No turning back... by guest blogger Penny

 

I am fairly certain Carolyn will be joining us. Her daughter and family are in town, it's not likely she'll choose knitting over the grandkids. C has yarn, and when I find out what it is, I'll post it for her. 100% guaranteed she won't do it, the stinker.

(Mel's Streusel looks tidier than mine. I wonder if I'm doing something wrong? Hmmm?)

It's a dilemma... by guest blogger Penny, Penny, Penny!

Which streusel do I want to make?

This...

or this? 

I've decided -- I'll make the "treasure". 

Thank you for the opportunity

to join in your 5th year anniversary KAL!

A pleasure to be doing this KAL - guest blogger Penny

Oct 14: I am re-posting photos, since Melissa and I decided this particular yarn would show off the pattern better against a dark background.

I'll add a photo of Carolyn and I together when she's done. In the mean time, this is my finished "Rachel's Shawl".  

Sept 26 update: Just dawned on me that I ought to post a photo of the test "Rachel's Shawl" that I did for Melissa. The pattern was flawless, as far as I could tell, but I noticed she removed the markers in the one I bought. The original pattern is special -- I like markers even if they do creep around. 

I'm for sure going to make a third shawl after this -- something prettier. It's such a pleasant pattern. We got a lot of bang for our buck with this one Melissa, and YOU did yourself proud. Looking forward to seeing them all. 

Go Hawks!

FYI: Carolyn is also doing this KAL. She's lovin' it!

Looks richer/darker in person!

Go Mariners!

Guest blogger -- Penny

Happy to be doing a KAL again -- especially this one. I've been itching to make another Rachel's Shawl and now I have an incentive. I wonder if Carolyn would like to join us? I'll ask her. She just started back to work/school and might be too pooped by evening/weekends. Still, she needs a suitable diversion. :)

We just returned from Colorado. The trip ate a hole in my charity project time, but I'm well under way again. I need to find some yarn first. I was successful buying on ebay recently. Perhaps I'll check there first.

Happy Knitting! I bet Melissa is half finished with her Rachel KAL. Fess up girl.

UPDATE: As you can see... I selected my yarn. I bought it recently at Maker's Mercantile in Kent. I knitted the last KAL with Schoppel and like how it turned out. It will be interesting. I wanted to do something in 8 - 10 ply, but what the heck. Fingers crossed. Will probably CO tonight. :)

edited by Mel (hope you don't mind Penny!) : since I just posted about the kal last night and the post is buried now I'm adding the link to the pattern we're doing : Rachel's Shawl can be found here ~ the link works even if you're not a Ravelry member but you do have to use paypal for purchase. Additional knitalong info can be found here!!

Finished -- guest blogger Penny

Not only is it finished, but I wore it to church this morning, and why it looks a bit rumpled on the hanger. Thanks for inviting me to join in the KAL, Melissa. Eager to see all the other shawls.

Guest blogger Penny - question...

Hi guys and gals... I need some help.

I didn't do 11 rows of the fir cone lace repeat, because I was concerned about running out of yarn, so I knitted 10 and my numbers are different from the directions (at the end of each row). It's worked out fine, up until the lace edging.

Edging... I finished rows 7 & 8 and my count was what it should be. However, after knitting the 9th row I did not end up with increases. The count was the same as 7 & 8. I'm thinking I've done something wrong. I've traced each stitch to the end several times, and even re-knitted it twice. I still end up with no increases. I'm going crazy!!!

Have I made a mistake somewhere, or are there no increases for the next few rows? I notice I keep doing the same pattern on 9, 11, & 13.

I'm soooo close to being done, and excited to block it, because I bought Carolyn and I "real" blocking wires. In the past I've done it the hard way -- one pin at a time. Too laborious.

Thank you in advance for your input. I have a sinking feeling I'm going to be "un-knitting" again. Groan.

Update: 5/24

I'm done!!! Look how strange the colors look on these ABC blocks compared to the shawl before it was blocked. Of course, the photo was taken indoors at night. I'll post a proper picture when it is dry.

What an interesting experience -- this KAL. Thanks for your help and encouragement everyone.

Dave grumbled because I am supposed to be editing a children's book and not knitting, so I have promised him the book has priority. Better put the needles away, or be a closet knitter when he's not home. Tee hee!

isn't she grand!?! ~ posted by Melissa

Do you guys remember Penny, my very talented artistic friend?  If not, let me introduce you to her:

This is Penny, who come to find out has a heart of gold as big as the stack of hats she's holding.  And that's a mighty big stack ~ 33 caps, to be exact.  Penny and I have a friendship made in heaven ~ I had an enormous bag of leftover yarn from finished knits that was always meant to be turned into some sort of charity project, but could never find the time to make a dent in it.  Penny knits hats for charity and has lots of time but had run out of yarn.  So, about a month ago the bag of yarn changed hands, and those hands on the receiving end got busy and with needles still smoking, Penny delivered this giant mountain of love to her local homeless shelter yesterday.  And you can bet they were thrilled ~ and encouraged Penny to come back with more, which as you can tell from the grin on her face, does not break her heart!

Penny, you rock!  Thanks for putting the yarn to such good use and I know the people that benefit from your kindness during the upcoming chilly months will appreciate their warm noggins and all your hard work.  I'm so glad to know you!   ~ Melissa

If you've joined Ravelry, Penny is an honorary member of the knitwits ~ her rav name is knitwitless if you want to check out the project she created for these hats.

Friends in high places

I'll make this one short and sweet and let the artwork speak for itself ~ encourage those around you to do the things they love and you never know what you'll get back in return.

Thanks, Penny ~ I can't wait to find a place of honor in the knitting attic when it's time to decorate.  You are amazing!

Melissa