10 June 2013

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!
 
 
 
...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 


34 comments:

  1. Holy knitted goodness. I am so excited about the Quill of course I am in! Good luck with your pictures. Oh and those knits you made are just stunning. Makes me want to start so many new projects!

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    1. thanks all around, Andee! I'm buckling down and NOT casting on anything new before the 21st ~ I've got a few things that are so close to being done & I want to finish them

      and then there's that second sock :)

      can't wait to knit with you again!

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  2. Darn... I just wrote a bunch here and then looked at one of your links and poo -- it's all gone.

    I'm just going to say WOO HOO!!! regarding the socks. So happy for you and love the yarn colors. Don't they feel awesome? And... the Kitchener stitch is a miracle. Nice job on that.

    I'll let Carolyn know you are "one of us" now. Socks can be addicting.

    Proud of you girl.

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    1. don't know if I'm to the 'addictive' point just yet ~ check back with me when #2 is done and see if I've cast on another pair

      that will be the true test ~ ha!

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    2. You make one pair, you will probably make another, only fancier.

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  3. Okay -- I do want to add that the Smocked Lace Wraps is wonderful. Nicely done.

    Sandness looks compelling, except that I can't justify buying that much yarn when I have nine grandchildren who suck the life out of my budget. K... I can use scraps. I'll think about it. VERY nice.

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    1. the scrap bag you're getting from me has the multicolored shawl yarn in it so you may be able to pull some of it to make yourself one...I weighed each section (look at my Ravery notes)so you could piece one together with what you may have already & what you're getting from me and not have to buy too much :)

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    2. Um... that is yarn for the "homeless" hats. I would feel guilty. Sheesh.

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    3. I could dig some out and label it 'Penny' and give you TWO bags :)

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    4. Perhaps. On the other hand, I do have a lot of yarn and I bet I can scrounge up enough from my stash.

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  4. Quill! Never gonna happen. LOL (hugs)

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    1. Are you sick of me yet? Hey, here is how lame I am. I just cast on for the Bias-Scarf. I have been wanting to make another. But I was a saint and taught my niece how to knit over the weekend, took her shopping and bought yarn, etc. She's set for a while. Crappy yarn -- so I am not proud of that. She is making a hat and then the Bias. Nice beginning. Check out my blog. I took pics.

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  5. Definitely in for the Quill KAL. It's a pattern I have been wanting to make for awhile. Love your Sandness shawls! You have inspired me to get out all my Felted Tweed leftovers - I may just make one like yours! :) Good luck with your photography contest, and "bravo" for entering!!

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    1. glad to have you back, Sue! I promise I won't pick up my toys and go home this time :)

      and thanks about the shawls ~ it's a wonderfully simple pattern for when you need a little mindless knitting!

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  6. Congratulations on your photos Melissa, they are wonderful. It goes without saying that I drool over every knit that comes off your needles. You have an amazing talent and I love all of your creations.
    Now, I have two Leaves of Grass that I'm working on and Sandness just waiting, and am now wondering if I should cast on Quill? Maybe, I'll let you know.

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    1. you're so nice, Tracey :) ~ that goes both ways...I love your projects and photos (and your blog, too!)

      don't overload yourself with Quill if you're not sure...we'd love to have you knit with us but we'll always have another kal waiting in the wings! let me know, though!

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  7. well, i'm definitely no where near finished my shetland triangle! i've hardly had any time to knit with work taking over my life, but that will change come July 1. thank goodness!

    and i LOVE LOVE LOVE your sock (soon to be socks). totally FIERCE! way to go!!!! i'll be casting on my next pair of these bad boys next month with a skein of Wullenstudio Superwash Sock Merino Nyon in the colorway Desperado (for those Rav folks out there, you can take a look at http://www.ravelry.com/people/JeffInAmbler/stash/superwash-sock-merino-nylon).

    i can't wait for work to die down so i can start knitting again!

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    1. you were not one of the 2 Shetlanders I listed as 'almost finished' :)

      I hope work does slow down just a bit ~ I miss you around here and on Rav & I'm dying for news of the Great Wheel and your progress!

      and many thanks again for the sock yarny goodness you sent ~ it has started a fire under my feet :)))

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  8. I'm in to knit Quill... I've been traveling the west coast. Chat soon.

    Kel

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  9. I'm out for Quill, as it just doesn't appeal. Great work on some fantastic knitting! I love both of the Sandness-es...And I just couldn't resist buying the pattern for the smocked lace during our Yarn Shop Hop this past April ;) I don't know when I'll be casting on, but be sure that it is coming!

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    1. you'll love the smocking, Kelly ~ it was great fun!

      I'll keep you posted on that other thing we were talking about :)

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  10. I so want in but I won't get my yarn for this for another 3-4 weeks from the plucky knitter. When does the KAL begin and how long doesn't it last?

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    1. hi, syknits ~ check the page link above for all the details if you haven't already

      start date is 06-21-13 (summer solstice) ~ never an end date...we're an easy-going bunch :)

      and like I said, I don't have yarn yet and this is a big project ~ some people will finish in the blink of an eye and others of us will finish, well, whenever we finish!

      you're more than welcome to join ~ pm me on ravelry and I'll let you know what I need from you!
      Melissa

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    2. haha ~ Steph I didn't know this was you! I'm glad you're going to knit with us! you will have fun :))

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    3. I am really excited about this. I have been wanting to knit this for a while and after taking a class in hap shawls at VKL, I am totally.. I just need my stinking yarn for this project:)

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    4. you can share about your hap class when you do your first post, Steph ~ I'd love to hear about it and who the teacher was

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    5. Sounds good, I will. I am going to pm you with a different email address because I couldn't find the email, even after looking in the spam folder. I am so excited to see what colors every picks for the project, and the comeraderie!

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  11. Wild sock yarn, perfect for you! How nice of Jeff.

    Can't wait to hear more about the photo contest, you should do great.

    I just ordered Loft for my Quill, not sure when it'll arrive? I'm excited.

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    1. I'm not sure what I'll use ~ I need to go shopping

      are you doing solid or multi-colored?

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  12. looks like you've been knitting socks forever :) Love the sock yarn!!!

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    1. thanks, Karen ~ I don't feel like I've been doing socks forever quite yet :)

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  13. i'm glad to hear i wasn't the only one who couldn't get her act together for the May KAL. i still have the yarn out but no idea when i'll CO!

    that Smocked Lace Wrap is *gorgeous* though - good for you for finishing it!

    and i love that colorway of Into The Whirled. so fun!

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