Tukats

Ravelry Envy

I have to be honest, I am so Jonesing for a Ravelry invite I can hardly stand it.  I'm trying to be patient, but I'm checking my email at least 12 three times a day to see if I've been admitted entrance.   A lot of blogs I'm reading have already gotten admitted, which makes it even harder for me to be patient, but, of course, I will.   I think this is such a good idea, I'm really giving cudos to the developers.

Also, I recently received my Sundara silk lace weight in the Black Over Violet colorway.  Unbelievably soft and the color saturation is exquisite.  The photo just doesn't pick up the richness of the colors.  They're much more dark and rich, but I hope you get the idea.  I really do need a new camera. 

I'm deciding on which shawl/stole to knit it up in.  Right now, it's between two.  I'm considering the Icarus shawl from IK a couple issues back, using US1 circs as Claudia did here.   I like it because it's not as deep a V as the larger needles, but I'm thinking, US1s?  Teeny tiny for a loooong time. 

The other contender is Eunny Jang's Print O' The Wave stole.  I really love it, but I have heard there are some hair-tearing-out problems with the edging.  This is one in my Line Up that doesn't have the edging and is beautiful.  I just can't remember right now  who to give credit to.  Please let me know if it's you.   You're on my  Bloglines at work and I'm home right now.

So today I hope to continue on the BFF sock and finish that up soon.  I'm getting my summer knitting lineup in order and hope to show you more soon.

Back To The Drawing Board

Sometimes distance brings clarity.  Such is the case with Rustic Vest, my own attempt at designing something for myself.  It has been langouring for a while now in it's own cozy knitting bag.  I had an inkling as I was knitting it that it wasn't right, but could only face the realization after time away from it.  One, it's just too small.  Even with multiple swatches, it came out differently.  So I've measured the gauge as knit and marked it down for a future attempt.  Two,  after I began, I could see that I needed to tweak the pattern design a bit.  Three, I didn't have a clear idea of how to accomplish what's in my head, so I need to solidify things like length of V neck I want, how wide to make the shoulders, etc.  So I still love the yarn and the idea I have, but it will have to wait until probably the early fall.  After all, summer yarn is out there waiting for me!

I have finished the body and sleeve pieces on Katie from Rowan's A Season's Tale.  They need to be blocked and assembled.  I'll see if I can accomplish that soon.

This is a photo of one of the "critters" that frequent our back deck for food around dusk.  My husband is a softie and can't bear to not feed them.  This guy/girl (don't know for sure) will lay down right on our sliding glass door, looking in, until we give in.  We willingly oblige.

Coming Up For Air

I remember when I was a kid, I used to like to swim along the bottom of the pool as long as I could, stroking through the cool resistance, only coming up at the last minute, gasping for air.  These days, work has been a little bit like that.  Ascending from the depths of work, breaking through to the bright day, lungs gulping in air, I'm  looking forward to getting back to knitting!  I've missed posting on my blog, and have only had time to briefly scan blogs of others, leaving an occasional comment here and there.  I will tell you, though, that there's always a little time for shopping.

First up is Mason-Dixon's book.  Still somewhat hesitant to buy it, it nevertheless was calling to me, and with a $25 order you get free shipping, so with an "Oh, what the heck" attitude, it was on my way from Borders along with a couple others.  I don't know what it is about that book, but it's got me looking for Peaches N Cream cotton yarn and thinking about knitting...yeah, you got it...dishclothes and hand towels of all things!  What's with that? I don't like to think of myself as a knitting snob, but in the past, I've turned a wary eye at knitting such creations, mainly because my time is limited and I'd rather be getting to all that knitting on my to-do list.  No more!  These ladies, as you probably already know, are seriously funny, and they'd have to be my best friends if they lived in my town.  I totally dig what they're doing.  The book reaches me on some homey, comfort level that's as satisfying as chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes.

Next up is Claudia's Handpainted sock yarn in Chocolate Cherry, acquired at our very local Knit and Pearl.  I was talking to the owner, Julie, and almost went into a trance when I eyed it.  I think I stopped in mid sentence and just walked towards the Chocolate Cherry light.   I've been wanting that colorway for a loooong time, and now it's mine, all mine.

Let's see....there is more to show, but I think I'll sparse it over into the next blog.  In closing, I will show you my Misti Cotton that I'm planning on making Wicked with.  Chauntel of Firebrunette , one of my hometown girls, was also in Knit and Pearl wearing the Wicked she had made out of Misti Cotton and it looked amazing.  I think I worship her.  Check out her blog if you get a chance.  She's a fantastic, prolific knitter with a forward eye and great ideas.