Kilkenny Cable Shawl

Wow! Some things take a long time to knit. This was one of those projects that seemed to go on forever. Partly because this shawl is pretty warm on your lap and knitting it in warm weather was enough to remind me of the all too familiar "hot flashes" I experienced a few years back.
The shawl pattern is from Cheryl Oberle's, Folk Shawls book. I love the shawls in that book and when I saw a fellow knitter, Cathy, modeling hers a few retreats back, I knew I had to knit it. I knit it smaller and narrower than the pattern called for. The yarn is Black Water Abbey's, colorway Bracken. I think this will keep me pretty cozy this winter.
Thanks go to Karen for taking the photos. She is such a good photographer. The photos were taken at my favorite knit shop, Knit Knack in old town Arvada. I love the shop and our little group of friendly and gracious knitters.

Finally....Two Sweaters I Love....

I love to knit, but I don't always love the finished project. I love these two sweaters. They are comfortable and they fit great. I started the brown pullover last Fall when I was on our knitting retreat in Buena Vista. Marilyn King brings such lovely patterns and yarn, couldn't resist this vnecked pullover by CHIC knits. It's called the Mondo Cable Pulli, it also comes with a cardigan version. I bought brown tweed Himalayan yarn at Serendipity and started it and completed it in just a few weeks. I loved that it was knit in one piece, NO SEAMS......yea!!!!

The second sweater, the turquoise cardigan is from one of the best books ever, a fine fleece by lisa lloyd. The pattern is called Amanda (happens to be my grandaughter's name as well). The yarn I used was a great yarn swap purchase from my dear friend Christie's stash, it is called Dream in Color Classy in the colorway Blue Lagoon. It is a wonderful handspun with wonderful color varigation and is smooshy soft. It has a wonderful textured stitch repetition through out the body of the sweater. I fell in love with the shawl collar, but it took forever to complete all the short rows.

So there you have it, two sweaters I love. The year 2010 is starting out pretty good knitwise. I hope it keeps up!!!!

California Dreamin

December 26th we headed out to California for a long, long car trip. On the way there I started a fair isle hat. I discovered just how much I loved fair isle. I loved watching the colors and pattern come to life. I may have to try more of this fair isle knitting.
When we got to Encinitas, I decided to look up local knit shops. I found two that I will definitely go back to on return trips. They are both on Hwy 101 by the beach. Black Sheep had a lovely assortment of sock yarns of which I purchased two skeins of Ambiente, Schoppel Wolle. The next shop, Common Threads, had a lovely selection of Koigu and Mini Moochie, which I also purchased intending to make yet another Chevron scarf. I was very disappointed in the lack of yarn shops in Anaheim, where I grew up and where my Mom now lives. After two dead end attempts to find shops, I did find on, Velona, in Anaheim hills. It had the most yarn inventory I have ever seen in any one place. Floor to ceiling stocked with yarn in plastic bags. I should of taken photos of the chaos, but I am afraid I would of insulted the owners. No purchases there.
I did come home with a new found appreciation for all the lovely and organized yarn shops we are so lucky to have here in the Denver area. Like they say, "there's no place like home." So true......

Knitting for me and my friend, Paddy

I have been busy knitting, I really have. Just have not posted lately. Made a lot of gifts for grandchildren, neighbors and Christmas tree at Curves. Curves has a tree every year that clients fill with knitted hats, scarves, gloves and socks. They go to a local womans shelter. But I thought I would post just a few things I have done that I haven't given away. The mittens I just finished. They are super warm. They are knitted with Crystal Palace Taos yarn and a strand of solid mohair. Very fast knit and with this frigid temperature, very useful. The cat bed was knitted with Homespun, I have tons in my stash. Although I hate to knit with it, it made quite a nice cat bed. So far, Paddy is the only one who has made himself at home with it. Sorry my cats are not more like Terry's. They seem to love cat beds.

Christmas in years past

Every year I drag out the Christmas tree, ornaments and decorations. This year I thought I would post a few I painted in years past. I really need to pick up those brushes again soon, but my paint table is in the basement now, and it is sooooo cold down there. Other than my needlework stands that I get orders from, The Artists Collection, I have not painted much this year. Soon, very soon.........