Soak Test

When I was at the Knitter's Frolic on Saturday I stopped by the Soak booth. I bought some Soak and talked to Jacqueline, the founder of Soak, for a little while. I mentioned that I like to use the Soak to rinse my yarn after dyeing and she asked me if I had ever used it before I dyed. I haven't but I did tell her I would try and tell her how it went. The question had come up from a customer if using Soak in the water when soaking the fibre would the fibre be colour fast after dyeing. I tried it out on Sunday when I dyed this fibre. It is more of the undyed Polworth that I have. I used only one colour and it was that Gaywool purple that I had from the day at Maggie's. Unfortunately, I can't get the picture to come out true to colour. It looks way too blue here. The colour is purple and I love the results. Using the Soak in the water when the fibre was soaking did not cause the dye to wash out after the dyeing was complete. I dyed the fibre in the oven, 350 degrees for 30 minutes in one of those speckled roasting pans. The next time I dye I am going to attempt to dye more than one colour. I think I will mix up some dye solutions this weekend when we go to my in-laws, if the weather cooperates. This way I can do the dirty work outside in the yard.

On the knitting front, I got some knitting done on the subway today. I am working up the back now. I hope I can get the back finished by tomorrow. I really need to get this sweater finished by the weekend so I can cast on the second one that has to be finished by May 17th.

The Final Four

I am done with all the samples I had to knit for The Walker Treasuries Project. I used the Bernat Cool Crochet for all these samples. I still had some left over from the ones I did before so the colours are Denim, Amethyst, and Sage. The green didn't come out so great in the picture but with the name of the pattern being Candle Tree I couldn't resist getting one ball of that colour. I will probably do more but I need a bit of a break so I can get other knitting done. I have 2 sweaters baby sweaters I have to finish in the next 2 and a half weeks and then socks to knit. Lets I forget, I still have to finish the Forest Path Stole.

This is the Aran Diamonds with Popcorns.

This is the Candle Tree. I really love this pattern and it was fun to knit.

This is the Ribbed Lattice with Bobbles. The bobbles were done in a very interesting way over 4 sts so you don't get a hole like you sometimes get with bobbles.

This is the Superimposed Double Wave.

I feel like I've done my share with this project and it feels good. All of Barbara Walker's books are so great. I still want to do some of the mosaic squares but I just don't have the time right now.

It's off to the dentist for me this afternoon. I hate that but it's necessary. I have my knitting so I should get some stuff done while I ride the subway.

A Fun Time Was Had

I spent most of my day at the Knitter's Frolic. I got there just before 9 and the parking lot was already full. We knitter's are early risers. I had a doctors' appointment so I figured I would go early stay for 2 hours and then head out to the doctor and then go home. BOY WAS I WRONG!!! I am a Knitter's Frolic newbie so that will account for my ignorance but after this year I will be back and I will know better for next year. I don't remember what it was that kept me from going in past years but I really didn't realize what I was missing. The place was AMAZING!! Just look at a few pictures of the space and vendors.

Now for the haul. I bought 2 spindles at Gemini Fibres. Cheryl got some new spindles in from Tom Forrester this week. I tried the orchard and it spun so well and I just loved the wood. I couldn't leave it behind now could I? The spider is a completely new design. It's the first time he has done this. There were 3, all about the same weight, but this one is the one that told me it wanted to come home with me.

After my stop at Gemini I moved on to The Black Lamb. I got to play with this.What a very nice wheel this is. No treadling hook is required and it is so smooth. You change the whorl only to get smaller ratios so the parts for that are not as expensive as an entire flyer. I also bought some fibre from Laurie. She has one pound bags of pencil roving at an amazing $16 per pound. I got 2 bags. One colour is called lipstick and the other I am not sure what it's called but it is a dusty rose colour. It doesn't seem to want to come out any better in the picture so this will have to do.

These are the rest of the things I bought. The light blue yarn is lace weight alpaca and it was inexpensive, I liked the colour, and I love knitting shawls so it was just begging to come home with me. The sock yarn, well what can you say about sock yarn. It's a cotton blend, it's soft like anything and it was a last minute thing from Red Bird Knits.

The fibre is more of the Northern Lights in Grape Jelly. Since the purple lavender family is my favourite colour it was just calling to me to spin. Fleece Artist Merino sock yarn. I don't think I need to say anything more than that. I love the stuff.
This baby is something I have been trying to find for a VERY LONG TIME!!! I heard about it a few years ago when I was at the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival and I've wanted one ever since. When I went to that festival I bought 2 kits for knitted beaded bags. I had such a difficult time trying to string the beads I gave up. Now I might actually get to make those bags. This will make stringing the beads effortless.

I saw some people that I met at the last TTC Knit-A-Long at the Frolic. Jacquie was busy as always but I'm glad I ran into her. I would like to help out at the next knit-a-long in June, if they need helpers. Sophie looks great and was fun to talk to as always. I saw Sherri who told me about the Little Gem. And, if that wasn't enough, I met two of my knitting heros.

Before I had to leave to see the doctor I met Amy Singer. She is amazing and funny and I wish I had my books with me so she could have autographed them. I talked too much as always. I think I made a fool of myself. Sortof like a bubbling idiot when you meet a rock star or actor or something. She was great.


Then when everything was just about to wrap up, all the vendors are packing up and who do I see walking towards me? None other than Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. Talk about a blubbering idiot? I was shaking all over. Just as nervous as can be. Once again she is just the nicest person. I also wished I had her new book with me. I would have asked for her to autograph it. I'm not a stalker, honestly. I was just so excited. I hope I didn't scare either of them.

I had a GREAT day. Meeting Amy Singer and The Yarn Harlot was just icing on the cake. I am a very happy camper today and I think I will sleep like a baby and dream about what a wonderful day I had.

Very Interesting

I did this back in February but I forgot about it because of stuff that was going on back then. I redid it this morning and I found the results interesting. I am referring to the Chinese Zodiac. Paul was born in the year of the Rabbit. Joseph was born in the year of the Dog. I was born in the year of the DRUMROLL PEASE!!!! Sheep!!!! How appropriate is that?? With my knitting obsession and my spinning obsession I think that is just so cool.

I am off to the doctor today. I'm not looking forward to it. I've fallen off the wagon big time and I will pay the price for it. That's alright though because by going to see the doctor today I will get back on track and that's the important thing. I will put the lapse as part of my past and move on.

More Pics

As I said in a previous post, my son was in NYC for Passover. He's been uploading the pictures to Facebook so I downloaded more. I don't get to see the grandchildren often so these are real treats for me. This is Yehudis and Yisroel. The last time I saw Yehudis she was about 6 months old. She had a head of hair like her brother does now. She will be 2 next weekend and when I see how long her hair is I am simply amazed. In this picture I can see she is a carbon copy of her mother. The little one is a carbon copy of his dad.

She Made My Day

When I was growing up people would always tell my sister that she looked like Barbara Streisand. She does too. People always remarked that Judy and I looked alike. However, no one ever said I looked like Barbara Streisand. Until today that is!! I stopped at the Italian bakery before I went to pick Joseph up from school. I needed cold meat for him for lunch. Anyway, as I was standing in line waiting to pay this woman looks at me and says "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Barbara Streisand?" "No," I said, "but you just made my day!" The woman next to her looked and me and said that indeed I did look like Barbara Streisand. I said I can sing but not like Barbara. She can really belt it out. I love her voice. Maybe I'll even find Yentl on DVD one of these years. I'm still waiting for them to re-release it.

Talk About Timing

Last night at our SnB we were talking about the next TTC Knit-a-long. Last year it was the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, I believe. Since it is already the end of April we were pretty sure it wasn't going to be that weekend this year. I was going to email Beryl to find out when the next one was. Low and behold, I look at Jacquie's blog and what is there? You got it. News about the next Knit A Long. It is tentatively scheduled for June 9th. That's perfect for me. It's after the long Victoria weekend where I am going away and it is after June 1st when I have the nasty colonoscopy. I should be all better by then and ready to go. I can't wait!!

My First SP10 Package!!!

After being so upset today look what I found when I checked the mailbox today. Isn't that just the cutest thing you have ever seen? I LOVE the stitch markers. I knit lots of lace and I will make great use out of them. I don't usually change my earrings but I am going to have to make an exception and wear these. The sweaters on knitting needles are great. I have a pin that my husband bought for me years ago that is very similar just on a larger scale and it's gold coloured not silver coloured. The green earrings, well that's my birthstone so what more can you ask for? Let's not forget the card. Take a good look at it. I just love love love it!!! Thank you Secret Pal. This was a wonderful bright spot in my day after what I thought was a horrible mistake. Things always work out in the end.

On the knitting front, the blanket is all done but the blocking, as I mentioned earlier today. You can actually see the minty green colour in this picture. Whenever I try to take a picture of something that is such a light colour it usually ends up looking white. This colour is pretty accurate. I guess that's because the sun was shining when I took the picture.

Finally, I've been playing with Victoria and the more I play with her the more I like her. I am getting used to having to move the slider along the flyer as I spin. With the Woolee Winder on the Joy I don't worry about that. It is much easier than the Joy was because Victoria doesn't have hooks. This is what I've managed to spin so far. The roving is the Polworth I dyed on Sunday. I must admit I am very pleased how the dyeing came out, especially since it is the first time I tried to dye fibre all by myself. I think the next time I am going to watch it a little more carefully because I left the fibre in the oven for 40 minutes. I think 30 would have been fine so next time I am going to check it after 30 minutes and if the water is clear I'll take it out of the oven. The spun single is pretty good too and since I have not had a lot of time to spin on the Victoria I am extremely happy with the result. Now I have to spin a second bobbin and try plying it and see how it turns out.

Totally Disappointed

I am so upset I can't even put it into words. I can't even go into details right now but I will at a later date. I was all excited because I thought I had found something. Turns out I was too anxious and I didn't get what I thought I was getting. I feel so foolish. Good thing is I can exchange it or return it so no harm done but I can't believe I did it. Too much said already so I will leave it at that.

The baby blanket is off the needles. I just have to block it. Will post pics on my next post.

Totally Complete

This is totally complete. Since it was such a gorgeous day yesterday I am calling it Spring Surprise. See Maggie, I figured out how to do the braid. I know I used to braid my hair in my younger days. I just couldn't resist showing it off. Joseph is colour deficient so he can't really see the true colours and he thinks it looks ugly. That's alright because I think it's gorgeous. I don't know how to say thank you to Maggie for taking the time to spend the day with me and show me how all this works. I was really worried I would ruin everything. Now I have something new to play with (as if I didn't have enough).

I Couldn't Resist - Look What I Cooked UP

After my day with Maggie I just couldn't resist giving it a try on my own. I WAS going to use the purple mixed dye I brought home with me but I couldn't resist trying another colour. So I used the blue dye I got in the kit from Hello Yarn. I really really like the blue. When I first soaked the fibre I was planning on doing it in spots and making it blue and natural but then as I was pouring the dye in spots I liked it so much I decided to do the entire thing one colour. I have to remember things like GLOVES when I am pouring the powder into the bottle. Silly me forgot it at first. Remembered the mask, forgot the gloves. I was alright after I ran and got the gloves. I ended up with dye on my upper arm when I was pouring it into the pan. It must have dripped on the side of the pan and that part of my arm wasn't covered with the glove so I must have touched the pan and gotten some on my arm. It will wear off in time so I am not worried. Here it is ready to go into the oven.

Here it is after cooking for 40 minutes. After the problem yesterday with the steamed roving I didn't want to run into the same problem so I thought I would bake it for 40 minutes just to be safe. I am not waiting for it to cool. It's in the sink in the pan, as you can see below. Once it is washed and dried I will take another picture of the finished product. Next time I think I am going to bring some dye over to my MIL and mix stuff outside in the backyard. I want to try the second half of the bag of this roving by mixing two colours and see how it turns out.



My son Shlomie was in New York for Pesach. He went to see his sisters and he took pictures of the little ones. So here are the three of them togehter. That's Shimon on the left, Menachem Mendel in the middle and Liba, the oldest, on the right. I am going to go see them for the long Victoria Day weekend in May and I can't wait. I come home on my birthday so I will get to spend part of my birthday with them. I am so excited I can hardly wait.

First Impressions

What a day I had yesterday. It was totally AWESOME!!!! First, I think I am finally back to normal after the last dizzy attack. I started to think so on Friday after I had a day of running around after work trying to get things done so I could head up to Mount Albert and Keswick first thing in the morning. When I got home I realized I was feeling pretty good. I think my world is finally right again.

I drove up to Gemini Fibres to get this. I must admit when I first saw the box I asked Cheryl if I had to assemble it because the box is so small.


I like the way this assembles. I think the flyer is much easier to attach then on the Joy. It has a magnet so it just clicks in place so you don't have to unscrew it like the Joy. However, it is a little more fiddly to open and close than the Joy. I wish the carrying case had more padding like the Joy does but I think I will either get some foam or use towels to protect it when I take it anywhere. Everything is self contained. When you take it along with you everything has it's place so you shouldn't have a problem forgetting something. I am pretty good at doing things like that. The one thing I wish it came with is a treadling hook. I don't understand why it doesn't have one. I do understand that you can thread the orifice without it but if you break the singles as you are spinning I think a hook is needed. No worries, I will just get one when I go back to Gemini for the spinning clinic on May 5th.


When I tried to spin I had an awful time. It reminded me of when I first got Joy. The wheel kept wanting to turn counter clockwise. I think I have that pretty much under control now but I still have to get used to it. This is what I managed to spin when I was at Maggie's. It's not much but it was fun none the less. I actually thought the yarn was going to be awful but when I took it off the bobbin it wasn't bad at all.


After I finished playing with Victoria Maggie showed me how to dye. We did two different kinds of dyeing. We put plastic all over the kitchen table and put out 8 ounces of fibre. This is supposed to be for both of us in reds and blacks. This was when we were ready to wrap it up and put it in the steamer for 30 minutes.


This is what it looked like after steaming but, unfortunately, Maggie thinks it wasn't in long enough because when it was rinsed most of the colour was washing out so the fibre didn't have a chance to absorb all the dye. When I left Maggie put it in the oven in red dye to see how it turns out. I don't know how it ended up.
The second set we did two different colours in the oven. This is for Maggie in browns and yellows.
This is mine in reds and purples.
This is the mess when we were finished. I learned a lot but because of space restrictions in my apartment I don't think I will be able to dye with the plastic and steaming. I don't really have a place I can put the fibre out like we did. So, I think when I do my first try I am going to use the purple dye I brought back from Maggie's and just dye fibre one colour to start with using the oven method and see how it works out.

This is the finished product all dried out. I am pleased with it. Now I just have to start spinning it up. I want to finish the blanket today so the spinning will have to wait.

Spring Has Finally Sprung!!!!

Well it looks like spring has FINALLY sprung in Toronto.!!!!! Yes I know winter had a late start here as well and the winter wasn't all that bad. However, it feels like it's been cold for so very long and the temps seem like they have been below normal for way too long. Yesterday was gorgeous and today is even better. We are supposed to have a superb weekend with lots of sunshine and plenty of warm temps. I went for a walk yesterday and today. It's the first bit of real exercise I have had in forever. It felt good too. Why I fight it so much when I feel better afterwards I will never know. I am still a lazy at heart, I guess, and I think that's the root of the problem. I have to try and remember how much better I feel after I finish and maybe that will spur me on but I won't count on it. It is so easy to fall back into bad habits and start doing things again that are not good for you. Ask me how I know this tidbit of information? I'm a champion at this.

I'm going to Gemini Fibres tomorrow to pick up Victoria. I can't wait to try her. I will bring her to the spinning clinic that Gemini is having May 5th. Picking her up tomorrow will give us enough time to get acquainted. Pictures will follow once I have them. After I'm done in Mt. Albert I'm off to Keswick to spend the day with Maggie. I love going up there. I love the drive. I love her house. I love her cats. I always come home feeling refreshed. We will probably do some spinning and I am bringing some undyed Polworth and some dyes. It's high time I get over my fear of dyeing fibre.

SP10 Contest #4

The new SP10 contest asks "What is the oldest yarn in your stash? Show us a picture, tell us when you bought it and why you bought it. (Was there an intended project or that it just called your name and you wanted to own it just to pet...)..." So here is the oldest yarn in my stash. I bought it from Elann back in 1999. (I had older stuff but I gave all of it to my daughter over the years). I did not have a project in mind when I bought it but at the time I had just started knitting lace and I had never knit or had silk. Laceweight yarn was not easy to come by then either at least not that I was able to find. I remember not liking the smell of it when it got wet but that's not why I haven't knit something from it yet. I just haven't decided what pattern is right for this yarn as of yet.

As far as knitting goes, I actually managed to get some knitting done this week. Will wonders never cease. I finished all the blocks on the blanket and just have the floral border and garter stitch top edge to go. I've already started the floral border and I hope I will get that section done tomorrow night. I should get all the knitting done on this by the end of the weekend. I can't wait till I can cast off and tuck in the ends.

Now I just have to figure out a baby sweater to make. I am open to suggestions.

Shine Shine Shine

Look what the postman brought me today. The colour is a little off but look at the shine!!! This is merino/tencel 30/70 blend that I ordered from Crown Mountain Farms in colour purple. I can't wait to try and spin some up.

I am not feeling dizzy anymore but my world is still not 100%. Having said that I am feeling well enough to drive up to Mt. Albert so I am going to go up to Gemini Fibres on Saturday and pick up the Louet Victoria she has waiting for me. I was originally going to pick it up this past Saturday but I didn't think I could handle the drive so I didn't do it. Once I have the new wheel I will have the time to get acquainted before the spinning clinic at Gemini on May 5th.

On the knitting front, I've gone back to working on the Sweet Dreams Baby blanket. I have to finish soon. The baby is due 3 days after my birthday on May 25th so I want to get it done as soon as possible and see if I can knit a sweater or something to match since I will have enough yarn left over to do it.

My other daughter-in-law, Deena, asked if I could make a sweater for Mati and I want to try and get that done soon as well. I just have to decide on a pattern. I am going to use the Laines du Norde Baby Star that I bought from Elann in the Spring Flowers colourway. I might even have enough to make something for the grandchild to be that's due in May from this stuff too. I am planning a visit as soon as I can so I want to knit what I can to bring with me when I go.

I have 2 samples left from the original samples I promised to knit for The Walker Treasury Project. Once I finish the blanket I will finish those 2 and then post pictures of the last 4 samples I did. I want to get back to the Forest Path Stole too. I have so much I want to knit and no time to do it. Between work, the computer, and life there isn't much time left over for knitting but I do what I can when I can.

Meme

I saw this on Pirk's website and I can't resist memes.

1. What are your initials? RR

2. What is your favorite thing to wear? Jeans and Tee Shirt

3. Last thing you ate? Chicken breast and Greek salad

4. Nastiest thing you've ever eaten? Sushi – I don’t like raw food

5. I say Shotgun, you say? Marriage

6. Last person you hugged? My son

7. How many U.S states have you been to? 3

8. What state did you dislike the most? None

9. How many of the U.S states have you lived in? 1

10. Does anyone you know wanna date you? My husband.

11. Name something you like physically about yourself. My Eyes - Hazel

12. What is your favorite romance movie? Titanic

13. Who is your best friend? Valerie

14. Why are you still up? It’s afternoon if I were sleeping I’d be sick and I don’t like being sick.

15. Who/What made you angry today? Almost got into a car accident thanks to some idiot that doesn’t know what to do when you see a police car with his siren on flying towards you.

16. Favorite type of Food? Chinese

17. Favorite holidays: All holidays where I get time off work.

18. Do you download music? Not often.

19. Do you care if your socks are dirty? YUCK!

20. What age did you start noticing the opposite sex? It’s so long ago I don’t remember.

21. Have you ever cheated on a test? Yes. When I was in high school we all came up with this elaborate plan to steal the test. I pretended to fall down the stairs and another girl ran into the office and took the stenciled sheet out of the garbage. We all got suspended from school when one of the girls that wasn’t in on the plan told on us.

22. Has anyone ever sang or played for you personally? yes

23. Do you love anyone? Yes.

24. Do you like Bush? No

25. Have you ever bungee jumped? No and I never will.

26. Have you ever gone white-water rafting? Nope and I don't plan to.

27. Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you? Yes

28. How much money ya got in ya pocket? None

29. Have you met a real redneck? Yes

30. How is the weather right now? Mostly cloudy

31. What are you listening to right now? Young and the Restless on TV

32. What is your current favorite song? Too numerous to list

33. What was the last movie you watched? Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

34. Do you wear contacts? No

35. Where was the last place you went besides your house? Doctor’s office

36. What are you afraid of? Dying

37. How many piercings have you had? 20 (10 in each ear with sleeper earrings that I don’t take out)

38. How many pets do you have? None

39. What's one thing you've learned? Take it one day at a time

40. What do you usually order from Starbucks? Decaf sugar free cinnamon dolce latte

41. What's your favorite book? The Thornbirds

42. Have you ever fired a gun? No I hate guns ... I won't even let Joseph have a toy gun.

43. Are you missing someone? yes

44. Fav. TV show? Ghost Whisperer, House, Criminal Minds, Stargate SG1 just to name a few.

45. Do you have an iPod? MP3 player yes, iPod no.

46. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celeb? Yes

47. If you had a daughter, what would you name her? I had 2 and named them Henny and Chana Leah

48. Who would you like to see right now? My mother but she died a long time ago.

49. Favorite movie of all time? The King and I (brings back memories of my mom)

50. Do you find yourself loved? Yes

51. Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to? Yes

52. Favorite flower? Rose

53. Butter, plain, or salted popcorn? Butter

54. What Magazines are you reading? Knitting or spinning magazines

55. Have you ever ridden in a limo? Yes

56. Has anyone you were really close to passed away recently? No

57. Have you ever been on stage? No

58. What's something that really bugs you? Drivers that don’t signal when they change lanes

59. Do you prefer scary movies or comedies? Comedies I don’t watch scary movies

60. Do you like Michael Jackson? No

61. What's your favorite smell? Lilac, lavender, coconut

62. Favorite baseball team? Mets

63. Favorite cereal? Cinnamon Life

64. Have you ever milked a cow? No

65. What's the longest time you've gone without sleep? 20 hours or so

66. Last time you went bowling? About 20 years ago when I was in a league

67. Where is the weirdest place you have slept? I don’t sleep in weird places

68. Have you ever cut your own hair? Yes

69. Last time you were at work? Tuesday

70. What is the closest orange object to you? The orange light on my USB key.
THE END.

That Was So Much Easier

Look what came in the mail today!!! I gave up trying to get both books from either Chapters or Amazon in any sort of timely manner so I ordered them from Knit Picks. I haven't had a chance to devour either book but I did glance through both of them and I am a happy camper. I love the spiral binding on the Favorite Socks book. The format on in the More Sensational Knitted Socks book is like the first book. The patterns are nice. Now I need to check out the different constructions.

I also got the Regia Bamboo yarn in two different shades. This stuff is sooooo soft. I can't wait to try it. Unfortunately, that will have to wait because I have some beta testing to do and then I have other things I need to finish first.

I'm feeling better than earlier in the week but I still am not right. The nausea comes and goes but at least the room isn't spinning anymore. I just need time and rest. I am going to go to the doctor on Monday and talk to her about some suggestions Kate gave me in her comments. I also spoke to a friend of mind about his chiropractor and I will look into that as well. I can't stand when these attacks happen and if I can do something to avoid them I will.

Attack of the Dizzies

I have been suffering from acute labrynthitis for almost 20 years now. Although my attacks have never been as bad as the initial one, it is always very difficult when it hits. I usually have no warning. That's what happened to me on Tuesday. I couldn't drive home from work it was so bad. One of the gentlemen in the office drove me home and my boss followed in my car. Thankfully, I live a few blocks from work so it's not as bad as it sounds. I didn't make it to work yesterday but I did go today, even though I felt like crap. I couldn't take more time off and I'm taking Serc and Gravol so hopefully things will be even better tomorrow.

I haven't really gotten much knitting done but I did mange to get a few rows done. I finished the Rose Trellis Lace sample before the attack and most of the Tyrolean Medallion. I was able to block them this morning. I really like the way both of them came out. I love the effect of knitting into the back of a stitch every row like you do for the Tyrolean Medallion (k1b and p1b on the wrong side is more like it). I think I have about 4 samples left to work on and then I will go back to other knitting.

Amazing

I received an email from amazon.ca today. They said they have not received any information from anyone about More Sensational Knitted Socks book. I cancelled the order last week, as I mentioned, because the Favorite Socks book wouldn't be shipped until May, at the earliest. They told me they were giving me a $10.00 promotional certificate due to the frustrations I encounted with my order. The $10 will automatically be deducted from my next order. The new Yarn Harlot book is looking really good right about now.

On the knitting front, I've completed another sample. This one is called Ogee Lace. It is also from the first Barbara Walker book. I used the Bernat Cool Crochet yarn and the colour is amethyst. I am really enjoying doing all these patterns for The Walker Treasury Project. I think I have six more to go. I have the Bernat Cool Cotton in sage (a green shade) and denim (a medium blue). I know exactly what sample I am going to use the green for. Then I just have to figure out what colours I will use for the rest of the samples. I am doing the Rose Trellis now also in the Bernat Cool Crochet in Rosewood (pink).

More Samplers

I have been busy knitting samples from the Barbara Walker Treasury books for the Barbara Walker Treasury project. I have two more samples that are blocking and once they are dry I will post those to the group. I used Bernat Handicrafter cotton on these swatches and I like the way they turned out. If I don't join them all together they will work as dishcloths, if I decide that's what I want to do with them. This is Christmas Tree from the first book.
This is Filigree Lace from the first book.
This is Frost Flowers from the first book.
This is Shell Lace from the first book.

This is Fan Lace from the first book.

This is the Six Pointed Star from the 4th book.

I had such a difficult time with the star. I think I was reading more into the pattern than was needed and I kept thinking it wasn't coming out right. I finally decided I needed to get it done and just trusted in the pattern and my knitting and voila it is done. I think the colours could have been better but I like purple and I like the pink. It is better in person than it shows in the picture.