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Hi there! I'm back from my trip, but I've not landed mentally yet! Talk to you soon! :o)

Raspberry Rhapsody Scarf

the color in this picture is way off

This will be the last FO to show you before my trip. It's called Raspberry Rhapsody scarf by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer and it's REAL lace! You don't get to relax on the wrong sides, but have to do patterning as well. I adore this little scarf! There will be another one in the future.

the color in this picture comes close to the true color

It's on the short side, but it will have to do, since I only had 3 balls of the yarn. I made it for my godmother, who I will see back home. I haven't seen her in years, and years, so I'm looking forward to it. I hope she likes the color, I don't have a clue what her favorite colores are.

This pattern can be found in the book "The Knitter's Book of Yarn" by Clara Parkes. It has 40 patterns in it, and this is the third pattern I've knit from it. And there are still more I want to do. This book is definitely worth its money.

specs:
pattern: Raspberry Rhapsody scarf by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer
yarn: elann Baby Cashmere, 60% Baby Alpaca, 30% merino wool, 10% Cashmere, 3 balls ~ 327yds
needles: 4mm (used my KP Harmony straights)
size after blocking: 11" x 50"
start-finish: Oct. 04-10

Since it's written instructions I made myself a sheet with the main body instructions, giving every row a different color and printed out in landscape format, so the instructions could stand in one row for each row. Yes, I need aids like that sometimes, it made it a much more relaxed and fun knit. The pattern is very well written and I especially like the built in border, so clever!

I noticed that one of the pictures of this scarf in the book was taken around the same time of year in a similar setting as my first picture.

Now, I still have to finish my Terttu shawl II. I underestimated knitting a triangular shawl again. The rows are getting long and longer. I'm hoping to finish it by tomorrow, and after a bath and a stretch it should be dry by Tuesday. After that I'm done and ready to go.

I will have to knit the TTL Mystery Socks when I get back. I'm itching for sock knitting real bad.

Preparations ...

No meme needed to share something about me. I hate to go to the hairdresser. O.K. I shouldn't say "hate", it's a too strong a word, but I dislike it profoundly. The last time I went was two years ago. I have long, straight hair, which needs to be colored and occasionally cut. I did that myself, because I could not bare the thought of wasting two hours of my time, and a lot of money at the hairdresser's.

Well, today I went, made an appointment even for it last week. My needs are pretty much straight forward. Two employees, two customers. Should not take too long, right?

The goo was smeared on, I almost dozed off, would have, but the music was so annoying. Without my glasses on, I'm almost blind as a bat. Didn't want to sit with a magazine right in front of my nose, so I was contemplating my life. I got a little nervous, when the alarm went off, and nobody came to wash out the color. While I was waiting, there were other customers to be taken care off.

Anyway, finally I got a wash, and I told her how much she was allowed to take off. Layers in front? Don't touch that!
In the past, I once ran off with wet hair, because I could not take it anymore. After two years, I thought I should be more grown up and wait it out. I did NOT want her to style my hair, just blow dry it, for gods sake! I was tempted to grab the damn thing and do it myself, but hey, I'm almost 44, I can be patient. She burned my skin, and after I winced several times, and TOLD her it was too hot, she put me under that funny thing, where you go, when you got rollers in your hair.
At first it was fine, and immediately my eyes started to fall shut, almost dozed off again, until suddenly it got hot again, and after a second of panic, I finally figured out how to get that thing off my head. I got up, and declared, that I'm done (stick a fork in me).

I went to the counter, got my wallet out, the hairdresser came around and reached for the cover, still tangling from my neck (she was a head shorter than me, but I did not bend my knees). I paid and left. Time spent there - 1 hour and 53 minutes. See you in two years.

Relatives and friends! See what I go through for you? ;o)

Decisions

I had to make some tough decisions lately. One, which was easy compared to the other decisions was to frog my Noro 10-stitch blanket! That's right. I love this colorway so much, that I decided to use the yarn for a cardigan for myself. Last night, I ripped. It was almost heart breaking, because this was already lap sized, so cozy, soft and warm, and I wish I could have both. My son asked open mouthed, whether it didn't feel weird to undo so many hours of knitting in such a short time. No, it didn't. I don't think it ever bothered me to frog knitting, after I've decided to do so. I think it's great, that you can do that, if you change your mind.
But don't ask me what cardigan I'll be knitting. I don't know yet, and it will definitely be after my trip to Austria, which is upcoming next week.

On Ravelry I saw some Old Shale Lace Shawls by Evelyn A. Clark, from the Spin Off magazine 2008. There was one I liked a lot, it was the yarn, which made me take notice. I was very disappointed at first, when I saw the shawl in the magazine, so boring, and I would have never knit it just from the pictures in the magazine. But as you can see, I did. I used Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn, one ball only. It's a shawlette rather, but this way it has more chances of being worn as a scarf. I love it! I made a crochet picot bind off, because I liked it. The picot instructions for a knit bind off, sounded like a PIA to me, so I grabbed a hook instead.

specs:
pattern: Old Shale Lace Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark, Spin Off magazine Summer 2008
yarn: Noro Silk Garden Sock, color # 252 S, one ball, had a tiny bit left over yarn
needle: 4.5mm
size after blocking: 24" x 46"
start-finish: Sept. 27 -30

This shawl was fun to knit, I enjoyed it from the very first to the very last stitch. There will be more of this kind.

Phoenix mittens!

Happy Thanksgiving to all you Canadians! and (happy Columbus Day to you folks in the US)!

edited: October 14th: A very attentive and critical reader of my blog made me aware of what Columbus Day and it's controversy is all about. Ignorance is never an excuse. And I'm always happy to learn new things. Even if only meaning well, one can step on someone else's feet. I'm not deleting it, so you know what I'm talking about.


I have other, older stuff to show you, but I finished these mittens last night. I call them Phoenix mittens, after the name of the fiber.

I made some basic mittens, no pattern, just of the top of my head. I cast on 54 stitches and knit them on 2.75mm needles. They turned out a little wide around the palm, so I decreased to 50 stitches after I separated for the thumb.

They looked boring to me, so I decided to embroider them a little bit. I'm not good at this, and I don't enjoy it. A million ends to weave in, urgh! They are O.K. but I'm not thrilled. Love the strong colores though. I had lots of left over yarn for at least a pair of baby booties, if I wanted to make some. Not that I do.

Just short and sweet today. Need to enjoy the lovely weather. Sam's limping along fine, enjoying life, Biko is up to no good as always, if left to her own device. No gobble-gobble for us, just plain old chicken.

Aran Island mittens x 2

Hey, thanks for your tips for travel knitting. I think I'll go with lace, since I knit my socks on 5 double point needles, I don't think that would be a good choice. I have several things in mind already. But here are some finished projects:

The first try to knit those mittens failed, due to me not being able to read through the instructions carefully. I used too thick yarn and too large needles. The second and third try turned out O.K. Still, these mittens are huge, even with the right needle size, and stretchy, and I LOVE them! The green ones, are for me, of course. The red ones are for Hannah.


green Aran Island mittens:

yarn: Debbie Bliss DK merino
needles: 3.25mm, DP
pattern: from the book "Folk Mittens" by Marcia Lewandowski
start-finish: Sept. 09 - 11
modifications. I did a (k3,p1) on the palm side, to hold it a little together. I also didn't like the reverse stockinette look of the thumb, so I made it just stockinette stitch and I like it very much. I LOVE the green color!
This pattern is easy to knit, and memorize, that's why I did a second pair right away, and would do another one, it's that much fun!
I made some minor mistakes, but nothing major.

red Aran Island mittens:
yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca light, color # 4281, 1 1/2 skeins, 50g = 14yds, 50% alpaca, 50% peruvian wool
needles: 3.25mm
pattern: same as above
start-finish: Sept. 23-26 (O.K. so I knit something else in between the two pairs)

You can clearly see, that the fuzzy alpaca yarn does not show the cables as crisp as the 100% merino yarn does. Still, I like the heathered look of the red, and they are so soft and warm.
I made the same mods as with the green ones, but fewer mistakes. And - I found a different way to make the bobbles, which I liked better, and they are rounder, but smaller.


This happens, when you have headphones on and ignore the asking stare of your puppy. Biko snuck up on the bed, which both of them are not allowed to do without permission (usually they walk up to the couch or bed, turn to look at whoever is in the room and wait for the word "up"). But she's so cute, so she's forgiven. That was before I turned on the heat. I think she was cold, since she was swimming for the last time this year. Now she's fine in her own bed, heat is on, but on low. Might turn it off again, since it's supposed to get warmer towards the weekend. We'll see.

Little Sky

I was hopping into my LYS Serenity Knits the other day, it was last Friday, to be exact, not that it matters. I can hear my son say, "Get there faster!", which is a private joke, one you might understand, if you watched "Friends" as much as we did. It's a Joey thing. Anyway, I needed another circular needle, to give the Nightcap another try. Since I'm casting on fewer stitches, they didn't fit on the other circ I already had. I'm seriously considering getting one of these, because really, I never have the needle the size and length I need it. Thinking about it.
Alright, I'm not always finding exactly what I want/need at my LYS, but the Ladies sure do try. This time I was lucky though, and not just in one way.
The owners Beth and Karen, always nice to talk to gifted me with this new sock yarn, meant for my daughter. Thank you!

Well, the ball band says you need three balls for one pair of socks. What could I do with one ball? After dismissing several options I settled on baby booties. They can still be for my daughter some day, not that she's in need of them right now. :o)

I was looking through patterns on ravelry, when it hit me, that there were Baby booties in Cat Bordhi's "New Pathway" book. Of course! I always wanted to give them a try. So I started with Lesson sock number 1 in the book: Little Sky socks!

You know I love Cat's designs. They were such fun to knit. The yarn is a fun yarn too. I can see myself wearing a pair of socks around the house. They are fuzzy, very soft and warm. While knitting them I thought it would be nice to knit a baby sweater with this yarn too.

The yarn is made of 39% new wool, 61% Polyamide. One ball is 50g/125m, and you should use 3-4mm needles. I used 4mm DP. Boy the first round was hard. I have only 4mm metal DP's and they slipped out of my grip, and through the loops more than once. But after that is was fun, and easy. It also says on the ball band, you can wash it in the washing machine and even put it into the dryer.

It took not quite half the ball for these babies, so I will knit another pair soon.

Oh, did I mention it's called "Regia Softy Color"? The only off-putting thing here would be the prize. With $ 9.99 + tax a ball, it's a bit pricey for me. A pair of socks would be over $ 30. On the other hand I imagine they would keep longer than 100% merino wool socks.

In any case, thank you Beth and Karen for providing me with yarn to have fun with! :o)

*

BTW: I can't decide what project to take for my trip to Austria. What would be a good one, for travelling, sitting at the airport etc.? Any experience? Any ideas?

Do I really need another blanket?

Not really. Am I crazy or what? I would really NEED a sweater right about now, but I haven't even started one! I DO have several knit blankets however, a couple in the works, and now I've started another mosaic blanket. I've had this on my mind for, oh say, over a year now. I've bought the yarn for it, after I finished my fitst mosaic blanket, and yesterday, I finally cast on for the first square. The pattern is from the magazine "Family Circle Easy Knitting, Holiday 2003, pattern # 12. I made myself a graph of the design, so I can work it "my way". It's a little different in the original pattern.

I'm using Jojoland Rhythm for the multicolored yarn, and Jojoland Wool Yarn for the natural white one. I'm going to knit not separate squares, but bands of squares one on top of each other, maybe 8 or 10, and later sew those bands together. Anything to reduce the sewing part.

I'm wondering if I should rip this square out though. I'm using 4.5mm needles, which is appropriate for this yarn, but with the slip stitch pattern it makes it stiff like a board. Can't say the wool is soft, rather scratchy, but good enough for a blanket, and I prefer wool over acrylic. So there's something to think about. I'll not put a lot of time into this one just yet. Want to work on the lace shawl and the Noro blanket first.

Will I ever knit a sweater for myself? It's getting cold, and it would be nice to have one. It's just not the same to tuck a blanket around one's body, while letting the dogs outside to pee, no, not the same. One day, I guess, I will muster enough courage to cast on for something more practical.

October Mystery Sock Clue # 1 - Cuff

I stumbled upon Kirstin's blog entry last night, and decided, that it's time for another mystery knitalong. The last one I participated in was almost a year ago, hosted by Mona Schmidt. This should be fun. I'm going to cast on for the second cuff right away, and while waiting for the next clue, I'll have lots to do. Just to remind you (and me), what I've got on my needles right now:

1. Noro 10-stitch blanket (knit on it almost every night)
2. SWS 10-stitch blanket (on hold)
3. Terttu Shawl II by Lankakomero (I LOVE this shawl!)
4. Bliss entrelac blanket (scroll down a bit) - it's on time out. I wanted to rip it, but I'm more than halfway done, so I'll finish it someday.

And - I'm happy to say, that I'm back in the spinning groove! I navajo plied the Light Coopworth I've spun some time ago. It's for the mittens I wanted to spin for (and I will finish spinning for this project!). It's the second skein with ~ 245yds. With two of those that's more than enough for mittens.

I had fun spinning Phoenix. I didn't mind what the outcome would be, I just had to get back into spinning. The skein is still a little damp, and it's a little over twisted, but not too much. I've got ~ 366yds, 2-ply yarn. It will stripe, if knit in the round for mittens or socks. It's not going to be socks though, maybe mittens. I'm looking forward to knit with this yarn. It's superwash merino, and very soft. On a grey, rainy day, looking at this yarn makes me happy.

I've already started spinning the chocolate and cherries fiber! Can't wait to see how that will come out.

Lots to do, so I better get going.

What spinning?

O.K. I fixed the link to Sunshine Yarns.

One last word about ravelry login, and than I'll shut up. Of course I do know about the "remember me", and I've checked it, but it only remembers my user name, I still have to type in the password. It's the same with blogger, and hotmail, remember the username, type in the password. Anyhow, it's no big deal. :o)

9 x 50-70yds. of superwash merino yarn, Fall Color Collection.

Ever since I announced that I wanted to spin for a specific project (mittens), I've NOT touched my spinning wheel. Every day I feel guilty, when I pass by it, but find excuses why I don't get on with it. I've decided to forget about spinning for a specific project. I want it to be fun, and I'd rather spin with joy, and find something to do with the yarn later, than not spin at all.

colorway "Phoenix"

That's why I shopped for new fiber to get me motivated again. The above picture of mini skeins, as well as both braided roving where purchased at Sunshine Yarns .

colorway "Chocolate and Cherries"

I do have to admit, that "Phoenix" is almost too much, even for me. We'll see how this will turn out. I do LOVE the "Chocolate and Cherries" colorway.

I think I will use the mini skeins to knit the mittens I wanted to spin for.

Sam is enjoying himself in the back yard. He's doing not too bad under the circumstances. But the drug prednisone makes him do things, he normally doesn't do. This morning, after we were up and about, and we all had our breakfast, we found him in the hall upstairs, licking his chops. That meant one thing: he ate something! He's under no circumstances supposed to gain weight, it would put too much pressure on his front legs. Anyway, I knew at once, that he was in the bedroom, and helped himself to treats. I have an open box beside my bed, to give them treats, before bedtime. He never stole from it before, but I found it half empty, even though I refilled it just last night. Must be horrible to feel hungry and thirsty all the time.

Finished and Frogged

The last two weeks did not bring forth the knitting which I had planned. I've never frogged so much before. That's why I'm happy that I have some finished projects to show you, which were finished in early August. First, there are Newfoundland mittens, my 6th pair!

Newfoundland mittens by Creative Whimsy

yarn: black: Patons Classic Wool Merino, and Noro Silk Garden color # 239

needles: 4.5mm

Claudia hat by Exartstudent

yarn: Peruvian Collection Highland Wool, color # 2117

needle: 4mm

This hat turned out rather small, more for a child's head.

Turn a square hat by Jared

yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino, color # 00229, Natural Mix, and Noro Silk Garden, color # 239

needles: 4mm and 4.5mm

This hat turned out too big. That's why I made a second one, knit only with 4mm needles, but there's not much of a difference. Nevertheless, this Turn a Square hat was fun to knit, and I learned how to knit stripes without the jog at the beginning of the round. I'm all for learning new things, once in a while.

And here is one of my frogged finished projects. It's the 1840 Nightcap by Franklin
It was totally my fault, that the first attempt didn't pan out. I used 2.5mm needles. Although I didn't have the same yarn brand as the pattern called for, I've got a pretty close match. It was a PIA to knit this, so many purl rows, but I wanted to knit one just the same. I think it would make a fun gift, for any bald head.

That's why I bought some 2mm circs and cast on again. The pattern called for 2.25mm needles. And I got a smaller cap (only knit it half this time, put it on a thread, and let my son try it on), but still it was way too big.

The pattern says, it's supposed to be 22" at the lace edge. I've got 25" with the first attempt, and 24" with the second one (frogged of course). Before I frogged the second one, I've measured the cap above the lace edge, where the purl rows are, and it showed 28"!!!! Not good.

Now, I wanted to knit this as a gift, but can't bring myself to cast it on a third time. Maybe later, but not right now. I'm definitely are going to make changes to this pattern, like casting on less stitches, if I ever will knit this again. It's too bad, really.

*Oh, and there's another thing. I'm a little bit short tempered right now, and I think it's very annoying, that people in blog land use ravelry links more and more. Even though I'm on ravelry, I still have to log in every time I follow a link, which takes time. I'd rather have the links follow to the original source, don't you?*

Knit Picks Harmony Straight Needles - Winners

(notice the beautiful fall flowers in the background)

I asked Biko to bark me three numbers, which she did considerably well. Of course she was heavily influenced by my son, who whispered numbers in her ears. So here are the three lucky ones, who each get a pair of Knit Picks Harmony Straight Needles:

Angelika - 4mm needles

Hege - 4mm needles

Knatolee - 5mm needles

Congratulations, Ladies! Please send me your address via e-mail, so I can send them to you asap.

Some wanted to know about the mosaic knitting. It's just a swatch. I felt like slip stitch knitting, and that's it.

Oh, and also: Welcome Autumn!

Knit Picks Harmony Straight Needles

I was lucky to be asked, if I wanted to give the new Knit Picks Harmony straight needles a try. Of course I did! Those needles are not just beautiful, but good to work with too. They make me happy just looking at them. Needles can be boring, or they can be fun like these colorful ones. I do realize it's just tools, but the better the tools, the better the work will be.

I was surprised how sharp the tips are, but not painfully so. I do have a pair of rosewood needles, but I always felt, yarn never glides well on them, especially with cotton. So I tested these Harmony needles with mercerized cotton, and they work fine. The yarn slips quite easily along.

Even my son was impressed on how they looked. He's so used to seeing all kinds of knitting material all over the place, that it must stand out for him to remark on any of it.

Now, don't feel left out. Angela, of Knit Picks, also asked me, if I would like to get some needles for giveaway. I was in a good and generous mood, so I said, yes, of course! That's why three lucky people are now getting a new pair of Knit Picks Harmony straight needles from me. All you have to do is leave a comment, letting me know which size you would prefer, if you are a winner. I have two pairs of US 6 (4mm) and one pair of US 8 (5mm) to give away. To be considered, you can leave a comment until Monday moring, when I'll announce the winners some time on Monday, September 22nd.

Now, I'd like to thank you all for your lovely comments on my Three Sisters Scarves. And also thanks for all your tips, and empathy for Sam, it's greatly appreciated.

I'm going to respond here, not individually this time. Some of you might already know those things about Sam. He's had knee surgery three times, surgery on both his elbows, he was neutered, which usually is no big deal, but with him it was. One of his testicles did not drop, so they had to cut him open and look for it, so he would not get cancer later on. Once he almost severed one of his toes, while playing, which resulted in a deformed nail (after surgery). He was born with weird front legs, they were never straight, but he always stood like a ballet dancer. It was clear from the beginning, that his front legs would give him trouble down the road, which is now, I guess.

As a puppy he fell into the pool twice, and now is deathly afraid of water. He wont even step into a puddle after the rain, if he can help it. The only way he likes water is to drink from a bowl, or when it's really, really hot, he bites the water coming out of the hose. So swimming is out of the question for him. We tried to get him into the pool, but it's just cruel, the way he acts when in it. So therapy with water is not likely going to happen.

And he's about 96lbs, he's a big dog. You just can't lug him around under your arms, like a toy dog. If he can't get in and out of the house on his own, we are in big trouble. If the problems where in his hind legs, we could see about some kind of wheels for him, but it's the front leg(s) right now.

I don't think surgery, like Biko had on her back, would help his elbows, if at all possible. I'm thinking we just have to find the right pain killer, to make him comfortable, paired with glucosamine supplements, green lipped mussel extract and what else I can find. In any case, the medication he's getting now, is not doing much for him.

Tomorrow he'll get his 4th injection for his joints, and we'll see how his anal gland is doing. He doesn't seem to be bothered much by it right now, which is good.

O.K. enough of that. I wish you all good luck! I'm going to finish my mosaic swatch now.

Mist

It's been a while, since I last posted some spinning. I haven't had time to spin lately. I finished the first skein in the middle of June, and the second skein at the beginning of August.

This is 8oz of 40% merino, 60% bamboo, dyed and sold by A Piece of Vermont. Oh how I loved this colorway, and still do.

It was hard for me in the beginning to work with this fiber. As I was starting to tear it into strips, it drifted apart in my hands, like clouds. Or did it melt like butter? It frustrated me at first, but I had to change my outlook on this one. Before I handled wool, fine, and rough ones, and it can stand rougher handling quite well, not so this fiber. Needless to say, I got used to it, but this fiber wanted to be spun very thin, unbelievable thin. That's why after I finished the first 4oz, there was some time between getting started on the second half. Spinning thin takes forever, and while I enjoy spinning, looking at the same color for such a long time, I needed to spin something else in between, before going back and finish it up.

It came out as lace weight yarn, both skeins together ~ 1,407yds, which will make a lovely shawl someday.

Sam update: Sorry about the blurry picture. If I had a better one, I would have chosen that. That's typical of Sam right now. Holding up his leg, trying not to put pressure on it. It's the one he has this darn arthritis in. He's limping everyday, always, nothing seems to help him. Just yesterday I was thinking, that I'm getting used to seeing him limping, that it seems normal.

I guess because of the prednisone, he's got an anal gland infection as well. (as I understand it, taking this medication makes it easier for infections to take hold) The left anal gland was full of blood, last week at the vet's. He's on antibiotics now as well. After the treatment last Thursday, Sam was fine until Saturday, when his bum started to bother him again.

I'm so tired of it all. I want a healthy puppy, with which I can go for walks etc. It's unbelievable how fast he adapts to his life, how he enjoys going outside (of course he did always enjoy that), playing in the backyard, which for him means, limping outside, finding his ball, taking a pee or two, and lay down to chew on his red ball, listening, and looking around, sniffing the air.

Poor guy, why has he got the short end of the stick? One of the Vet's said:"He's got all the personality, none of the legs." And that's true. He's the best dog we've ever had.

Three Sisters Scarves # Three

Knitted socks are out again, and worn with pleasure. I'm happy summer is over, even if it wasn't a bad summer at all. It's so much more fun to knit warm things like mittens and hats again. After knitting three scarves with Handmaiden Sea Silk, I've discovered that I like working with wool and wool blend yarn the best. I love the feeling of it in my hands, and sometimes when the yarn still smells a little bit of sheep, I'm in heaven. Silk yarn, and silk blend yarns are fine sometimes, but I'm not that kind of girl. That's why I have no trouble giving away those scarves. There you have them! All three in their glory! Puh, am I glad it's done! I need a break from this yarn for a while. It's wonderful to the touch, so luxurious. I hope my SIL's will appreciate them.

This last of the three scarves drowned in its own juices. I finished it late evening, and put it to soak, wanting to block it before I turned in later. I totally forgot about it, and it soaked until next morning. It felt a little stiff, from the water, which turned cold over night of course. But now that it's dry, it's as nice and soft as the other two. The water was dark green though.

pattern: my own

yarn: 1 skein Handmaiden Sea Silk, as the two others before, just a little left over

needle: 3.5mm this time, since I started this before I finished # 2 and didn't have a second 3.25mm

size after (careful) blocking: 10" x 66"

start-finish: August 30 - September 05

That's it! Have fun!

download

Please let me know if you find errors in the pattern! Thanks.

There was a mistake in Scarf #1 and 2, I put errata on the post with the download, as well as on ravelry. Please check before you start knittind it.

chant with me: I will never release a pattern without somebody test knitting it again!

Three Sisters Scarves # Two

Sharon V: I'd love to send you the pattern for scarf # 1, but I need to know your e-mail address first! :o)

This is promised scarf number two. People on ravelry might have seen all three patterns already. This stitch pattern was driving me crazy. It took me forever to memorize it, because of the decreases which go in both directions. I was glad when it was over, but I like the look of it. And I've already cut off the end, which is visible in the above picture. ;o)

pattern: my own

yarn: Handmaiden Sea Silk, 70% silk, 30% sea cell, 1 skein

needle: 3.25mm

size after blocking: 9" x 68", (I had just a little left over)

start-finish: August 25-30

Have fun!

download

Errata:

rows 12 and 14 of chart should read : knit all stitches

Please let me know if you find other errors in the patterns! Thanks.

(This cartoon is Teresa's. You'll find it on her blog for download. I recognized myself in it. How did she know? :o))

And while we are at it, I'd like to turn your attention to a young desinger Teresa, who has a new lace scarf up for sale called Flora, which I just purchased. It's a wonderful piece. I've already knit another scarf desing of hers, the La Dentelle Belle scarf, which is a free design. I think she's very talented.

Three Sisters Scarves # One

In preparation of my upcoming trip I'm knitting some gifts. This week I'll share with you the "Three Sisters Scarves" and as it must be, I start with # One. All three of them are easy lace pattern, made with one skein of Handmaiden Sea Silk. I had several single skeins in my stash and thought now's the time to use them. The first one is knit with a simple, but elegant triangle lace pattern. The color (which is not quite right in the above photo) reminds me of old gold jewelry. And if you know Handmaiden Sea Silk, you know what I mean. It has a wonderful sheen to it. (this picture shows the color better)

(least likeness of actual color)

pattern: my own

yarn: Handmaiden sea silk, 70% silk, 30% sea cell

needles: 3.25mm

size after blocking: 9" x 56" + fringes (I had some left over yarn, I might have gotten another repeat out of it)

For your pleasure, I've written down the pattern. I hope you'll enjoy it!

download

Errata:

the first 2 stitches and the last 2 stitches of this pattern ARE charted

row 2 of chart should read: Knit all stitches.

Fuerstenfeld

Well, it's settled. I'm booked to fly to Austria at the end of October. I'm going to visit my parents. Haven't been there in three years! Unbelievable how time flies. I'm getting really excited about it. :o)

Crochet Star Blanket

I've been blog hopping, reading as many as I could. I'm visiting the ladies of Mason - Dixon frequently, and saw this picture from their upcoming, new book. I'm telling you, it will be a big hit! You can see a preview here, so far I'm liking everything I've seen. Just saying. :o)

At the beginning of the year I said to myself, this year I'd like to make at least ONE crochet project. Well I made more than that, but this star blanket will be the last one this year. Too much knitting needs to get done, but I've got the crochet bug satisfied for now.

pattern: Trinket's crochet 8-point star blanket

yarn: Butterfly super 10 multi color # 804,"Lipstick", mercerized cotton, 5 balls each 100g ` 1,090yds used

size: tip to tip = 39"; ditch to ditch = 32"

hook: 4mm (G)

start-finish: June 15 - July 20

My all time favorite, and inspiration is Mariella's star blanket. It's just wonderful in those colors.

I made a tiny modification. I did only 2 dc in the corners, instead of 3dc, and it worked out very well. The piece is not flaring, but lying flat as it should.

I don't like mercerized cotton, and yet, I have so much in my stash. I'll use it up by and by, but will not buy more of it. I know it works well for some projects, and it will hold up wear and tear quite well, but - of course there's a but, it's me, not the yarn. Anyway, I still have to finish my one and only UFO - the bliss blanket. I've put it aside for now. It's entrelac, which is O.K. but I WISH I'd worked this blanket with some other yarn, not mercerized cotton. But I'm too far into it, to rip it all out again.

Sam update: He had his left front leg x-rayed. The shoulder is fine, and the elbow has severe arthritis, which we suspected anyway. We stopped giving him Metacam, since it didn't do him any good. Last Sunday we started giving him Prednisone and Tramadol, and we started to see some improvement, or I should say he seemed in less pain. From today on, he'll only get Prednisone. But we also give him glucose supplements. A dear friend mentioned Mandragora D4, and green lipped mussel extract/tablets, and she sent us some. As soon as we'll get it, we'll start giving Sam these as well. Although with atrocities, he will not get better, I hope we can manage the pain, so that he can at least go for short walks, and enjoy being outside in the backyard.

Thank you for all your well wishes!