Wednesday's Yarn Along- What I'm Reading and Knitting Now

    

 Come join us at "Small Things" to share what you are currently reading and creating at the "Yarn Along".

     My  Sherbet Heavenly Shawl  is almost knit up to the last bit of yarn.  I hope to finish up what I can today and I'll order another skein to finish the very end tip and put a simple edge on the bottom to even it out.

       I'm actually glad for the excuse to order another skein because I will miss working with Chroma .  I'm ordering the Pegasus colorway and then I'll use the rest up in a simple cowl.  Won't that be lovely?  I'm thinking a provisional cast on and just doing garter about 10 in. width until it's all gone, then attaching the two ends.  Simple, warm, cosy.

     I'm working on my Sheila sheep!!!! Getting the legs done.  I've got three done and one more to go, plus the head.  She's going to be really cute!

     The Really Improv Sweater! I've started working on again.  A great knit and I'm excited to learn how to design my own sweater!  Monday Moments- What's Up in My Knitting World,

     I started a KAL that I've been remiss on Deep Stash Along, but it feels like it's a September knit with it's darker colors, so I put it aside till then, hoping to be done with the Sherbet Shawl.  The Sherbet Shawl and the Stash knit share the same needle size and Sherbet's got the better needles of multi-colored wood from Knit Picks- Rainbow Wood Circular Needles.   Hopefully I can knit it up to wear to Maine next month when I go visit my son at his college for Parent weekend.   Just Knit It with Gifted Stash

     I'm reading a great book I have on my tablet- Lady in White (The Lady Series Book 2) Kindle Edition by Denise Domning .  It's a tale of romance and courtly intrigue set in the Elizabethan Court.  The writing is wonderful and I like the characters so much.  I will be sad to see them part when I'm done with the book.  I think that's one reason (out of many) that I love Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.  You fall in love with the characters and you don't leave the story when they fall in love, or get married like most romance novels.  The Outlander series continues through their lives and intertwines with other unforgettable characters.  I'm reading Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, Book 2)  now and enjoying it immensely.

Tuesday's What's Up In My Knitting World

Joining "Frontier Dreams" today and sharing my creations.

     While I'm fixated on finishing my Sherbet Heavenly Shawl  (almost to the end), I'm also working to finish up a mystery critter KAL Sheila that's been over for awhile.  I inadvertently discovered what it was on the last download of pattern.  Sheila is a Sheep!  Not too surprised, but because I looked at the others done, I decided to change my second color to brown from black.  I liked the brown sheep better.   Also my brown is 100% wool and a remnant of a hand dyed skein a friend gave to me when she cleaned her stash.  I love the little variations in color.  So I'm working on these wonky legs, that are easier as you work on them, but time consuming, but Sheila will be cute when done.  I'll have her perched next to me to make me smile and there's something about a lamb, it's innocence and trust that reminds me of the way we should be towards our Lord- trusting Him as we follow.  Yup, I could use more lamby in me!

     So I had hoped to have the sherbet shawl done by tomorrow  being the last day of August, but I'm very close and I'm coming up short on my yarn.  So Friday I'll order another skein to finish.  I'm thinking the rest of it, after I finish the shawl and add a small border, will make a lovely simple cowl.

     I want these two projects off my plate so I can focus on my Deep Stash Along project, a more fall toned shawl, Just Knit It with Gifted Stash.   And I need to get my hands back into my top down sweater for the Fringe Association's  KAL, The Really Improv Sweater!  so I can participate in that.  That's my Fall knitting, plus I have hats to do for the Hat KAL and Christmas.  But that all seems good cooler weather projects to start again and work on in September.

     It certainly seems like Fall today.  The nights are very cold and the heat has pretty much left.  In two weeks we'll see the Aspens above us on the mountain edges turn golden.  They turn at a higher altitude so you have to travel up to see them close-up; like traveling up through the pass here next to Pikes Peak and going on up into the National Forest.  It's an amazing day trip.

Join "Frontier Dreams" to post your  projects on Tuesday or later in the week.

Michael Anderson

Summit County Citizens Voice

G. Dan Mitchell Photography

Lars Leber Photography - My favorite local photographer, check his gallery out.

Musing Mondays

- I'm currently reading…

- Up next I think I’ll read…

- I bought the following book(s) in the past week…

- I'm super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…

- I'm really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…

- I can’t wait to get a copy of…

- I wish I could read ___, but…

- I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Which book do you wish you’d written, yourself?

PLEASE add your book comments at Books and a Beat, Thanks!

I finished Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass series Book 2) Kindle Edition by Sarah J. Maas by listening to it on Audible while knitting and it was an awesome book, just like the first in the series.    

  

- I'm super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
     While browsing my already downloaded books I started  Lady in White (The Lady Series Book 2) Kindle Edition by Denise Domning and just couldn't stop.  I believe it had been a freebie through Bookbub and Amazon.  A story taking place in the time of Queen Elizabeth's reign, with court intrigue.  An unasked for match between a new widow and a disfigured Lord.  Interplay between the reigning Protestants and disfavored Catholics. Very well researched and the characters are well drawn.  Also compulsive writing.  I came across a very nice review of it-

 Cat's Books: Romance

     And with a real book in hand, I am also reading Dragonfly In Amber (Outlander, Book 2) for the second or third time (I've lost count) since it's my all time favorite book series. 

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Which book do you wish you’d written, yourself?

I'm stumped.  I think I'm more a reader than a writer.

My Knitting post today-  Monday Moments and Finishing Up My Sherbet Shawl.

Monday Moments and Finishing Up My Sherbet Shawl

      It's raining outside and I was going to forgo my blog today, but I relented and decided a quick update is an easy thing to do.  Now three times a week I'm seeing a team of chiropractors in the very early morning for treatment.  They're great and hopefully they will fix what is broken down in me.  I think it's degenerative damage to my spine that is crimping my nerves and tendons.  I'm in tremendous pain, and now I can't walk without pain.  So I cried this morning.  I just feel so disheartened, but they encouraged me that I will be pain free again, it's just a long process.  You know sometimes attitude is everything.  I'm making it my goal to think of all the hiking I am going to do, again one day.  Getting up to the Intemann Trail above me will be my goal this year,  At least I have a team working with me and I'm not alone.  In addition to adjustments and decompressions, I get laser treatments on my lower back!  That's my favorite part because it's warm and cosy.

     So today I worked to finish my Sherbet Heavenly Shawl.  It looks lovely, but I am going to come up short on my yarn and have to order a skein more (an excuse to make a simple cowl out of the rest).

     I'm also working on my Sheila , which I inadvertently discovered is a sheep (a giveaway on the last clue).  But I'm glad, I switched to brown yarn for the legs and I'm working on the quirky long legs now (pictures tomorrow).  I also want to work on my Top-down sweater that I started a few weeks ago  The Really Improv Sweater!.  August 15th  Monday Moments- What's Up in My Knitting World.

Friday's Peek of Upcoming September KAL's

Here's a preview of some upcoming KALs in September-

Oregon Wildflowers Cowl MKAL

Starts Sept. 1st

"MKAL cowl. Join in the colorwork fun! Explore four different types of colorwork: patterned, striped, checked, and lace."

Sept. MKAL 2016 

Starts Sept. 1st

"Color changing bias shawl (recommended yarn Wolle’s). It features a lace motif beginning at the tip and growing and changing as the shawl grows, along with beads, if you like!" MKAL chat thread 

Counter Current

Starts Sept 1st

 "A triangular shawl knit modularly in garter stitch using a set of 6 colors of gradient yarn." 

“Early In the Seasons KAL”

"Knit any or all 4 of Heather’s newest shawls from the “Early in the Seasons” Collection. Have lots of fun & enjoy the support of the designer herself, Heather Anderson. Win WIP & FO raffle prizes, too!" Heather Anderson Designs Group 

Designs by Melanie Berg 

Designs by Melanie Berg: 

 On the Spice Market, The Joker and the Thief, Solaris and January Skies by Melanie Berg 

 KAL for any of the four patterns listed above. No requirement to finish by the end date and no specific yarn requirements. WIPs are welcome. 

 September 19 and ending October 23 

 Marigold’s Loft 

  Come and join in the Sock-along knitting fun. You can join me in knitting the pattern stated above, or feel free to knit along on your own choice of pattern. Double-dipping welcome. 
Prizes: There are prizes up for grabs too :) 
 1st September - 1 October 
Price: Free

Debate Socks by Maria Zilakou 

 pattern page link 

Hosted at Maria Zilakou Designs

 A pair of socks with an easy, yet elegant, eyelet motif that you’ll be able to knit quickly and wear very frequently.  

 September 15, 2016  - September 30, 2016.  

EarlyBird Price (until September 12, 2016) 

  Kal/Debate Socks

 Butterfly Dream Catcher MKAL 

 Lily Go Designs

 A crescent shaped shawl worked from the bottom up, with short rows; pattern is worked on the both the wrong and right sides; includes charts and written directions; beaded option; several sizes; Kits available for purchase (optional) 
Dates: 
1st Clue: September 29th 
2nd Clue: October 6th 
3rd Clue: October 13th 
4th Clue: October 20th 
5th Clue: October 27th 
6th Clue: November 3rd 
MKAL Chat

Some Ongoing KALs you can still join

Deep Stash Along

Hat KAL 

Be Loving

And more Free Hat Patterns- Free Pattern Thursday- Hat Patterns Galore!

In this KAL you knit as many hats as you can before October 1st and each one makes you eligible for a prize.   More hat patterns-  Friday Fantasy Knits- Hats To Knit.

Bray Cap

Improv- Fringe Association (free Pattern)

"IMPROV is a basic pattern — and full tutorial — for a seamless top-down sweater.

  AUGUST 15th, we’re kicking off the Fringe and Friends Knitalong 2016, which is a Top-Down Knitalong, with fun, friends and prizes." Improv: Basic pattern for a top-down seamless sweater

For a more complete list of KALs check out kal fanatics.

Join a KAL to learn, to be inspired and meet new friends!

Enjoy!

Thursday's Possibilities

     I must dream in yarn.  I woke up thinking about the single skein of Caribeno yarn in Malabrigo Sock Yarn yarn that I got this summer for myself for my birthday.  It was a colorway I liked and I purposely got it with no project in mind, knowing I would enjoy just dreaming about it.  So I'm just at the thinking stage.  Wondering what this pretty yarn would knit into.  I know I want a shawl or shawlette and I love simple.  So here's some possibilities.  (Hint- I figure it out at the very end, literally the bottom of this post! Linus - Free Pattern!!!)

Tesla Shawl

Harmony Shawl

Seedheads Shawl 

  

 

Canyonlands Shawl

Dendrology Shawl

Mango Seed Shawl

Poison Ivy Shawl

  

   

Curie Shawl

  

Eiki- Janel Laidman- Designer's site

eiki shawl- Ravelry

     OK, so far everything has been really lovely, but most too fancy for me, for now.  I don't know if I'm that advanced, and I don't want something to drown out the beauty of the pattern.  I like mindless knits, but I want it just a tad more challenging, but not handwringing.  So what else can I find?

Knits and Knots Shawlette - Free Pattern

Down the Rabbit Hole Shawl

This one's very nice- simple, yet a tad fancier.  Refined, yet simple enough to show of the yarn-

Skyamsen Shawlette

Or if I really wanted to go simple-

Simple Shawl for Fancy Yarns - Free Pattern

  

  and in Malabrigo Sock Yarn-

First Shawl (Simple Shawl for Fancy Yarns) Free Pattern

Old Man of Storr Shawlette - Free Pattern

And, of course last, but certainly not least, I like the most simplest one I found!  I also found I love the look of garter stitch and, of course the simplicity of doing it.

Linus - Free Pattern!!!

Free Download in several languages, English second button- Linus.

Emac's Linus #2

Lady-m's Linus Shawl

Dreamlands Linus Shawl

Frenny's Linus in Caribeno Malabrigo Sock Yarn

My Birthday gift to myself this summer-

   Happy Dreaming!