular shawl vs the square one in the book, (thinking it will be more wearable as a stole, will see.)

FF&L, also from a GOL, but a smaller version. Finally learned blocking on this FO.

Shetland Lace Shawl - picking up stitches for border.

Today

Feb 22, '06

Jan 1, '06









... my first felted purse from July '05

... can't wait for spring

lupins & aubretia crocus

A compilation of patterns; the shape of this drawstring purse is copied from my leather purse that's falling apart, hence, the motivation to make this; the red rose design is from a sweater pattern in an old back issue of Vogue magazine and the leaf design is from the pattern October Leaves Throw and Bolster in Sasha Kagan's book, Country Inspirations.

Dec 05 - Jan 06

Sept 21, 2005

- no pattern for the purse, (circular base, tapered sides, see above,) however credit to Sasha Kagan for her October Leaves designs in Country Inspiration and to Mary Jane Protus for her #3 Roses and Checkerboards design in Vogue Knitting Winter Special 1990-91.

Sept. 25, 2005

April 2004 - birthday gift for a friend, Knitter's Magazine 63 Summer 2001.

eta link info and XRX publication, The Great American Aran Afghan.