Knitting: Icarus Shawl washed & blocked

I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since I last posted. Eek! Well, I have been busy.... busy riding the knitting mojo wave and making the most of it while it lasts. Seriously, you will not believe how much I have knit in the past few weeks. Oodles!

Here's the first of a long line of FOs and I'll post piccies of the rest as and when I get a moment.

I'm so pleased with this shawl and will definitely knit one for myself in 4ply or sockyarn. I have to admit that I'm a little less than thrilled with the yarn. There wasn't much give when blocking this shawl, unlike the FCS. Perhaps it's because the yarn was a laceweight single ply as opposed to the 4ply sockyarn that I used for FCS. Well, whatever. I think it looks great, even though the points are not as pointy!

I blocked it as hard as I could and hopefully my ISE6 pal will like it. For more information and details about this pattern, check out my Flickr photostream.

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Magknits Pattern Archives

I was trying to find a Magknits pattern earlier today via Google Cache but I couldn't. I did eventually find what I wanted via 'archive.org' where a copy of each issue of Magknits up to August 2007 has been saved. Here's how it works:

Go to www.archive.org and type www.magknits.com in the search box.

The search results will literally be a list of dates that are displayed in a table. It doesn't look like much but by clicking on one of the dates you will be redirected to an archived copy of that issue of Magknits.

Unless you want to visit each issue of Magknits that has been archived, try to find the publication date of the pattern you're looking for. You can do this by doing a Google search for Magknits [+pattern-name].

Once you have the publication date, go back to archive.com and click on the date in the table. This will redirect you to an archived copy of that issue of Magknits.

From there you simply click on the Pattern button in the header to see the patterns for that issue. I haven't checked every single issue, but what I've seen so far looks just like it did when the magazine was live.

NB You won't be able to navigate from one issue of Magknits to the next in the archive. You will have to access each issue via www.archive.org.

There may be a quicker way out there to find an archived copy of a particular pattern or issue, as each web page that is published has its own unique address or URL and if I find one I'll share it.

Bernie x

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Comfort Shawl (knitting daily)

I finally got round to blocking the Comfort Shawl by Sandi Wiseheart on Knitting Daily, which I started 6 weeks ago. If only I had actually been 'knitting daily', it would have been finished a lot sooner. Never mind. It will be winging its way to Spain this week.

This shawl was my first dip into lace shawl knitting and it gave me the confidence and motivation to try something more involved... namely the Icarus Shawl and Forest Canopy Shawl!

I wanted to retain a comfortable and casual feel and the Denim Aran was perfect for this. Plus at over 230 yds per 100g ball, and having only used 1 1/2 balls, it was a very affordable knit. The yarn is a blend of acrylic (60%) cotton (25%) and wool (15%) so it isn't a complete affront to yarn snobs!! ;) I am pleased that the shawl has blocked so well considering it isn't 100% wool.

It seems that I am on a roll at the moment and have found my knitting mojo. Does anybody fancy a rub?

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ISE6: Forest Canopy Shawl finished

Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once more... I absolutely adore this pattern and can't recommend it enough as a great beginners lace shawl project. It would also make a quick knit for more experienced lace knitters.

To my surprise, my non-attention span coped with the pattern repeat. I took my time and completed the shawl in two weeks. I imagine the next one will fly off the needles (she says hopefully!).

FCS grows pretty quickly and I can't wait to start another one using DK weight yarn and bigger needles.

Blocking this shawl was fun, if a little bit of a challenge. I've never blocked a triangle shawl before and I got there in the end thanks to Yarnharlot, Eunnyjang and Morehouse Merino.

I do hope my ISE pal will like it.

• Pattern: Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl by Susan Pierce Lawrence
  Needles: 4.5mm circular needles, knit loosely
  Yarn: 100g of GeminiKnits sockyarn in 'Pacific', 75g used
  Pattern repeats: Twelve
  Blocked size: 51" x 21"

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Craftster journal swap, 2nd journal made

Check out the 2nd journal I made for the Craftster 'Make me a journal' swap. This was made especially for 'Karia' who didn't receive a journal from her spoiler. Hopefully it should have arrived by now and she will like it.

I also included an empty sweety box which I filled with ideas and journalling prompts for days when inspiration is lacking. I downloaded the ideas sheet from www.milliande.com and printed them out onto coloured paper. Milliande.com is a fun resource for art and writing stuff. Check it out if you get a mo.

I'm getting better at the coptic stitch binding and I used STR wool to bind this journal instead of embroidery thread. The stitch definition is much better with a thicker yarn or thread. There are more details about the journal on my Flickr page. Thanks for looking. x

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Knitting: Shawls & Caplets (with PHOTOS)

I recently finished the 'Comfort Shawl' for my mum. When mum fell and broke her arm and leg a few weeks ago, I immediately wanted to knit her something. I knew she needed a bed jacket that she could wear with the ease of a shawl. Thanks to the clever shaping of the 'Comfort Shawl' it sits comfortably on your shoulders. It was an enjoyable knit and I especially liked how it was constructed. I will try to post some photos later when things are a little quieter here.

Mum has had both of her casts removed - the leg cast was rmoved after 4 weeks and the arm after 6 weeks. Amazing! She's like a giant bandaid and heals so quickly. Lucky woman. The weather is still a little cool in the evenings in Spain so she should be able to get a couple of months wear out of the shawl before putting it away for the Autumn/Winter.

With my new found confidence for shawl knitting, I decided it was time to tackle something bigger. So after a bit of investigation, I chose the Icarus Shawl from The Best of Interweave Knits (the one on the cover). I'm about 25% in, using a laceweight merino yarn that I bought last year from Ebay (I think the seller was called 'Yarn Wise'). I am enjoying knitting this top down shawl and it feels right, you know what I mean?

Not happy with one WIP on the needles, I cast on the Forest Canopy Shawl this morning which I purchased and downloaded yesterday. I'm knitting this in 'Gemini Knits' sockyarn and the pattern is so easy to follow (I can see how more experienced knitters find this a 'quick' knit). What was I so afraid of?


Thankfully both of these shawls are progressing well so far. I clearly wasn't ready for lace shawls last year. Maybe this year I am!

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Cellulitis

I've just been to the Doctor as I have had pain, swelling, redness and heat in my thigh since last Thursday. Turns out I have Cellulitis.

In the past 4 days it has spread from the size of a 10p piece to practically the front of my left thigh! I can't believe how much it hurts, and the heat coming off this thing is as bad as sunburn!

We have just been to the chemist to pick up my antibiotics and I'm off to rest now as I feel a little euck! I am assured that the infection will respond quickly to the antibiotics - usually within taking 4 tablets. The nurse has kindly drawn a lovely outline around the infected area so that we can check if it's spreading or not.

More soon and maybe even a photo! Just need to find the batteries for the camera. Lol!

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With Wool Winder I Wound Wool!!!

It's the little things in life that make me happy. Grape Hyacinths in Spring; Little Miss CB's sleeping face; yarncakes. YARNCAKES??? Yup. Yarncakes! I love yarncakes. They're just so darn pretty!

Anyway, I got off to a shaky start due to a slight technical hitch with the winder. See the photo? The grey and white cogs aren't meshing at all and they should be. I bent the metal bar with my pliers so that the grey cog tipped forward to touch the white one and this fixed the problem.....

.....and as you can see from the pretty yarncake, it's working fine now. Sigh! Isn't she lovely. :)

So big thanks to some extremely helpful online friends with the same model. They took the time to take photos and post them online so that I could compare their model to mine. Thanks ladies!

Time to wind me some wool. I think Katie and I shall be fighting over who gets to crank the handle! ;)

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Have Wool Winder... Will Wind Wool

Yay! My Wool Winder arrived this morning. I bought it off ebay for a tenner at the weekend. Finally I can wind my beautiful skeins into pretty yarncakes.


I had intended to buy one at auction but I got so impatient waiting for the auctions to end and after being out bid on a few occasions I asked nay begged Mr CB if I could just buy one. He obliged, naturally!!! ;) (hmm, what's he after?)

Off to wind some wool now. You may not see or hear from me for quite a while (unless it all goes horribly wrong and I end up in a tangled fibery mess). Anything is possible so fingers crossed!

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March Swap - Fat Quarters

And finally.... the last post for today is a picture of the fabric that I received from my swap pal as part of the March swap on the CTnY forum.

I received 3 gorgeous Fat Quarters that coordinate with each other, as well as some pretty beads and buttons keeping with the theme.


Everything was tied up in a pretty red ribbon. The 'sheep' on the tag must be the clue to my spoiler who I think was Franney, but will have to double check.


The little pink and black box is adorable. I'm guessing my pal made this. We've only ever made mini boxes out of recycled Christmas cards so they've never looked that great. I'm really impressed with this little pink and black number so will have to keep it in mind next time I make one.

I was late sending out my package to my swap pal but hopefully it will make it there safely before the end of next week (fingers crossed)!

And now I am officially up to date with all swaps etc..

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Fabric Covered Easter Egg, No2

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was making some 'fresh' fabric covered egg decorations for our home as the last batch I made were about 4 yrs old and a little manky.

As it turned out I managed to make two which I then sent to live elsewhere. The pink & blue egg below was sent to Hanne in Finland, as part of her Round Robin bag for March. It arrived with her a couple of days late for Easter but I think it was still appreciated.


The pink tasselled egg from this post was given to my FILs partner 'C'.

I might have run out of time due to bad planning, but at least I've got a headstart on next years Easter decorations. There's plenty of time and fabric leftover to make decorations for our own home.

How's that for a positive spin. My therapist would be proud!!! ;)

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ISE6 - Yarn Purchased

The yarn I ordered before Easter arrived yesterday, all beautifully wrapped and packed. Two yarn cakes of 4ply merino sock yarn from Sarah (Gemini Knits) in various shades of blue, blue and blue!

Sarah is lovely and extremely helpful, even winding the skeins into lovely center pull balls for me (I really don't enjoy winding skeins of 4ply yarn by hand off the back of a chair!)


Blue seems to be the dominant colour on the ISE6 blog so far and I'm amazed at the progress some people have already made!


Now, as per usual, I will be 'umming' and 'awing' for the next few days trying to decide which colourway to use for my pal's scarf. Time to knit me some swatches!

TTFN

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