Red Wine

Here's my "Wine and Crystal" Aeolian - finally finished!!

I love this pattern so much, I knit it twice! I'm even thinking of doing it a third time, that's how much I love it!

Here's the details:

Pattern: Aeolian Shawl from Knitty
Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Lace in color Port (I used 2.5 skeins - 1100 yards)
Beads: size 8 transparent clear rainbow beads by Dyna-Mites (I used a little over two boxes)
Started: May 10, 2009
Finished: September 25, 2009
Size after Blocking: 45 inches wide, 36 inches tall, 65 inch wingspan

Modifications: None. I made the large shawl size following the pattern as written. I did 9 stitch nupps. It turned out a very generous size that will be perfect for wrapping around myself and looking glamorous in red. ;-)

(Close up detail of the beads. They sparkle nicely in the light.)

I'm sure I will be doing more versions of this pattern - it is very addicting. It's not too difficult (it looks more complicated than it really is, trust me!) and it is so easy to read your knitting as the lace sections transition. It's so customizable too: simply knit an even number of yucca sections and however many agave sections as you'd like to make whatever size shawl you're looking for. The pattern designer has even posted a shortened lace edging for it as well, if you end up worried about yardage!

Happy Knitting everyone!!

I Passed Level I!!!

I got my Master Knitter binder back a few day ago - and I passed!! (I needed to re-submit the pattern for swatch 15, but I was able to do that via email.) I'm just floored that I didn't need to re-do any of my swatches. I was convinced that a few of them were not worthy. We're always so much harder on ourselves, aren't we?? My acceptance letter has so many wonderful compliments on my work, and several helpful hints for improvement. I can't help smiling! :-)

The Level II instructions are already ordered! Onward and upward!!

Making progress...

So, it's been a little while since I blogged last! I haven't gotten my Master Knitter package back in the mail yet, but I am waiting very patiently to find out my results. :-)

I haven't finished much lately - a pair of socks, a charity washcloth, and something else that I'll blog about later. (shhh, it's a surprise!) ;-) But I'm chugging away on lots of things.

Here's one of my FOs: a pair of socks that I started last year, and had hoped to have done by Inauguration Day - oh well, better late than never! My Audacity Socks:


Pattern: BFF socks by Cookie A.
Yarn: Black Bunny Fibers Merino in the color 'Audacity' (check out this blog post about the yarn)
Needles: US 2
Modifications: Just one - I made them a shorter length.
Since the yarn had a special significance, and I wanted to use a pattern that incorporated cables to signify our interconnections. I thought the pattern name was fitting as well.


And the charity washrag:


Pattern: Garterlac Dishcloth
Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Creme in 'Naturals'
Needles: US 7
No modifications. I initially tried to do the variation with no cast on edge, but got frustrated and gave up. (I got the hang of the technique, but it was late at night and I kept making mistakes! I'll give the technique a try sometime again later.)

The Charlotte Knitting Guild is collecting washrags to donate to Florence Crittenton Services in Charlotte.

Oh, and I did end up re-doing the zipper on my CPH:

(Ignore the cat hair!)

I'm much happier with it now. I just couldn't live with it all wavy and such - I had to do it over. Now if only the cool weather would get here so I can wear it!!


So, the LSG group on Ravelry had prizes for WiPs Wrestlemania a couple months ago, and I won a prize! A custom made project bag by Maddox! And here it is:


I absolutely love it! It's beautifully sewn - I immediately put some socks in progress in it! (And isn't the skunk card cute?? It says "I stink you're sweet!") It made my day when it arrived yesterday in the mail.

I'm still working on a few WiPs, but the number is dwindling, and I'm resisting casting on too many new projects! I did recently cast on a new pair of illusion knit socks that are way cool, but I'll blog about those when they're done!

Happy Knitting everyone!

It's in the mail!!!

Well, WIPs Wrestlemania got me motivated to finally finish my Master Knitter Level I notebook! I mailed it out this last week. Now it's simply anxiously waiting for 4 to 8 weeks for the results!

(All 16 Swatches)

(Project: Striped Hat)

(That's one thick notebook!)

I'm so very happy that I finally finished it. I learned an enormous amount in the 1.5 years that I've been working on it. I can't wait to pass so that I can start on Level II!!



For those that maybe aren't familiar with it, the Master Knitter program is through The Knitting Guild Association, and there are three levels. Each level requires knitting swatches demonstrating different techniques, knitting one or more projects (Level I is a hat, Level II is a sweater-vest and an argyle sock, Level III is a self-designed hat and sweater), answering several questions, and writing one or more multi-page reports. All items need to be researched, and provided with full references. Once you pass all three levels, you're a certified Master Knitter!


Keep your fingers crossed for me! I'll let you know as soon as I get my results!! (I'm biting my nails over here!)