The feats and foibles of a fiber fanatic.
6/2/2005
It’s been nearly a month since I’ve reported on the knit-a-longs here…
Myself, I have just not been in a lace knitting mood, or at least not in a “read a chart” lace knitting mood so I’ve made NO progress whatsoever on my Shaped Triangle Shawl.
However, we’ve had several additions to the participant list for the Gathering of Lace Along in the last month, so don’t forget to check out their blogs. Not to mention, Melissa M has completed two projects, the Super Spiral Shawl and the Feather and Fan Shawl for her grandmother. She’s not stopping there, she is already working on Frost Flowers! She definitely gets the blue ribbon for most projects!
Also, don’t miss the progress photo of Amy’s Frost Flowers that will serve as a huppah for her brother’s wedding (what a cool idea)! Her blog is brand new, so stop by and say hi to her!
As far as Spearfish Madness, people are still trucking a long and we’ve even had a few recent additions over there as well. The biggest news is that Clemintine did indeed make her deadline to have them done to gift to her BF’s mother for Mother’s Day. This week we had another completed pair added to the line up, this pair of Spearfish socks are a fun “coordinating” pair from Paula.
Both of these KALs are low-key, low-pressure KALs so you are welcome to join either one. There are directions on the pages for each on how to join in.
5/4/2005
After a week or so slump, the Spearfish blog is alive and thriving this week, with Ann finishing her pair of socks, before Anita in their own private race. Paula and Clementine each have one sock completed and are on their way on the second sock. Clementine has set a goal for Sunday evening, as she is going to gift them to her BF’s mum! Good luck, Clementine!
In the Gathering of Lace Along we have some new members - some new to lace, some veterans. We’re at ten people total, including myself and my co-host, Snow. Some are still swatching and choosing yarns or patterns. Others are incredibly frustrated 
It isn’t too late to join the fun! I’ve been so focused on Skyway Scoop that I haven’t gotten any farther on my Shaped Triangle.
Speaking of Skyway Scoop - she looks the same as yesterday (just scroll down), except perhaps the stitches along the neck line are a little stretched out. I knit on the neckline (all ~45-46 inches around) only to rip it last evening. I was devastated, but I was having an incredibly crappy day. Thanks to helpful suggestions and kind words from friends I’m doing better today. Though I may leave Skyway Scoop in the time out corner for today and focus on getting the pattern written up, properly sketched electronically and extrapolated into the other sizes. Just let myself calm down further. I’m still a little wound up from yesteday’s goings on…
I did take a little field trip to Target yesterday to pick up Gilmore Girls Season 3 and did a little impulse shopping/retail therapy. Spring Squatty found a friend…
It looks so good! It is smaller than my previous tri-fold wallet that was black and stuck out like a sore thumb as it sort of peaked out. This one tucks in completely and coordinates with the bag. Plus, it has a large section that has all kinds of accordioned sections so I can sort out all those frequent shopper cards etc. I also love the detail in the zipper pulls. They had a lot of really cute and compact wallets/coin purses in fun spring colors.
Also, while there, I saw that Debbie Macomber’s book, The Shop on Blossom Street was out in paperback and 25% off MSRP, so I picked that up as well. By bedtime, the day had sucked so bad that I couldn’t make myself read the book club book, so I decided I deserved reading something I enjoyed and before I knew it was 100 pages in! There will be more over in Culture Catalog in the next few days probably.
Lastly, much thanks to Margene for bestowing the honor of “Zen Blog of the Week” - my stats have gone through the roof! I some of you peeking in here will come back!
4/21/2005
Okay, I already posted easrlier that the A Gathering of Lace KAL is official. So far there are only three of us so there is plenty of room for you too!
I cast on for my Shaped Triangle on Tuesday, but yesterday had me away from home at DH’s work most of the day and not feeling real well aftwards and today has been crazy, so I’m only at row 16. But, it is a start and I can say that I am liking my Helen’s Lace and I think it will look quite lovely. So far there doesn’t appear to be much in the way of pooling, flashing or striping (crosses fingers that the trend continues). I’ll have a pic when there is more worth photographing.
I suppose now that I’m knitting a real shawl it’ll be time for me to finally purchase some blocking wires, huh? Man, this has been quite the week for becoming an adult knitter! LOL!
On the Spearfish KAL front, we have another pair of completed Spearfish in handpainted Opal, this time in a turquiose colorway. Check them out, and congratulate Azhar on her beautiful socks!
Remember, the contest portion has been won, so the pressure is off and it is now an ordinary KAL. So, if you have the Spearfish pattern join us at http://designedlykristi.typepad.com/spearfishmadness
4/11/2005
Just in case you missed all the excitement over at Spearfish Sock Madness over the weekend, we have two completed pairs! One pair of redish ones in a handpainted Opal sock yarn and a pair of blue ones in Trekking XXL! Cece was the official winner, coming in just a couple hours ahead of Shannon (another fellow CO knitter). Go check them out and congratulate them! The WIP Spearfish look great as well. Now, it is officially a KAL rather than a contest. So, the pressure is off and you many join us to go Spearfishing at any time!
I am impressed at how the lace elements are standing up against the handpainted or multi-color sock yarns. Perhaps I will use that Bearfoot I had bought to use for my own pair of Spearfish that ended up being a much darker yarn that I had thought…
The tea and yarn shopping was great on Saturday and I’ll report more about that later. In other news, it is Stitch ‘n Bitch night tonight! We hope to see you there
knittingfool @ 9:23 am ::
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4/5/2005
Because I could not in good conscience make yet another post without a NEW picture, I present to you, 1/2 of a Squatty Sidekick from Avant Knits. Now, if you aren’t currently having hand/wrist issues this is a really quick knit because it will ultimately be fulled. It is totally adorable! Don’t let my slightly garish colors scare you! If you are in the area, her original rosy one is on display at Woolen Treasures.
Alas, yesterday way was first quater sales tax book keeping day for me, along with finishing my long procrastinated book club research, so there was no knitting for me yesterday. That was probably ultimately goos as I think that was the first day since this last flare that I can honestly say I didn’t not pick up the needles at all.
Since I’m posting today you can see I wasn’t lynched at book club last night. Though I have to say it was the smallest turn out this year I think, with only 5, not including myself and the librarian who heads it up. I’ll be posting about it later today, if you wish to follow the link there on the left to my book LJ.
The Speafishing Heats Up!
We’ve had a pretty exciting begining to the Spearfish contest! The farthest progress photo I’ve seen is Shannon, who evidently had a bout of insomnia and is well into the instep now. Cece has wrapped up the lacy cuff and with her jet set life I’m sure is much farther. I know there are a few others who have cast on, but aren’t sharing pictures yet. And, in case you missed the excitement over the weekend, Ann and Anita have a little side bet going. This is definitely not a boring contest by any means!
knittingfool @ 9:32 am ::
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4/1/2005
Well, it is certainly spring around these parts - drastic temperature and overall weather changes take a toll on me. Then, I’m in overachiever mode and working myself 12 hours a day all week long. Sometimes being your own boss isn’t all it is cracked up to be
So, I’m afraid I’m kind of lacking in the knitting department at the moment. I had planned to make a pattern designed by Amanda (is it okay to give our your URL yet?) yesterday. It’s an adorable little felted purse that is a real quick project and I happened to have just the yarn I needed in my stash etc. However, when I got puppy food for dear Emma yesterday I must have grabbed it oddly and it tweaked out my wrist and the tendinitis is acting up so I did no knitting. 
However, it does seem that Stephanie aka Yarn Harlot has made an appearance in Ft. Collins! Yep, I got a copy of her new book, At Knit’s End at Barnes & Noble last night. I’ve only skimmed it a bit, but it looks to be as witty and enjoyable as her blog. And, I love the size - it’s so portable!
Also, due to my wrist issues yesterday and today I’m a little behind in adding the participants for 
, but I’ll be doing an update later this afternoon. Don’t forget, to qualify you need to sign-up so you have posting access to the blog, as the first to post their completed PAIR to the blog will be the winner! Good luck!
knittingfool @ 1:03 pm ::
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3/30/2005
Remember these? Well, to celebrate my completion of the pattern I’m going to hold a contest…
The first person to finish a pair will win two skeins of Lang Jawoll Superwash in any color you choose that is available from TheKnitter.com at the completion of your pair of socks.
Pattern Specs…
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Sizes: 7 (8, 9) in Ankle Circumference
- Yarn Requirements: 2 Skeins Lang Jawoll Superwash (8331) shown, approximately 400 yds of fingering weight sock yarn that knits in St st to a gauge of 9 sts/in will work
I’ve also included a full-color sock wrapper (minus my large logo) that features the same waterfall image I used when I mailed them out for Sockapalooza. After printing, just add your name and care instructions and they are all set to gift to someone!
For full pattern details, see http://designedlykristi.com/shoppingcart/product_info.php?products_id=65
Available for immediate download with PayPal payment for $4.50, additional fees apply for printed versions.
An added bonus, the first 5 people to e-mail me at spearfish(AT)designedlykristi(DOT)com to sign-up for this contest will get the pattern for free!
I have also set up a blog for the contest at http://designedlykristi.typepad.com/spearfishmadness/. You’ll find the official rules there as well. Once you e-mail me to sign up, you’ll be added to the author list there and can post progress reports, ask questions etc.
What are you waiting for?
