Well I've been playing with the Misti

I decided that I could use a scarf more than another shawl. I swatched a few patterns that didn't really please me. I love the colors of this yarn, but they do fight with a lot of stitch patterns. They remind me (in a good way) of tree bark and lichens. So I finally settled on this (you can click the picture to make it big).

To me, the pattern definition shows up a little better in the picture than in real life. I should note that this is not a cable pattern. It's formed with yarn overs and decreases. On slightly larger needles, in a solid color and blocked hard it might look sort of lacy. As is, I'm going with subtle texture.

This is the chart I came up with. I repeated Rows 1-10 three times, then 11-20 three times, then 1-10 3x, then 11-20 3x, and so on.

(can also click to make bigger)

I'm actually working on 67 stitches, repeating the sections between the vertical red lines. Also, it's a bit fiddly to reposition markers between Rows 10 & 11, but worth it.

So....

I've got a little over 800 yds of lace weight Misti Baby Alpaca (and very pretty it is). The question now is what to do with it? "Lace Shawl" seems like the obvious answer, but I'm not sure I need one. Any other ideas, anyone? In the meantime I guess I'll swatch a little and see if the yarn talks to me.

Note to self: stop and think a little before your next impulse purchase.

In the meantime, I am 3/4 of the way through the edging on the jazzy blanket. Plain garter stitch in black Knit Picks "Stroll".

I ordered twice what it's turning out to need. In my defense, I had initially though I might do a wider border, but once I got going I liked the look of a narrower one.

From the Anglo-Norman"Dormeus" Which Means "Sleepy One"

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/video-dormouse-snores-while-sleeping-zookeeper-hand-222847067.html

What shall I call
My dear little dormouse?
His eyes are small,
But his tail is e-nor-mouse.

from "The Christening" by A.A. Milne

Another Extremely Colorful Project

Since winter finally did arrive in Wisconsin, I needed another pair of thick socks. The pattern is absolutely plain Jane; but the yarn choice (1 strand of solid Opal and 1 strand of hand painted Trekking), well, the colors might help keep my feet warm all by themselves.

Of course, much of this brightness will be hidden under 1) legwarmers, 2) long johns and 3) jeans, in that order from the skin out.

BTW - a wave, a smile and a "Thank You" to all who have commented recently. After such a long time away from the blog it's nice for me to hear from you.

Feeling the Kauni Love

A few weeks ago I was in The Sow's Ear, and totally on impulse picked up a ball of Kauni in the bright rainbow colorway. I'd admired this yarn from afar, but never used it before.

Being the impatient type that I am, I grabbed a likely sized circular needle, figured that I would have enough yarn for a shawlette/capelette and cast on for a top down something that would either be a wearable object or a very large swatch.

I used a tab start (first time for me) and sort of winged it for the shaping, which I wanted to be semi-circular, only more than a half circle so it would fit over the shoulders better. After an initial stockinette-with-a-couple-of-garter-rows section I switched to some modifications of pattern stitches from Waterman's Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls.

I got lucky. Things worked out well.

(I only wish I could claim to have knit the Aran sweater under my wearable swatch, but that was made in Ireland.)

You Know That Thing Where You Make a Project to Use up Stash

and then have to buy yarn to complete it? I may be there.

I finished off the body of the jazzy blanket, but it needs a border. And I think a solid color would be best, probably black or dark gray (since black can be a pain to work with).

Don't think I have enough of either color on hand in the right weight - or of any solid, for that matter. Hmmmm.