Maybe in Minneapolis, but there are still snow up in Northern Minnesota. I believe Duluth received more than 50" of snow for the month of April! Last Friday, for the first time in 2013, our temp hit 60 degrees. On the same day, it also hit 70 degrees. On Sunday, it was 80 degrees! Not to worry, I can still wear my hand-knit socks this coming Thursday as the high will be 40 degrees!
As you recall, I finished my Mystery Shawl. As I looked at it, it reminded me of a slice of watermelon. Don't you think?
I had a lot of people asking me what they were? Where did I buy those buttons? How did I put them on? My answer? Photoshop!
Right after I finished the shawl, I decided it's high time I cast on a pair of socks. And so, I did. I decided on Cookie A's April club pattern (one of them) - the Tulip Socks. I'm also trying to use yarn I have in my stash and have not tried. This time, it's Sweet Fibers (from Vancouver, Canada) Cashmerino. I bought this when I was at Stitches West. The color is called Early Spring. But I think the color resembles a dark purple tulip! I finished the leg:
I'm going to cast on more Cookie A socks in May as she's one of the designated designers for the month on the SKA group. In addition, I need to stock up with more socks in progress so I can really do well with 2013 26 pair plunge. I was bad this year.. I've only finished 13 pairs so far... though I have until June 30, but it's not going to happen!
Then, I decided to cast on YET another shawl. This time, using my mini Bugga from the swaps I partcipate in. The pattern is Eden Prairie - one of the suburbs of Minneapolis. However, I wanted to really make a stained-glass look with multiple colors instead of the 3 that are called for in the pattern. I started with these colors:
Wait, I should show you what the finished shawl intended to look like:
See? Three colors and the black. Then, I decided to use another color - Violet-tailed Bluet. Unfortunately, I did not have enough of that color, so I added another black stripe to bring in another color. I'm now done with the stripe and am working on the opposite stripe in a coral pink. I'm calling this shawl my Amazing Technicolor Dream Shawl. I've started another stripe since this photo was taken, but I think I will take a photo after I finished the second diamond.
Also, I'm progressing on my Diamond Fantasy shawl. I'm now working on the last repeat of the lace pattern. But I think I have enough yarn that I will try to squeeze in another repeat or two.
I know it's going to be gorgeous when I block this! You can't really see the beads. That's the point! Maybe they will be more obvious when the shawl is blocked.
I forgot to show you this amazing Bugga I received recently. Magadascar Sunset Moth.
And finally, a project bag from Lululemon. You do not have to buy a pair of $90 Yoga pants to get this free project bag. I bought a $12 running hat (it was on clearance!). Also, when you knit with your project in this bag, people will look at you like you weigh 20 lbs lighter. I mean, if you shop at Lululemon, you work out, right? And you FEEL good carrying this bag - even if it's a pair of unfinished socks in the bag!
