Back With Some Knitting Content

I finished clue 6a on the Vernal Equinox Spring Surprise and the second Regia Galaxy sock so I decided to knit Mandala next. So far I've knit clue 1A and 2C. I am currently working on 3A. The yarn is Ecco Cashmere that I bought at The Purple Purl when they had their pre-boxing day sale. The yarn is so soft and yummy to knit with I can't believe it. I've knit with alpaca and merino but I think this is the softest by far of anything I have ever had the pleasure to run through my fingers.

Way back in November I preordered the new Addi Click needles. After waiting for what seemed like forever, I FINALLY received the set yesterday. I gave them a trial run last night. Overall I am quite impressed. The cords are extremely flexible. I was a little worried about the "learning curve" I'd read about but it was nothing. Once I read the pamplet that came with the needles on how to assemble it was really quite easy. The packaging is top notch. Something you would expect from Addi. There is a connector that you can use to connect two cords so if you need longer lengths you have that option. It even comes with a needle gauge so if the stamps on the needles rub off you will have the gauge right there. If I had one wish it would be that it came with more cords. I am waiting for them to sell tips and cords separately. Other than that I can't say enough good things about the set. I'm glad I preordered even though there was a very long wait. With the current exchange rate the prices here in Canada have increased. That's what it looks like anyway based on checking out some different sites.

On the knitting front, I got the next clue for the Vernal Equinox Spring Surprise Shawl. I started it last night and I should be done with it tonight. After this clue is done there is only one more left. Then blocking and deciding where it is going to go. My granddaughter loves pink and I am thinking I might send it to her to use when she is cold in the house.

I started a pair of socks from some Regia Galaxy yarn I had in my stash. I finished the first sock in two days and then started the second. I thought I would get it done on Sunday. I was working on the gusset when I realized I had a mistake and I ripped back to the end of the increases for the toe. Surprisingly enough I was able to knit back all that I had ripped by the time the laundry was done. Now I put it aside while I finish clue 6a on the shawl. After that's done I don't know what I want to start. Decisions decisions.

February 15, 2009

Tomorrow is Family Day in Ontario and I am lucky enough to have the day off. I decided to take advange of the situation and hang out at The Purple Purl today. I wasn't going to buy anything but they got in these new project bags and I just loved the pattern on the material so I decided to get it. I also bought the new IK and Piecework magazine.

I was able to knit for hours and therefore I was able to start and finished clue 5 of the Vernal Equinox Shawl Surprise. I was a little worried it might be too big and the designer said if you are worried about that stop before clue 5. I decided clue 5 isn't that big so I went ahead and completed it. Now that that's done I don't really have another WIP so I have to figure out what I want to knit next. I can't believe I have no clue what I want to start.

A Whole Lot of Knitting Going On

I've been knitting away lately. Surprisingly enough, I've managed to stay up later than usual all week so I really got some good knitting time in the evening. I finished clue 4 of the Vernal Equinox Spring Surprise shawl as well as the Coral Reef socks. I also started another doily - Herbert Niebling's Trollblume oval doily. I finished chart A but I didn't bring my camera to my in-laws yesterday and by the time I got home it was too dark to even bother. I am using DMC Cebelia No. 30 in a mint green colour using 1.5mm needles. I wanted to use a pink DMC Cebelia 20 but I only have 1 ball and I was afraid I would run out so I decided on the green instead. Once this one is finished I'll have a better idea if I can do it in the pink. Now to get started on the oval sections and get this doily done.

Catching Up

The time between posts just seems to fly by. I've been planning to post since I came home from the Purl on Monday night and I never got around to it. Where does the time go? Kate Jacobs was at The Purple Purl on Monday night for a book signing. She did a reading from her latest book, Knit Two. It was a lot of fun and I am glad I decided to go and the weather cooperated for a change. I am looking forward to warmer weather so I can get to the Purl more often. It seems like whenever I want to go it snows. Spring will get here eventually no matter what the ground hog says tomorrow.
I decided to join yet another KAL. Most of the time I end up waiting until the pattern is complete and then knit it rather than knit the clues as they come out. This pattern is called The Vernal Equinox Shawl Surprise. I'm using Filtes King Color Baby by Needful Yarns. The colour is Pink Roses. I bought the yarn from elann.com. The yarn has a nice feel to it. I just hope the shawl isn't going to be extremely large. If I find it's too big I can always stop before the last clue, I suppose.

The first of the Coral Reef Socks complete and I'm on the leg part of the second sock. I hope to get it done by Tuesday. The only question is, once that sock is done what I am going to knit next? I've got some cashmere that I want to use. I just don't know what it wants to become yet. I know it's going to be a shawl I just wish I could figure out what shawl.

Yesterday I took one class at the Downtown Knit Collectives Winter Workshops. I think the next time I am going to take more than one. I just didn't have the time this weekend. The class I took was on interpreting Japanese Patterns. It was given by Patrick Madden. The class was fantastic. If there was anything I could say I wish, it is that the class would have been more than 3 hours. The class was way too short but very informative. I also have to get down to Village Yarns. I've never been there and Patrick works there. That's good enough reason for me to try and make a trip to the store. Now to figure out how to get there. Google Maps is my friend. Sorry, I don't have any pics. I forgot the camera at home yesterday. (I didn't make it to Romni either.)