surfacing & a new kal ~ posted by Melissa

 

As promised, it's time to catch up!  Lots going on at home so there has been little time for blogging.  Thanks again to everyone who posted in May about their Shetland Shawls ~ they were all amazing and it was so much fun to follow everyone's progress.  I think there are 3 knitters left who have yet to finish, but I know at least 2 of them are really, really close to being done.  So, let's keep the ball rolling and start thinking about the next knitalong.  We've missed Jared Flood and are going to do another of his wonderful patterns, QUILL , to keep in the Shetland tradition.  Here's the link to the page (also on the sidebar) with all the info!.  Add a comment if you're joining us and you're a repeat guest blogger, and if you're new send me a note on Ravelry and I'll get your info from you there.

 

Now to explain my absence during the May KAL.  No excuses.  I had the yarn wound, beads picked out, needles at the ready...but I lacked the motivation to cast on.  Then day after day your beautiful finished shawls were posted and I kept thinking 'today is the day I get started', but I still couldn't seem to muster the excitement.  Finally towards the end of May, I buckled down and cast on.  I knit for 2 days, beads and everything.  And then I took a look at my work and...yuck.  So with a pang of guilt, I ripped it out and decided not to beat myself up about not participating this time around.  Take my word for it ~ it was not pretty.  'Hot Mess' kept popping into my head the entire time I knit it (it was madelinetosh yarn, you know, so it was definitely a HOT mess!). 

 

I was productive in May, though, and up to things unfamiliar and unlike me! 

 

 I entered a photo contest for the first time.  Two photos, each with a caption ~ and that's all I'm going to share right now.  I wrestled with some self-doubt and waited til the final hours to submit my pictures, but they have been sent and received and now it's a waiting game til August to find out how I did.  Regardless of the outcome, the hurdle for me was entering at all so I'm proud!

 

I knit a just-released shawl pattern:

 

 

...and then immediately knit another with leftover scraps from other projects:

 

 

Pattern : Sandness by Gudrun Johnston (Wool People 5)

(for more information, project links are above each photo)

 

I also dipped into the 'almost finished basket' and completed this lovely:

 

 

Pattern : Smocked Lace Wrap from Churchmouse Yarns & Teas

 

And after knitting two of the same shawl, I started a pair of socks (shocker!!!).  After all, I can't really use my standard 'I don't like to make the same thing twice' excuse anymore as the reason I don't knit them.  And how could I not cast on a pair, after our blogging friend Jeff was so nice (!) to send me this wild skein from his trip to Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival:

 

 

  Thanks, Jeff!!!!  And here's proof that this is really happening:

 

 

But that's only one sock, Melissa...  I can hear you all thinking that :)

 

I just finished it this morning and true to my word, I have already cast on it's mate:

 

These socks are fun, fun, fun (although not a beginner pattern - there's much that's intuitive or implied) and after struggling a bit with the first one, the other will be a breeze (my massive note taking will certainly help!)

 

Pattern : Aquaphobia Socks by Crystal Flanagan (the link is to my project page on Ravelry)

 

I think that's everything noteworthy that I have to share.  I probably won't resurface until the start of the next knitalong ~ we've been prepping for fence staining and house painting for weeks and the crew, weather permitting, will be here tomorrow to get started.  So, until then, happy knitting and see you soon for Quill!

 

~ Melissa