Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Happy New Year!

I hope you all have been enjoying the holiday season (and getting lots of knitting time) : )

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Clementine Shawlette (Interweave Knits, Spring 2007)
Bristol Yarn Gallery Buckingham, 80% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk (218 yards / 50 g per skein), color 1042, ~1.8 skeins
US 3 Knitpicks circular needle (32")

I did, indeed, finish this in time to get it to my mom before Christmas. I really enjoyed using this yarn (so soft and such a pretty color), and I think it worked well with the simple, but lovely pattern. I didn't make any modifications to it (intentionally, at least). My gauge was a little different on the two halves (not sure why), but I'm probably the only one who notices. I blocked it so it's more or less symmetric.

Here are some more views:
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I did the grafting as suggested, which resulted in the "right side" having a significant ridge at the join, as you can see here (and in my first photo, above, where it's shadow is quite obvious):
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...while on the "wrong side" the grafting was slightly recessed and less obvious.
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If I were to make another Clementine Shawlette, I'd probably try to reverse this situation (by holding the opposite sides together while grafting), but I don't really mind the ridge - I just think of it as a design feature : ) I did try to keep the main body of the shawl the same width, as opposed to allowing it to widen at the graft. Allowing the widening and spreading of the stitches in this area would have diminished the appearance of the ridge, but I prefer a more uniform width, so I'm happy.


Christmas Fiber Goodness!

The fantastically generous Wendy of Catknits sent me a most wonderful package!

Inside were these:
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A knitting(!) s'mores snowman ornament - so cute! (I want to eat him, he looks so real):
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A lovely, squishy skein of Fiesta Boomerang in the very appetizing color "Raspberry Mocha":
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And a beautiful Boxy Bag Zippered Pouch from ZigZagStitches:
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Not that that's where I'll be keeping it, but see how nicely the yarn fits inside : )
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There was another item in the package... a feather tufted fleecy cat toy, which Bug and Moana have been enjoying immensely. I've forgotten to take a picture of it thus far, but I'll try to remember to do that soon.

I love it all! Thanks, Wendy!


We made a trip to Webs for their end of year sale. With Christmas money from our parents (thanks, guys!), we invested in some new yarn.

For my husband, Cascade 220 Superwash for some thick socks, Classic Elite Skye Tweed for a cabled sweater of my design, and Berroco Jasper for a hat (I just love this colorway):
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For me, a little bit of Mondial Fresco Soft to play around with, some purty Noro Kureyon Sock yarn in outrageous colors, and mmmmmMalabrigo Silky Merino (hard to photograph) that reminds me of subtly iridescent beetles:
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Here's another photo of the Silky Merino...
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I also received payment for my Schaefer Yarn model knitting:
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From upper left: Schaefer Judith (Dian Fossey colorway), Schaefer Helene (Julia Child colorway), Schaefer Anne.

I'll be making the Andrea Dogwood Blossom Wrap in the Dian Fossey colorway for them next:
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Kitty Photos

Since I didn't manage to get any exciting cat/knit photos recently, here are a few lazy cat photos for your enjoyment:

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(I should have saved this one for Valentine's Day...)
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30 comments:

Laiane said...

Malabrigo is my all-time favorite yarn. Let us know what the Silky Merino turns into!

Bug and Moana are just darling in those top photos, but I'm a sucker for cat photos.

elizabeth marley said...

Your shawl looks beautiful...and I'm way jealous of that yarn haul!

anphoe said...

I like your shawlette, love the color. I was also not sure about the grafting, a bit weird.


Hey, I went to Webs too. I went yesterday. And guess what, I also got the Malabrigo Silky Merino too. I was drooling all over it when I first saw it on Ravelry, and once I saw it at Webs, I couldn't resist and bought 2 skeins...

soknitpicky said...

Clementine is beautiful. That is such a pretty color! And I"ve not tried that yarn before--I'll have to check it out.

Virtuous said...

OOh Clementine is puuurty!!

And lovin' all the fibers!!! I can't pick just one to drool over!

Happy New Year!

Oiyi said...

The Shawlette is beautiful! I love your new knititng zippered pouch and the ornament is adorable.

Stop making me drool with all your new yarn! I would love to go to Webs someday.

Tammy said...

Beautiful... all of it! Your Clementine looks great. You'll enjoy the Boomerand and knitting bag!

Leslie said...

The shawlette came out beautifully - I'm sure your mom was exceptionally pleased with it. I'm jealous of your haul at Webs but have got to work down to one tote of yarn before I get more. At least it's all in two totes now instead of three...

Bug and Moana are too cute - you can always give us an "encore presentation" of the top one on valentine's day - one can never see them too often :)

Sarah said...

Beautiful yarn acquisitions! I particularly want to pet the Malabrigo (mmmm is right!)

Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love your shawlette...it came out beautifully. That color is gorgeous.

It's a good thing I don't live near WEBS...no doubt I'd be living in a cardboard box. Your loot is great!

Hi, kitties! They're just so cute together.

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Subtly iridescent beetles--fabulous! I love the shawlette, design feature and all...and those lovebirds would kill you if they knew you'd posted that picture of them!!:)

wendy g said...

Beautiful shawlette and I know your Mother loved it. I will have to check out that pattern.
Looks like you have lots of new yarn to keep you busy for a while.
Happy New Year!

jennsquared said...

The shawlette is gorgeous! Love it! I'll have to check out the pattern.

Do you like the Julia Child colorway? I was looking online and I can't seem to figure out if I like it or not.

Kari said...

I LOVE your shawlette! I actually just got 2 skeins of the Buckingham recently, and have totally been at a loss for what to make with it!

Bug and Moana are so adorable! I wish I could get my two to play nice for photos! They fight more than play, though! LOL

Kara said...

Clementine is darling! And that color is really gorgeous. I bet your mom loved it!

Marlena said...

Aw! Loafing kitties!
I have so got to get my hands on some malabrigo with silk. Your whole haul is very nice, but I'm extremely covetous of your silky merino!

Madge said...

Reading your post is a grand way to begin the new year. Another inspiring knit, lovely stash enhancement and adorable critters...I feel so happy. Thanks for sharing it all with us!

And wow, you're so lucky that you get to go to Webs in person. That Silky Merino is GORGEOUS.

Happy 2008!

Jana said...

Pretty scarf and great package! The snowman ornament and pink boxy bag alone are both really cool. I like what you got at Webs too. Beautiful stuff.

Anonymous said...

Your shawlette is lovely! And the kitty photos- adorable, as always. (I'm speechless over your impressive holiday stash enhancement.)

Knittymuggins said...

Beautiful Clementine and gorgeous yarn splurges!! I guess you *do* like those deep colors ;) That kitty photo shaped like a heart is amazing too. Happy New Year!!

knittymuggins

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

Merry Christmas! Wow that is a LOT of fibery goodness! YUM!

Annie said...

The shawlette looks absolutely lovely! I love how it looks with that yarn. It suits the pattern very well.

Cindy said...

Great knits, and I am very jealous of your little knitter smore dude!

schrodinger said...

The shawlette looks fantastic. And I totally love the ornament.

Happy New Year to you too!!

LizKnits said...

that is some beautiful yarn... the shawlette looks great too!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous shawlette! The color is so pretty :)

I also got some Silky Merino for x-mas. Do you have a project planned for yours yet?

Beth said...

You're as talented with a camera as you are with knitting needles! I just perused all the posts I missed and oh my gosh, the pictures of your kitty with the knitted turtled. I loved it and laughed so hard at the forward part.

I am trying to not be envious of your skills, but I can't help it. I can't even knit socks yet and everything you make is amazing. The photos are a gorgeous show of all of it.

Brava!

Beth said...

Oh, and forgot to ask, a dear friend sent me beautiful alpalca yarn (my first time having any) and I'd like to knit something like this for my mother. Do you know of any sites online with nice patterns that aren't terribly difficult? I'd appreciate any information whenever you get time.

LisaB said...

Everything is so beautiful - that shawl and the zippered pouch is so cute.

BTW - I am seriously in love with your white couch. It is the perfect backdrop for your pictures!

YarnSnob said...

i must get some of that Silky yarn, your Clementine and gifts are lovely *envious*. I always have agiggle , ooh and ahh at kitty pics...awww