Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Ishbel

Ooooh... how I loved this knit! It was one of the fastest shawls evah! Actually, I started it over the summer during swimming lessons, then put it aside until I picked it up and finished in a couple of days last week... but really, I feel like I hardly spent any time knitting it.

Ishbel

I made the smaller size because I really wanted a nice little scarf to wear with a certain brown jacket I have. I must say, I'm becoming quite addicted to these smaller triangular scarf-size shawls. I seem to finish them long before I get bored which is always a good thing.

Ishbel

The yarn... ooooh, I wish I could remember the yarn... to the best of my recollection, it is Yarntini sock yarn so we'll go with that, and I'll add it's a very interesting yarn. It is a wee bit nubby (for lack of a better word) with slight variations of color and little splashes of pinks that make for a more, well, rustic or casual knit than many yarns. And I love it!

Ishbel

Ishbel

Ishbel

Ishbel by Ysolda Teague

Ishbel

Monday, September 14, 2009

Blogging while Teaching

The finished knits are actually starting to stack up so I finally grabbed my husband for a few pictures yesterday. I am presently attempting to coax my youngest through a phonics lesson explaining as we go that I'm not the one who needs to learn to read so it is useless for me to read the sentences in his workbook for him. I'm not sure if we'll ever move past short vowels at this rate.

While I torture him with a page of his workbook, I thought I'd put up a few pictures of the Aspen Leaf Shawl that I finished a week or so ago.

Aspen Leaf Scarf

I knit this with a wonderful hand painted cotton from Araucania called Lonco. It's fingering weight... and it didn't take me long to reconsider the sanity factor of knitting 400+ yards of lace with slippery cotton but fortunately the pattern was enjoyable and it knit up quickly once I got the feel for it.

Aspen Leaf Scarf

Although 2 hanks of yarn were used for the scarf/shawl that I originally saw in the store, I decided that I was done one would suffice and finished it up with less than a yard of the first hank left over. The result was a scarf 13" x 66" which seems just right to me.

Aspen Leaf Scarf
(Goofy husband face)

Sneak peeks...

ClothildeIshbel

Sunday, September 06, 2009

Happy Labor Day... and Knitting

I am thoroughly enjoying all of your responses to my last post! I can relate to so many of your reasons and I think that's what I love so much about knitting... the variety! From dishclothes to sweaters or stockinette to lace there is a project to suit just about any of my many moods. I've never stuck with a hobby so long before and I'm certain it's this variety of options, fibers, and techniques that has kept me enthralled. Add in the productivity factor and, well, it's really the perfect craft! I guess my frequent frustration over just *what* to knit, is actually what makes me love it so much.

Anyhoo... I have amazed myself by finishing the Aspen Leaf Scarf. (More photos and details later.)

Aspen Leaf Scarf

And, thanks to Maria, have found the perfect pattern for my luscious new Hand Maiden yarn.

Clothilde

Clothilde by Knitting Kninja

Clothilde

Happy Labor Day friends!