Finished!!!

I finshed my mom's shawl although I had to leave off one repeat and I couldn't quite figure out the bind off so I did a stretchy bind off. I gave it to her for her birthday. She just loves it.

I can work again on Queen Anne's Lace now and am almost done with chart 2. Will be taking another pic then. I am in the process of designing another bookmark for the monthly contest at Monthly Threads KAL-CAL.

I just couldn't pass a sale on baby alpaca lace weight at WEBS an it still looks like they have some left.

Our LYS had their 4th anniversary May 29th with Bev Galaskas and her book "Felted Knits". It was a great time and bought more lace weight along with a cute little kit to make a knitted hedgehog (purple of course).

I need to cut back on my swaps since I didn't realize that I had signed up for three now. No more swaps for a while anyway after these.

In other news: I applied for a loan to buy a mobile home in the park that my mom lives in. Will have to go in to the bank to find out if I was approved and if not there is one other route that can be taken. We'll see

Where did the time go????

I can't believe how time flies and how long it's actually been since I posted anything here. Catching up on the ICU (infestation control unit). The doors are hung but ended up being warped so hubby thought that we should get thicker wood for the doors. He says that at the rate that I'm collecting yarn that he'll have to build two more at least (he's right but I don't want to give in that easily). I'm at work so can't post any pics right now. I've been busy knitting newborn caps for a contest at the Peaches & Creme group on Ravelry, as well as a good cause.
I've started a circular shawl by MMario named Queen Anne's Lace (QAL). So far since I switched from steel needles to bamboo it's coming along much better (less slippage of stitches). I need to start on ornaments for coworkers and family (my traditional gift).

Happy Thanksgiving,
Julie

Shawl Picture Update

I finally took an updated picture of my progress on the Faux Spanish Lace. I have two more skeins to knit plus what is left of the current skein. I'm thinking of giving this to my mom for Christmas.

I'm finally working on my original bookmark after designing it for a contest at the Peaches & Creme Ravelry group. The Christmas ornament is an idea that I want to try but wanted to start on the bookmark first. I just finished another dishcloth pattern by Maile Mauch called Embrace Ensemble. I called mine Fairy Tale Embrace Cloth in honor of the color that I used.

On another note: tonight is the night for the change over at work. Work non stop to roll over the computers to the next day so that the new system can be installed and ready for the morning. I actually can't wait to have the new system in.

Infestation Control Unit

We went out Friday to finish buying the materials for my cabinet (hubby affectionately calls it the infestation control unit). It's coming along nicely. The shelves are in. Still need to make the bins and attach doors. I had an idea to put a peg board on each door to hold stitch markers, needles and other stuff like that.
My shawl is still behaving itself. I have the design for the most part done for a bookmark original design at Peaches & Creme group on Ravelry. There is a contest being held for prizes as well as a chance to have your bookmark featured on the Pisgah website. Also one for a Christmas ornament but doesn't have to be an original design. Prizes awarded in different categories. I have an idea for an ornament just need to knit a swatch to see how it will end up. I've started on another one of Maile's cloth patterns called Embrace Ensemble. I decided to call mine Fairy Tale Embrace for the color of Peaches & Creme yarn that I'm using.
Finished with training as of Thursday. We will begin to use the new system Tuesday morning at work. Monday night will be lots of fun since we will have to get everything done on the old system as quickly as possible to set up the new system. Hopefully most everyone will be done with their work by 9 pm so that we can get our night's work done in about 3 hours. Wants to have it set up b y no later than 12:45 am. They're shutting down the restaurant after the lunch crowd and the bar will be closing at 8 pm, so everything should go smoothly.

Naughty Shawl

I didn't realize that shawls or at least in this case, the Faux Spanish Lace shawl would pout if not given enough attention or be very troublesome. I've been neglecting it for other projects. Then when I would pick up the shawl to knit it I would end up tinking back several rows. In other words I would spend most of my time unraveling to find my mistake. I was thinking of writing it here and now the shawl is behaving so far.
I've started a new project for a co worker's sister. It was supposed to be his but I couldn't resist using eyelash yarn with other yarn. I finished my bookmark today and have blocked it. Just waiting for it to dry then can take a picture of it in the morning. Not sure that it's original since I used a pattern stitch from Harmony Guides: Lace and Eyelets.
The cabinet is on hold until Friday when I can purchase the rest of the materials needed. Thinking that I need to take a picture of it in progress.

Catch Up!!

On Friday I get to acquire the materials to build the infestation controller. I've decided to have a set of bins at the bottom and another set at the top with shelves in between for books. We'll find out how well that will work (pics when built).

I just had to get some lace weight yarn for my next shawl even though I probably won't get to it until fall. I''ll be knitting Queen Anne's Lace shawl by MMario next (first circular shawl). The Faux Spanish Lace is coming along nicely but I begin to wonder if I bought enough yarn to finish it (700 yds). I will knit it till all the yarn is gone if it's not enough and call it finished.

Market bag has a few more inches to go before I start on the handles.

I just finished a bookmark by Brileyknits named Flowering Vine. I enjoyed knitting this pattern.

For a moment there I thought that I had lost my whole post. Went to my list of posts and there it was. What a relief!!!!!

Behavior Modification

My wip's are now behaving themselves and are a joy to knit. I did restart the bookmark with longer needles and is working very well. I actually don't think there was a problem with the shawl other than the one in my head. On the third try I managed to keep the market bag from twisting when I joined it in the round.

This is our largest event of the year this weekend. Hydro plane races today and tomorrow. I haven't been to see them in the park since I was a teenager (as my son puts back in the dark ages). There is also an Art Show in the Park. Hubby and I went yesterday afternoon (hot!!!!). I was so glad to see my favorite artist there, Markus Willis. There were a lot of other artists there as well with jewelry, nature photos of all types, metalcraft, sewing, porcelain ornaments, and others.

Unruly WIP's

For some reason today all my wip's and projects that I started today just weren't going to cooperate at all. First of all my lace shawl's stitch count didn't come out right or at least in my mind it didn't. I think that the problem was remembering the repeat and that it didn't start with an even number of stitches because there is a +1 at the beginning then the repeat which includes that in it after that.
Next I tried to start a bookmark that is a KAL in Monthly Bookmarks. I couldn't seem to get past row 5 without dropping stitches. I'm going to need a longer needle to accomodate the cable needle. The other end of the circular seemed to pop out of the stitches when I used the cable needle. I haven't started the bookmark again.
The second project that I started today is a market bag from Peaches and Creme. I bought the kit. Anyway I was having problems after I joined in the round. I thought that I had checked to make sure that it wasn't twisted but it was twice. After pulling it all out to start the third time it behaved for me. One more row then I can start on the pattern rows.
I was beginning to think that I should have a knit free day but was determined to get them to behave.
On a better note: I did receive my package from my secret exchange partner yesterday (Monthly Bookmarks). She sent to me a purple dishcloth with flip flops on it, a variegated blue lacy bookmark, sticky notes in the shape of a J, 2 candles, magnetic clip, some sock yarn, and a round lacy dishcloth in yellow. I love all the goodies that Toni sent.
I'll be taking a picture of the progress of my lace shawl tomorrow.
The cabinet is still in the planning stages so I plan on changing the configuration of the shelves and bins a little bit. Shelves in the middle with one set of bins on the bottom and the other set on top (both made of wood) so hopefully that will balance the book better. Hubby is planning on reinforcing the back so the cabinet won't tip over.

Progress of a Knitted Lace Shawl

I did start my shawl yesterday and have a progress picture of it.

I really like how this pattern is turning out so far. Pattern is Faux Spanish Lace by MMario. I'm knitting with Berroco Softwist in a teal color on needle size 5.5 mm (or 9 US) 24' circular. His yahoo group is here. I have to say that his shawls are really gorgeous.
My hubby actually picked out the color of the yarn since I couldn't decide (so many choices!!!)

Infestation Control

My hubby can be so funny sometimes. He tells me that my yarn habit is infesting the house. I told him it isn't in every room. His comeback is to tell me not yet. So I had him design me a cabinet to store my yarn, books, needles and other stuff in. Of course, I put my two cents worth in while he was designing it since he asked my opinion. What he came up with is a cabinet that is 60" tall x 36" wide x 15" deep. It will have doors on it. Inside will be two rows of 3 bins each (all made of wood) to put yarn in, finished projects, and whatever else will fit. Above that will be two shelves for books. I think I threw a monkey wrench in his plans when I thought maybe it would be a good idea to put something like a fold down shelf that I would be able to attach the ball winder and swift to when I need to wind yarn and then be able to put it away after. Not sure how that is progressing since I haven't asked yet. It will control my infestatin problem for a little while anyway. Can't get the materials until next month (bills need to be paid). It's something to keep hubby busy for a while and he does like to work with wood. Will take pictures of it when it's done and after I've put everything in it.

I'm procrastinating on the socks, but I did start a simple lace shawl today (pics in a few days of it's progression). Just finished my first bobble pattern. Once I started they were pretty easy actually (don't know why I thought they would be difficult).