Mystery Stole 3 BLOCKING! Complete;)

Swan Lake-

Mystery Stole 3 is finished and currently enjoying my cat-proof blocking method. (I just lay it out on the floor with blocking wires and blow the fan over it… my cats don’t “Do” wind;)

Pretty pics to tempt you: (you can see more at my flickr page)

Just The Stats Ma’am:

Alpaca With a Twist Fino- Black just over 1 skein.. probably around 900-950 yrds. (Skein has 875)

US size 3 Crystal Palace Bamboo circular needles

Free (for members- available soon for purchase) Pattern from Pinklemontwist

More pics are up at flickr

Blocking measurements:

84X24 (ish)

Beads from good old big box Michaels. in black glass. (Tossed the pkg … sorry. But- somewhere between a 6 and 10) (how’s that for vagueness?)

Size 12 Crochet hook for threading on the beads.

So-this was my first attempt blocking lace with blocking wires-
Love them. Bought them at knit-picks.
Go ahead. Buy them now- Really- you should. It’ll save you hours of pinning.

Any guesses what I’m knitting next?

A few clues:

1) Free pattern online.
2) Ummm yeah. Lace.
3) It’s my first CIRCULAR lace piece.
4) It’s currently on a fabulous male knitters blog (where I found the pattern) He used BIG needles… I’m not.
5) you should get it from that.

Stats- Colinette Jitterbug (YUM. I needed something a bit more substantial after all that lace-weightthis is like yarny truffles)
US Size 3 needles- started on DPNS- Darn Pretty Needles by Grafton Fibers— Let’s just say The Yarn Harlot knows her DPNS;)

(I bought them after seeing them on her blog- and they are lovely- also currently knitting another pair of Cookie A’s Monkey’s on a beautiful rainbow colored set of US 1 1/2s;)

Pics of those, tomorrow!

For now- this is the start of my new lace project:

I have to go- blocking is such exhausting work;)

PS— Ok- Romi– I’m ready for my shawl pin;)

Friday is my birthday- I’m hoping to have pin in hand and wear it with the new stole, out to dinner with my guys;)

black dress- black stole and silver swan- that’s a date;)

 

A rockin’ good time…Fossil Hunting……

Boys and rocks- they go together like bread and butter (well- except dirtier;) Instead of fighting the whole rock thing- last weekend we rolled with it;) We were fossil hunters for a day! (and a new hobby has been born- this time for the guys not so much me— this involves dirt so– ummm you know- i did my share, but not so much my thing;)

Fossil Park-

Olander Park- Sylvania Ohio

(About an hour from our home)

What can you find? Fossils. Loads of them.

How do you do it? You play in the dirt, find 2 rocks, and then caveman- style bang them together- until one breaks. The guys were all over this one. Well- till they got bored (after about 2 hours) and started throwing rocks over the edge- It was inevitible.)

A few notes:

• Bring a garden kneepad thing.. (or just knee pads would work)
• I’d suggest work/type gloves- those rocks are sharp and just the pounding hurts.
• Bring water bottles , sunblock. You are sitting in a rock quarry- basically a brick oven;)
• Bring a bag for taking home you’re treasures. (Yes- you GET to keep what ya find;) A few paint brishes fro removing dirt would be good too;)
• No hammers, chisels etc. They do have a few shovels available. (we opted to bring home a few mid size rocks to break apart at home with our own tools- worked great!
• They receive “fresh” deliveries on the 1st of the month. (less picked over at that time)
• It’s free! (Can’t beat that)
• They do have a sign with pics of fossils you may find- but we also took this book- “The Complete Guide to Michigan Fossils”

Mystery Stole 3 is coming rt along- I finished clue 5 this morning- just 6 and 7 to go;)

I’m just hoping I can get it done in time for when my “Swan Shawl pin” arrives….. It will kill me if I have to wait to wear it once the pin arrives;)

 

Mystery Stole 3 KAL Clue 5 thoughts Bose Headphones shorting…..buzzzz

Hmm. The Theme? I love it.

Melanie has already revealed it- Swan Lake.

I’ve already downloaded the music to my ipod, and am currently listening to it— while I think. Doesn’t classical music make you smarter???? (crosses fingers as what lies ahead will surely involve math) At any rate-I’m hoping it will help solve my knitting dilemma.

The next clue in the mystery stole takes a lovely and interesting turn… but it isn’t my style- it’s asymetrical. When it comes to symmetry I’m OCD. So, now I have to think.

What to do?

Options:

1) Rip back and knit as recommended for a symmetrical version? (kudo’s for the ever considerate Melanie for adding this option)

2) Plow ahead with the asymmetrical design… not convinced I’ll like it?

3) Stop at row 334. Cast on and knit again to row 331 then graft at the center point?

4) Stop at 334, cast on and knit to same- grafting at the center point?

5) Stop where I am- cast on for second half and figure it all out later?????

I think I’ll be taking option number 5…….

I’m also starting a campaign to pester, I mean encourage… Romi- of Designs by Romi to design a lovely swan pin to go with this shawl…….go ahead…visit her site….leave her a message or send an e-mail…..either way stop by and see her beautiful work!

I’m packing up to go to Traverse City…a week on the beach…Ahhhhhhhhh…..

I’ll be writing. I’ll be knitting. I’ll be fishing. I’ll be swimming. I’ll be sunning. I’ll be taking loads of pics…I’ll be spinning. I’ll be playing in the sand. I’ll be drawing and painting…. The boys will be fishing, swimming and playing.

But my poor Hubby will be working. Poor guy. But that’s our ticket to the beach- thnx honey;)

PS— wanna know whats HIGHLY annoying? When you spend a 100 bucks on Bose in-ear headphones for your ipod and the cord shorts out just past the warranty- so you end up listening to Swan Lake as it alternates between STEREO and MONO……

Worse yet?- I have a pretty substantial hearing loss in one ear so the effect is doubly annoying…. Gonna hafl to head to Target for new headphones before I leave…..any reccommendations for in ear easy to fit in with your Ipod earphones with great sound?????

Less rambling more coherency next post. (Let’s hope;)

 

Well now—- here I am! Mystery Stole 3 update and Trip To Thread Bear Review!

Where to start? Where to start?

Back is better- whew. That’s a good thing.

My post is up over at Laced With Grace- Don’t miss it- you’ll see how a family table political debate turned us all to prayer……through the leading of the littlest member of the family (of course;)

We went to friends’ 25 anniversary party on Saturday… it happened to be on the West side of the state so a stop at Thread Bear Fiber Arts Studio was a must…. and is something NOT to be missed!

Things I loved about Thread Bear-

1) Over 6,000 sq feet of YUMtastic Yarn! (A word of caution- I was a bit crestfallen when I pulled up- I was expecting a huge shop–(which I got) — however-the store front was average size…. (front window) —-totally deceptive- it is DEEP-goes back forever and - huge on the inside- don’t let the curb-effect fool you;)

2) Staff immediately welcomed me in and included me in conversation… about fall plans- and even a stroll through the new Vogue Knitting anniversary edition..

3) Owners were present- and delightful.

4) I bought- Blue Skies Alpaca silk,
Blue Sky Cotton,
Dream in Color Smooshy sock yarn, and lovely stitch markers;)

5) Big, sleepy, sweet, black dog on his own Ottoman- of course;)

6) Shop is visually stunning- bright, loaded with yarn yet still open and easy to maneuver through without knocking yarn out of every bin. (I hate it when I feel like an oaf knocking stuff all over in an overly crowded shop;)

7) Fiber for spinning;)

8) Comfy spots to sit n knit

9) Wi-fi available for non-knitting members of your excursion

10) Lovely displays- did I mention the visual appeal????

Thread Bear- it truly is Michigan’s Knitting Mecca…. Excuse me, if from now on, I must face the West to knit;)

My Mystery Stole 3 is coming along quite nicely- I’m at row 292- Melanie’s recommended lifeline secure….(And somewhat freaking me out…for the life of me- I cannot anticipate what’s coming;) )

I finished my African Violets Inspired Chevron Scarf in silk:

And- I cast on The Invisibility Shawl From Charmed Knits:

It’s in some random- stash dived lavander Feza mohair blend

 

Stupid Sacroiliac

Not sure how- but I’ve managed to muck up my back. (Don’t usually have trouble with my back… EVER!)

Been on the couch. Trying to get better. Went to Dr’s. taking Anaprox. blah.

Sitting at the computer hurts, so- will be back soon.

Hate this.

On the upside, I had plenty of time to read the Potter book.

My thoughts-

Better pace than book 6.
I like a happy ending. (I’m sappy that way)
Can’t say much more without spoiling- so I’ll refrain.

Knitting… working clue 4 of the Mystery Stole. On row 226

Still absolutely clueless as to the theme.

 

Mystery Stole #3 Knit along… working clue 3

Knitting- this time it’s a mystery to me too! I’m bit less than half way through clue 3. My goal? 10 rows per weekday. (Yes, I am a freak. I gave myself a knitting quota…) I know. I know. Shut up.

It’s a rainy-ish overcast day.. which didn’t exactly make for beautiful pics. Honestly-I have absolutely NO CLUE what the theme for this stole could be… I’ll just keep knitting.

I suppose I have another update too… the bee that stung me a couple of weeks ago?
(go a head scroll down to the pic, I’ll wait)

The one that had me running across the yard screaming, swearing off yard work for ever? Remember how I was sure there were hundreds more chasing me?

Well- the lawnguy (who came to clean up the mess I had made of the bushes in the front yard during the escapade) let me know he DID have freinds. A whole nest of them DID come pouring out when he yanked the remnants of the bushes.

I’m baking him blueberry muffins. Even though they didn’t get him. (my homeowners policy holder breathes a sigh of relief)

A new Chevron scarf- (to balance out the lace knitting)

This one was inspired by a pot of african violets. I’d show you a pic of those— but my cat likes to eat just about every flower that comes into the house.

Apparently, he thinks violets are truffles, Or some such cat nonsense.

Till tomorrow- some flowers that cat has yet to eat:

 

Mystery Stole 3 at row 120!

Black Alpaca With a Twist
Black glass seed beads-
US #3 plymouth bamboo circs (24″)

I have markers placed- but just at each side of the center stitch.

I’m using a life line- (threaded through stitches while they are on the needle- between charts. This one is placed between chart one and two. I remove them after adding the new lifeline.

Close up of the center motif in clue #1

Looks Thai like to me…but I have no clue what the theme may be.
I’ll just keep knitting along…

With clues- yet somehow- Clueless;)

For more about MS3 visit Pinklemontwist- she’s the brains behind the mystery! The group is now closed- but the pattern will be available for sale after it’s completion!

SP 10 has wrapped up- my final pkg went out the pal I’ve been sending too… I hope she likes it- Loopy ewe sock blockers… Claudia handpaint sock yarn and Lantern Moon Sox Stix… with misc other goodies too;) Will let you know WHO I’ve been sending to….after she receives it;)

I haven’t heard who was sending to me yet… maybe soon. Maybe I won’t, stuff happens… it’s ok.. I really do like sending goodies;)