Knitting Update with a Twist

I've been ignoring my Queen Anne's Lace shawl to finish mom's Frost Flowers Scarf. I'm about 60% done with it. I have about 2 2/3 repeats to do to finish. I don't have a new picture of the scarf''s progress.

I'm on row 60 of the Triangle Lace Shawl for her birthday. The pattern is in Knit.1 Magazine Fall/Winter 2008 issue. It's been an adventure reading the chart and adding beads. I've kind of been avoiding charts but I can't on this one so am muddling through. Thankfully this shawl has a center spine so it's pretty easy to figure out the chart. I think when I blocked the shawl for this picture that the circular cable has a lot to do with the shape of it.

I've received Kim's Friendship scarf and finished knitting my portion and have sent it on to Diana to add to it. I added deep purple and fiesta ombre to her scarf. I can't wait for the next one to arrive.

I've also been busy making stitch markers for my swap partners. I've finally caught up with them. I have one more set to make now using different shades of blue.

I've started to learn to crochet and have made coasters to put in some of the stitch marker packages as a plus.

In other news: My son is home for about 3 weeks before going back to California and the marines. It's great to have him home. I have this week off to spend time with him.

Mom's Surprises

I'm updating on the scarf for my mom with a picture. I've been steadily knitting on it and am a little bit more than halfway done.
I did start on her shawl for her birthday at work but I forgot the crochet hook so couldn't do any rows beyond 15. I haven't knitted anymore of it yet. My Queen Anne's Lace is coming along nicely. I have about 16 more rows to knit before finishing chart 2.
I have started learning to crochet. I found this great book that has very clear instructions. I tried crocheting right handed (I'm a lefty). I couldn't get my hands coordinated enough to pull the yarn through the loop on the hook. This book also has instructions fro lefty's, so I'm using them. When I'm further along in my crocheting it sounds like I will need to reverse rows so that it will look like the picture, but that's for later. The book also has projects in it that can be done after learning a few basic stitches. The book is by Leisure Arts and is called 10 20 30 Minutes to Learn to Crochet. the project that I'm doing right now is a dishcloth that uses single crochet and half double crochet stitches. When it's finished I will post a picture.
In other news: I still haven't heard from my son yet as to when he will be arriving home (hopefully soon). I'm taking a short trip with my mom today to Prosser to buy some Chukkar Cherry products to send to my swap partners for Valentine's Day (stitch markers). Mom said there were a few places that she wanted to visit as well.