2011 winter Mystery Shawl FINALLY finished!

I started this Mystery KAL from Goddess Knits with good intentions.  The original yarn I choose was a kettle dyed lace wight. I fought against the yarn; frogging endlessly. I couldn't get past clue 1. The yarn is dark blue, midnight. There is nothing wrong with it. I was very "green" as a lace knitter and struggled with working with lace weight yarn. One night I just gave up and headed to The Knitter's Edge in Bethlehem, PA. It was a Monday night and they weren't open; so I went to AC Moore. They had the Patons Lace I chose. I decided to do the optional beading as well and purchased inexpensive seed beads while I was there. Ok, I really was NOT thinking this through or I was too "green" to know what I was doing. First off, NEVER cheap out on the beads for a knitted or crocheted project. The shape, size and wholes are far from consistant. Frankly, half the beads didn't have wholes! UGH Nightmare! Second, think twice about beading Patons Lace, unless your beads are larger than what you would normally use for lace weight yarn. Well after hibernating the project frequently, I set out to finish it. I love the shawl.  It is far from perfect. I made mistakes along the way I was too inexperienced to notice at the time, but I love it.

I present Snowfall - Goddess Knits:

Enjoy!

Nancy

Romi 2015 Mysterious Shawl

The Mystery Knit-a-long began April 4. 

I used Color Me Stats Ranch fingering yarn purchased at Kraemer's Yarn Shop:

Clue 1 was finished 4/4/15:

Clue 2 was completed 4/19/15:

Clue 3 was completed 4/25/15:

Clue 4 was completed 4/29/15:

Clue 5 and the Shawl was finished 5/8/15. Blocked 5/9/15. So happy!

Happy knitting!

Nancy

Romi Mystery KAL 2015 - Clue 1

I have never knitted a shawl designed by Romi, but they are gorgeous. I decided to join this Mystery Kinit along (MKAL).  The original plan was to use yarn from my stash. Well as with all best laid plans it went by the wayside after a visit to Kraemer's Yarn Store! I found two beautiful hanks of Color Me Statts Ranch Fingering Yarn in two shades of green. The pattern called for two colors. I love green, but have no green shawls. Had to buy it for this MKAL. It is superfine merino and luxurious kid mohair, soft and wonderful to knit with. Clue 1 was release on Friday 4/3/15. I started and finished on Saturday.

I enjoyed working on Clue 1 and look forward to Clue 2! I had an issue with Chart B. After four tries I finally got it! I don't know why I had an issue, it wasn't difficult, but I couldn't get the "columns" that radiat out to line up. 

Enjoy!

Nancy

Finishes this week!

I was happy to finish one older WIP, one new project, and a skein of yarn! I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing a project, especially an older WIP!

The older WIP is my blanket with sleeves. The pattern is Winter Warmth in the booklet "Snuggle Up!"  I used Red Heart Super Saver. The dark color is actually Dark Teal, though it comes out more blue in the picture.

I finished "A Noble Cowl". This is an easy pattern and fun knit. It took a few nights to complete. The yarn is from A Hundred Ravens. The color is Here We Are Dragons. It is the softest merino wool I've worked with.

I finally plied the winter storm singles. I decided to try N-Plying (navajo or chain plying). It was the first time I tried this technique. I like it and it is easier than I thought. I ended up with 38 yds of a worsted or bulky yarn.  I will determine the weight once the twist has been set. 

I start spinning a fiber I purchased from Taylored Fibers. It is 50% SW Merino/50% Tencel. 

Fiber happiness! Enjoy!

Nancy

2010 Advent Scarf

No that is not a typo. I finally finished the 2010 Advent Scarf! During December I am usually too busy to participate in the KAL (Knit Along) for the Advent Scarf. I do collect the patterns (one day I may do 2011-2014 Advent Scarves). One common element of all Advent Scarves that are out there, they are very long scarves!! This one is roughly 7 feet, which is a common length. The  Advent Scarf I follow is out of Germany and is a Lace Advent Scarf. On Ravelry, it is the 24 Days of Christmas Group.

I started this scarf in the Winter of 2011. I have worked on it and put it aside often since then. It was finally finished this week!! I love it! Though it needs to be washed and blocked, I decided to share some pictures. I will be the first to admit there are some mistakes. Not all lace patterns were knitted perfectly, but it came out beautiful.

Happy Knitting!

Nancy D

Christmas 2014

Happy Holidays! We had a wonderful Christmas day. It was filled with family and friends. A number of the gifts we gave were knitted by me :)

Summerflies for Mom (Blue Heron Rayon metallic)

Myka Cowl for Mom (Wicked Fur)

Irish Mesh Infinity Scarf (100% cashmere) for Sana

Easy Slouch for Sana (Amazing)

Jo is now living in the South, so I had to send her gift. Sleeveheart (Kraemer's Tatamy Twead mill ends)

My Mother in-Law also received Sleeveheart (Silky Wool DK)

Audra was home for holidays. I made her a cable headband and 2 1/2 hour scarf (Kraemer's Perfection Lights and Chunky)

Beth and I are going to Vogue Knitting Live in NY. I paid for her trip for Christmas. But she had to have something to open, so I made her the Band of Butterflies Beret (Expression Fiber Arts Silk Worsted)

I am still working on Michael's Vikings blanket. I will post when it is done!

Happy Holidays!

Nancy