My first test knit

My dear friend Laura designed her first lace shawl project, and she honored my request to test knit it for her (along with some other very talented knitters). I'd like to present you with my attempt at her pattern, the South Seas Stole:

click photo to enlarge

Pattern: South Seas Stole by Laura (to be released soon)
Source: Fiber Dreams and Ravelry
Yarn: Laceweight Mystery Yarn -- nylon blend?
Beads: 8/0 Marble Marine Green T1207
Needles: Knit Picks Options Harmony size 5 US

This is the very first time I've ever test knit for someone and hopefully I'll be able to do it again in the future because it was so fun! There were a few bugs here and there, but those have all been worked out and the final pattern is amazing. Actually, the entire design is amazing. I would go on & on about all the details, but I'll save that for Laura to do when she releases the pattern in a few days.


I loved adding the beads to the stole and I even made a mistake and added extra beads in a section that I wasn't supposed to. It's alright though because you'd never know unless I told you. The needles, oh those needles! I can most definitely recommend the new Knit Picks Harmony needles for lace knitting. In the past I've used the new Addi Turbo Lace needles, but these Harmony needles score a perfect 10 in my opinion.

I had a heck of a time getting the colors to show correctly since I'm obviously in desperate need of a photography class, but it's a beautiful blue/green colorway that has very subtle variegations throughout the yarn. Although I'm not sure what the yarn is, I will say that it wasn't very cooperative when it came to stretching for blocking or the points that should be prominent on the edges of the shawl. Regardless, it did come out very nice and I'm hoping DH has a dress-up Christmas party this year so I can wear it.

Look at this beautiful skein of yarn I received from Tiennie. Of course, how can anyone ever not want Socks That Rock? She held a blog contest (as she frequently does) and all I had to do was leave a comment (which I love to do) and she randomly drew a name. The colorway is Rose Quartz and I'm already dreaming of what pattern will be worthy. Thank you so much Tiennie!

Week In Review (sort of)

I know I've only been posting about twice a week and I mean to post more frequently, but to be honest, my health has continued to decline. I'm only 37 for heaven's sake and it feels like my body is trying to do me in. I could bore you with my pathetic list of symptoms and the Dr's initial diagnosis, but nothings for sure yet, so I'm just attending the various clinics for tests and should have more info in 2 weeks. Don't worry, it doesn't appear to be anything serious (like cancer), but I just wanted to share a bit of this with you because until I'm feeling better, I may not be posting as much, and I may not be commenting on your blogs as much.

Since I'd forbid myself to cast-on for socks until Molly's sweater was complete, and since I've been spending some time at Dr's offices and labs, I've been working on these dish cloths from the Mason-Dixon ladies. I am trying to be a bit more conscious of the environment, so these will be replacing my kitchen sponges. I was really never worried about the sponge harboring bacteria since I only used it for a week and then tossed it, but then a light bulb went on. I've calculated that I've spent about $50 a year on sponges, and since I'm sure they aren't that great in the landfills, using these dishcloths should help in some small way. If you don't have the book but want the pattern, you can get it HERE!

Thanks to Dave, he posted something regarding those of you kind enough to leave comments on blog posts. Seems that quite a few of us have been frustrated that we aren't getting the email addresses of our commenter's. Everyone thought it was the fault of the new Blogger, but I had issues even with the old Blogger. He was notified by Lavendersheep that the new Blogger did NOT mess about with the ability to reply to comments but that the new Blogger DID mess about with your settings.

If your Blogger email address was public before, you've been reset to private. If you edit your profile and check the box that says show my email address, your email address will show up with the comment and restore reply-ability.

Did you see the latest edition of Yarnival? My friend Laura was the editor and she even included one of my blog posts. There are some pretty good articles in there, so make sure you check it out.

Speaking of Laura, yesterday I was able to spend a few hours with her sharing our new yarn acquisitions and completed knitting projects since we last met. You've got to take a look at her Conwy socks. I was tempted to steal them, but then my brain kicked back in and I remembered I could probably just knit my own pair. I also purchased this lace weight yarn from her. Neither of us are sure what it is, but it's almost silk-like and I can't wait to make a shawl from it. For lunch, we went to an amazing German deli (Mattern's) to pick up sandwiches and beer, and although there was quite a wait for it, it was well worth it. We took the food and drinks back to Laura's house and got to sit outside on her patio and enjoy the view, the food, and the company. It was perfect! And where are the photos? I forgot to take them .. BAD BLOGGER!

This weekend I hope to be casting on for my next pair of socks, since I finally finished the Matinee Coat for Molly. My next post will have all the details.

Before I forget ... a million thanks to Carole for sharing an invite with me to Ravelry. It's the perfect thing for me to organize my stash, projects, needles, and such. I also love that I've met some new "friends" through it. If you read my blog and you're in Ravelry, make sure you link me as a "friend" so I can see who you are. If you're not on Ravelry and you've signed up, don't panic, you will be part of it very soon!