Stepping Stone

On the Needles:  After test knitting a new shawl pattern for my friend, Drin, I decided that I had to have one for myself. I digress, the test knit was also done as a sample knit for Grinning Gargoyle as she prepared to exhibit and sell her wonderful yarns so it I wanted my own Stepping Stone shawl, I needed to start one. I pulled from my stash, a skein of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in the beautiful Logwood colorway and cast one during Sit & Stitch at Stitch(es) in Winnetka last Tuesday. It is coming along beautifully and I have only about 16 more rows to go. I cannot wait. I am loving this pattern as much this time as I did the first time.

What I am Reading:  I just finished a cute cozy mystery over the weekend, Death by Killer Mop Doll by Lois Winston and started reading Chris Cavender's new book, Rest in Pizza.

I'm back...

I have been remiss in keeping up-to-date. What have I been up to for the past couple of years? How much time do you have? So back in July 2010, I wrote that I was going to start reading the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. OMG, who knew that would lead to watching True Blood and becoming completely obsessed with vampires. And of course, I had to share my discovery with the North Shore Purl Girls and get them all involved with my new obsession. God, I love these women. Besides being some of the most interesting women I have ever met, they feed into my obsessions and convert me to their obsessions.

On the knitting front, I have been very productive. I have mastered socks and shawls, knit a couple of throws for the condo now that I have finally gotten it furnished. I have lots of WIPs and these last couple of months have been exciting as I have been working for one of the NSPGs who needed a test knitter for her new patterns. And I got to use yarn dyed by another NSPG, how cool is that. I can definitely recommend that if you are looking for beautiful yarn, check out my friend's Etsy shop, Grinning Gargoyle and if you need patterns that are easy to understand but look complicated, check out my friend's website, MushroomKnits.com. You will not be disappointed.

So that's it for now, and I promise to keep this up a little better.

Me Bad!

It isn't that I haven't been knitting or reading, I just haven't been writing about it. The North Shore Purl Girls decided that July would be WIPlash Month, a month dedicated to finishing those WIPs in an attempt to reclaim needles. I had high expectations of my ability to finish 6 projects this month and it looks like it will only be 1. But the good news is that I have made great strides in completing 2 others so hopefully they will be completed quickly, if not in July by mid-August. While most of us have finished at least 1 item, we are all finding that we have the urge to cast-on, which leads me to believe that we are truly afflicted with KADD (knitting attention deficit disorder). We love to knit, we just can't stay focused on one project long enough to finish it without starting something new first.

Between working on my WIPs this month, I have been reading up a storm. Given that this has been an extremely hot and stormy month, the analogy works. I have finished the 5 Sophie Katz mysteries by Kyra Davis, the 5 Odelia Grey mysteries by Sue Ann Jaffarian, and the first 2 Sookie Stackhouse mysteries by Charlaine Harris. I decided to read the first Sookie Stackhouse book because of all the hype about the TV show, True Blood, which is based on these books. I love mysteries but am not into the whole paranormal vampire zombie thing that has swept the book industry but found myself totally enthralled with this series. This doesn't mean I am going to go out and start reading the Twilight series and all the literary mash-up books like Pride & Prejudice and Zombies.

Catching Up on Things

I can't believe that it has been months since I wrote anything. Since my last post, I have completed 3 sweaters - one for my sister, one for a cousin's new baby and one for a nephew; 2 pairs of socks - one for me and one for a niece; 5 scarves - 4 lace ones and 1 clapotis; 2 hats and 2 pairs of fingerless gloves for a nephew.

I just finished a baby blanket for a nephew's new baby and am currently working on a pair of socks and the Whisper Sweater, although I do have several lace scarves hibernating. Next on the list is the Imagine sweater from the new Knitty and perhaps, more socks.

In addition to all the knitting, I have been reading a bunch of mysteries. I think I have finished about 30 so far this winter. Can you tell it has been a long cold winter in Chicago?

Gathered Pullover KAL

Now that the Central Park Hoodie is is done and the Flutter-By Socks are almost done, it was time to cast on for something else. The Gathered Pullover has been calling so I finally cast on last Thursday, August 7. I have about an inch done so far and am loving the color and feel of the yarn. It will be a perfect fall sweater. I had to swatch twice since the 7's didn't meet gauge but the 8's were right on the money. Hopefully, knitting in the round will not cause the gauge to change.

A Productive Week

The CPH is completed and delivered to Kayti who loved it. The fit was good but if I were to do another I would go up a size since there was very little ease. Thank goodness, she likes clothes that are fitted.

I was also able to complete a Clapotis for her mother this week so all in all a good week.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Since my last posting, I have been busy working on a number of things. The CPH is coming along and, hopefully, will be done this weekend. I have seamed the shoulders, completed the hood and the front bands. On to sewing in the sleeves and then seaming the sides. Kayti leaves for Lincoln College on August 17 so the deadline looms.

Between working on the CPH, I have started a clapotis with yarn purchased at the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair. The yarn is a hand-dyed DK weight yarn that is turning out nicely. The Summer of Socks Flutter-by Socks are slowly growing and Kayti has expressed interest in a pair of socks for Christmas in pink.

The Mr. Greenjeans sweater is on hold but just until the CPH is done. And the lace blocking wires finally arrived so I can block the Lace Scarf.