Deeply Consumed...

...in and Easter morning knitting moment. I don't think anyone moved from their spots for several hours, except to heat the kettle again for more tea.

Beach Trip 2007

The weather was quite variable. Raining and blowing like crazy and then moments of bright sunshine. Sleeping, eating and of course, knitting. What else it there? Friends.

The Dying Scarf

Imagine my amusement this morning as I got this in my email box. This was the off-white scarf that I knit for KnitPicks that they DYED! I had no idea. They are a company of little communication, which is generally just fine for me...

The only thing is that it seems to have perhaps taken the lovely sheen off the yarn, but then again, it could just be the photo.

Spanish Christening Shawl

This is a design by Cheryl Oberle from her Folk Shawls book. I knit it in Elann's Devon, sportweight superwash wool in Mineral Green. I finally get to post this because I gave it to Gaby at her baby shower yesterday. I had about an hour to spare in finishing it. Yah!!!

This is my first lace shawl, and I'm sure it won't be my last, but I found the most tedious part to be the picking up of stitches at the edge for knitting on the lace edging. When this was done I then knitted a couple of rows and then the stitches were put on waste yarn.

Linden Green

This is without a doubt a favorite color of mine, found in nature. It reminds me of the tubes of guache used to paint out design repeats when I was doing surface textile design.

Finally! The socks are in the catalogue!

I just got the KnitPicks catalogue in my mail today and those socks that were so much blood, sweat and more sweat were finally pictured. I guess this means that there is a 3 month or so lag and that my next projects will be coming up in the next two issues. I'm happy with the definition of the picture, even if you can't see the lace back...

A Moment of Sun

I was knitting on my daybed when I saw this rainbow above my head from the hanging crystal in the window. I don't mind the rain, but this was what I love most. Color.

Knitting in Sydney

This was taken two years ago at Bronte Beach and it's such a great memory. I was waiting for breakfast to be served and this cafe was right on the beach. I'd love to transport myself there right now...(although I don't remember the service being very good.) 

Cotton Linen Lace Shell

I now know where this pattern is from, it's the book Silk Knits by Elaine Eskesen. It's my latest project from KnitPicks using their yarn, Cotlin in Turquoise. I'm taking this picture at night because I need to get this in the mail, but it is a bright Turquoise. The design is kind of interesting the way it adds extra detail of eyelets in the center area. The large eyelets are created by knitting 4 together. Something not so easily done with such an inflexible yarn. I have my ways, though.

I knit this in exactly a week. A new record for me. Now back to pleasure knitting...

Top Detail

 

Intermittant Kitten Photo

The resident sexpot kitten wanted to know why her presence on the blog was so weak and I gave in. Aparently she's still interested in a modeling contract even though I've warned her of the evil ways of the fashion industry. She just needs the attention, I guess.

Enough of the yarn, she says! Look at me! Look at my HUGE paws and long luxurious fur! Brush me, damn it! 

Mossy Glovelettes

The yarn is from Fearless Fibers. The pattern was for a pair of socks, but I liked the texture so much, I wanted them closer to my field of vision, thus, on the hands. Almost done with the second one as well. 

Candleflame Scarf

This is a knitpicks test knitter job just completed. It's based on their shawl, but knit with a heavier weight yarn and narrower in dimensions.

Last Years Socks Completed

Most folks know how fast I knit socks. For some reason, the stitches kept slipping off the needles when I was commuting to work last year, so these never got finished. Until the other morning when I completed the toe on the second sock and put them right now and wore them to work! Yah! 

First Snow Day of the Year

I've just woken up to this snow. It wasn't the normal din of traffic outside my window that woke me but the utter silence. No shovels scraping, no sliding cars (as yet). Just a few inches of snow and this place called Portland (not Maine) just stops.

I'm happy for the quiet and the white and the fact that it makes me take this pictures and write before I even have my first cup of tea.

Happy Winter. 

Scarf, Cetlic Lace

This is the from a Susan Oldham pattern in the Best of Knitters book, Scarves and Shawls. The first half of this really long scarf if done and now I'm working on the second half. Frogging has been done. The edging is unusual to me and is supposed to keep it from curling, but not so successully. The ends of the scarf have big tassles and the hat is a cute toque with a tassle as well. Although there are mittens, I don't think I'll make those.

I'm knitting this in Cascade 220 in one of the heathered shades that I just love! 

New Knit Year

I have knitted less in the last week or two that I have all year. Not burnout exactly, but forces beyond my control are taking away some of my brain cells. Using them for other purposes are just trashing them altogether. Not quite sure yet. Very little ability to focus, so the things I am working on are getting frogged with great frequency. Hmmmm. WhatEVER! So, then. My knitting resolutions are just important as my life resolutions (I think there's a difference): 1.Frog or tink early in the game. 2. Don't wait and see if you can work it out in the next row. This has not worked. 3. Buy yarn in colors that you really love and don't attempt to change your color personality this year. 4. Try to not grab the needles out of E.M's hands when she's making a mistake and asks for help. 5. Re-consider my desire to teach the world to knit. 6.And, as always, use up more of my existing stash.

Crocheted Doll

I haven't crocheted in years, but I made this doll for Nana. The pattern ended up being just a jumping off point (as usual) but I really had fun with it. 

Cat Pillow

This is the top of the pillow that I gave to Elizabeth for Christmas today. I had working on something in intarsia (not may fave technique). Now that the gifts are give, I can put them up my my blog! 

Red Yarn

I couldn't leave my top post to be in black and white, so here is some fabulous red. Close, futher, futher, leaving now...

This again is from a shawl I was knitting in several earthy colors and then just decided to frog it for the realization that it was too boring to knit and I'd never wear it. This baby is now free! A new life ahead of it, so to speak.

www.handpaintedyarn.com