Thursday, May 29, 2008

Casablanca Beginnings


I started the swatch for Casablaca and I love it!! Even Jim said that it was the prettiest that I've done. I am really pleased with the yarn. I'm using Knit Picks Gloss in Natural with clear beads that are copper lined. A little more expensive than most beads, but I was really pleased with the effect. Unfortunately, they don't show up as well in pictures. My swatch ended up being 23.5 cm by 20 cm. I used size 6US needles.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Whew!


It seems as if I've been knitting all weekend and in every spare moment. I was able to complete the first clue of Slow Bee and the start of another. I like the new clue better than the old one, you can scroll down and see the old one and compare if you want.




I counted the beads on Slow Bee. This is what slowed me down, it takes a long time and interrupts your rhythm to place beads. Believe it or not, there are 299 beads placed in this clue!! I really like the overall effect, so I will continue with the beads. You really can't see them in the pictures, probably because it was 1AM when I took them and there is no sunlight to make them sparkle. They are beautiful in the sunlight but really don't show up well in photos.

I also started working on my Booby socks as a gift. I really have to work on these every day in order to finish them for A birthday present. I get sidetracked in wanting to finish the clues on time...A birthday is more important though, especially a best friend!!


Wednesday, May 14, 2008

My Second Mother's Day


This past Saturday marked my first Mother/Daughter luncheon. I got to be a Mother, a Daughter, and a Daughter-in-law. It was a nice day and a very special occasion. Rebekah even enjoyed it. She preferred Grandma to me after lunch though and she preferred the cheesecake more than the salad!!
Sunday marked my Second Mother's Day. But again, Rebekah preferrs Grandpa to me after church.














We had a quiet day at home while Jim worked on his homework, I did some knitting. It was wonderful. Even Rebekah cooperated with a 3 hour nap!! I started working on my Peacock Feathers shawl and got the first chart completed.





By Monday, I was ready to cast on and start my Slow Bee Mystery 1. I was under the impression that the clues were going to be smaller, but it seems there is quite a bit of knitting in this one. It also takes time to stop and place the beads. But I really love the effect and am thrilled with how gorgeous both of these shawls are looking!! My husband is right though...I am doing an awful lot of knitting and less paying attention to him;) Have to do something about that!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

A New Start

Today was Jim's first day of College!! I am so proud of him. Going to college is not easy and even harder when you are in your 40's!! It is a hard undertaking that he is doing and I think it is a wonderful thing and a new start to our lives together!

I also got a new start on another project. I finished my Mystic light but it isn't washed and blocked out so no pictures yet. I did finish the swatch for Slow Bee. However I cannot decide which beads to use. Do I want really subtle, hardly seen or shiny and visible but really pretty. I have a less than a week to decide. I shall ask my husband, the college student!!!


With peacock beads









With silver-lined beads








They don't really show on the monitor well. However it proves that I am getting my knitting done!

Friday, May 2, 2008

Busy, Busy, Busy





I am so glad that spring is here!! Jim's "Sticks" as he calls his peach trees, have their buds on them now. I am really proud of my husband, too. He is now a college student!! He registered yesterday for sumer classes that start next week. Such an exciting new adventure!


I am trying to finish my Mystic Light. I was really having trouble with the 4th clue but I finally figured it out and now that I have wrapped my mind around the pattern, it is finishing up quickly! I hope to have it finished soon.




I started on another and completed the first clue of ML. I'm doing it in the recommended Zephyr in Sage. I wasn't totally sold on the color, but Joan had it in stock at Heritage. (And I got it at sucha good price that I couldn't pass it up. ) I'm using beads from Emilia Beadelia's bead shop on ebay. She has a great selection and fast shipping. My beads are size 8 clear with a rainbow finish. I think the whole effect is gorgeous! I'm looking forward to this knitting challenge.