The Fable unfolds...

As promised....Dave is off working today, so I am devoting the whole day to nothing but knitting on Fable. Well, I'm doing laundry and watching pirate movies too... but it's mostly all about Fable.

The above (crappy bathroom mirror shot) was taken at 4:20 p.m. Were I not modding the crap out of this pattern, I'd be just about ready to cast off the body and start on the sleeves.

But, me being me, I'm making the body longer so it's more cardigan than shrug. I have at least four inches to go before I can start the picot hem (another mod) - and then at least an inch after that before I can cast off. I'm hoping to be able to do that by bedtime, but that might be just a wee bit optimistic.

However, Dave is working next Saturday too - so that's at least one more day of (relatively) uninterrupted knitting to devote - things are looking good for having in done by Knit Camp on the 23rd!

Behold Haruni

Today was dye day - and while I was up at Mom's I took the opportunity to get some finished pictures of Haruni.I am definitely pleased with this one, even if I didn't have enough yarn for the i-cord edging.It turned out to be a good size for a small shawl - about 50 inches wide - just wide enough to wrap nicely around the shoulders.
The pattern is very easy - and definitely one I'll do again - probably with more yarn so I can make it even bigger and do the proper edging.

Oh, and of course... I added beads....
Still not a big fan of the Wollmeise - there were actually four knots in this skein - and I can't get the perfumey smell out of it - despite a long soaking. But I do love the colour.

Since casting off, I did do as promised and have been working diligently on Fable. It doesn't seem like I'm getting anywhere... but I'm working on it. Pics coming soon.

Block it like you mean it!

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I only had four rows left on Haruni - not eight. And that I-Cord edging - I needn't have worried - I didn't have enough yarn any how.
So, I did a stretchy cast-off and I think it looks just fine. It's happily blocking and I'll get some modeled shots this weekend.

In the mean time, here's a little sneak peek at my bead workI love beads!

So now it's back to the regularly scheduled WIPs.

Haruni wins this round....

I was really hoping to have pictures of Haruni blocking for you today... but, alas, it was not to be.
Despite knitting my fingers to the bone all weekend, I finally admitted defeat at 10 p.m. last night.

There are just eight rows left - and I probably could have gotten them done by midnight, but it was really the thought of the i-cord cast off that follows that did me in - who knows how long that's going to take.

I do want to get it off the needles though, as I'm itching to get back to Fable. Mom and I are going to Knit Camp in just a few weeks, and it would be really nice to have it to wear.

Oh, and there is another baby to add to the baby boom... this one in November! Sigh. When will people learn cats are better?

Speaking of which...You can see they had a productive Labour Day.

Meet Anna

You will remember that this summer, I participated in a mystery KAL with designer Anna Dalvi. Anna is a fellow Canadian and her designs are beautiful!

I first discovered Anna's talent for myself, earlier this spring, when she contacted us about using one of our yarns for one of her designs.

A quick look at her design page - and you know there was no way I was saying no.

So Anna chose her yarn (Twinkle Cat Gold in Dragon Heart), it was sent off, and I waited to see what she would do with it. Last week, she unveiled her creation...
I was not disappointed. The pattern is Eragon. (I love the little detail up the side of the thumb)! It's part of her "Seven Fingerless Mitts" e-book - and the other designs are just as lovely (and there are still three more to come!).

If you haven't checked out her design page on Ravelry, I seriously suggest you do. She's just put out a lace book that is truly magnificent - it's going on my Christmas wish list!

It is definitely an honour to have our yarn featured in one of her designs!

Startitis bites again...

Haruni has been in my queue for a very long time - and I've had a skein of Wollmeise squirreled away for just such a shawl.

I've mentioned before that Wollmeise is not one of my favourite yarns (I find the base a little too cotton-like for my liking), but it does soften when washed and some of her colourways are pure genius.

Spice Market is one such - an absolutely stunning grouping of deeps brownish reds with touches of burnt orange and green. It's just like autumn here among the vineyards.

Although they are hard to see, I've added beads as well - a nice iridescent orange that adds just the right touch of shine.

It's a Labour Day weekend here - and if I have my way, all my labours will be put towards finishing this shawl!

Ah, September 1st... wait... WTF?!?

Seriously ... September??? Never mind August... what happened to the rest of the summer?

Oh well.. no where to go but forward right. That means there's Christmas knitting to plan, babies to prepare for, designs to get underway.

The good news is, I've got a little head start.The Shawl Collared Baby Sweater is done - all it needs is buttons - and baby isn't due until December!

And is sounds like Mom might have the sock machine figured out... just in time too... if September's here, I'll need socks soon!