I just realized that I was going to post last Sunday and I forgot all about it. My son was home from college for Spring Break so our weekend was a bit thrown off. Next week, my husband, who is a high school teacher, and my daughter, will be on their Spring Break. And I, will be at work! I wanted to show you my works in progress.
So I was knitting the Color Affection shawl... Last Saturday morning, this was where I was at:
On Monday morning, I was working on the edging:
On Wednesday night, I blocked the shawl:
It is 84" x 22". Tomorrow, I'll do a photoshoot. I think it's going to be a nice day tomorrow.
On the sock front, I finished the first Firestarter sock:
It's been a while since I had knitted a toe-up sock. But that Yarnissima just knows how to design well-fitting socks. The twisted rib is hard on my arm (yes, my whole right arm aches when I knit too much twisted rib). I'm now working on the gusset of the second sock. When I knit toe-up socks, they seem to go so fast on the foot but once the heel flap is done, it seems to take twice as long to knit the leg! This sock will count towards my goal of using variegated yarn!
I'm also doing some test knitting for a friend. This sock has a gauge of 9 stitches per inch, which is a problem for me as I like to knit with 2.5mm needles, and thicker yarn. I tried to use a new yarn that I've not knitted before - Purple Label Tanis Fiber Arts - but it was too big. So, I wound up the yarn Pinky/Jennifer sent me for my birthday, the Sockkusu and I re-knit with 2.25mm.. It's fitting like a glove. Again, it's got a bunch of twisted rib, but it's worth it! I will not be showing you that sock until a couple of months from now.
The goal now is to finish the Firestarter socks and then, I'm going to design a pair of socks in April. It's been almost 2 years since I tried to come up with my own pattern (I never wrote up the second pattern because while I was knitting it that June, I found the same pattern a Sock book that was published that summer). Kendra from Tokyo had brought me 4 Japanese stitch pattern books. I need to find something there for my new design. Anyway, so for March, I hope to finish Sock #4 and Shawl #3.
Which brings me to the title of today's blog entry. Who is Susan? What is Susan's fault? Well, this is Susan from Buffalo. We chat with each other on Ravelry almost every day for the past few months. To some degree, we enable each other like Jennifer and I do, but Susan is a lot more strong-willed. It is March and she has not bought any yarn (OK - she did HAVE TO buy yarn because she ran out for a project, and she paid for clubs last year so she's getting new yarn now). Anyway, she sends me links to shawl patterns. Most time, I can resist them... But my new shawl is still wet on the blocking boards and she had to tempt me with this pattern! It is called Cameo. Here's some photos snagged from the designer's pattern page:
And so, I spent an hour looking for yarn for this shawl - and I did not go through all my sock yarn - I was only going through my Hazel Knits yarn because the HK group is hosting a KAL for any projects with stripes. Since I had committed to knitting Color Affection with Bugga, I felt this is the opportunity to show my loyalty to the HK group. Anyway, I couldn't find 2 colors that I felt would work for this shawl - I wanted a shawl with subtle coloring and it has to have a lighter color at the bottom for the lace. I put a few groupings out and then, I slept on it (no, I didn't sleep on the yarn!). This morning, I looked at them, and threw them all back in the bins. Went downstairs, had my cereal. Came upstairs, and started the color selection again. I finally came up with something that I would be in the mood to knit in. I was even tempted to buy the colors I don't have, but I really was being good and told myself I had to knit from stash! So stay tune as I will cast on this shawl this weekend.
So, because of Susan, I wasted time looking at yarn. I may not finish Sock #4, nor the test knit I'm supposed to finish by April 1 (just 1 sock!!). Thanks, Susan!!!!!!!
Speaking of 1 sock... these are my singles that I'm willing to knit the mates for. I may save this for the August SKA challenge to see who can finish more "pairs" of socks... I wonder how many pairs Denise has put aside...
Off to knit!
ha! Denise has not yet set aside any for august :p. Instead, she's trying to be "good" and knit pairs. Though, she's not very good at being good!
As always, your shawl knitting is exquisite, your stash is to die for, and your firestarter looks awesome =)
Posted by: gray la gran | March 23, 2012 at 09:03 PM
Tell us how you really feel about twisted stitches. My arms hurt from a serious amount of cabling. The color affection shawl is beautiful.
Posted by: ChristyH | March 24, 2012 at 07:07 AM
You are a grown woman with freedom of choice. I'm just being a good friend when I point out these patterns that I think you would like. Just be happy that I don't send you links for new yarn.
Posted by: Susan from Buffalo (not my fault) | March 24, 2012 at 01:05 PM
Your color affection shawl is beautiful! That's a really nice selection of colors you put together.
Firestarter looks great! I've had that in my queue too for what seems like forever. Your pictures last week inspired me to finally cast it on too. I started it yesterday :-)
Enjoy the weekend!
Posted by: Dianne | March 24, 2012 at 01:17 PM
The Color Affection shawl is 84"??? Wow. That's why I'll never do shawls -- to much commitment. It's beautiful.
I love the Firestarter. I think I have the pattern; I will put it in my queue.
I'm glad Susan is strong-willed. Someone has to be strong in the face of your enabling!
I love that yellow sock -- what is it?
Posted by: Pinky who has 11 single socks to finish | March 24, 2012 at 06:45 PM