Yarn Along
I won the battle with the pi shawl, see yesterday's post for details. It ready for the first lace section out of three. The anger has passed and I am loving it again. As a reward I cast on another citron shawl. I know, before you say "again?" I want to clarify that I did give one as a Christmas present. So technically I only have the one to wear. The yarn is mystery yarn of sorts. I bought it at the fiber festival from a vendor who was desperate to sell her yarn, I felt sorry for her and bought this lace weight. It's NOT labeled and I wrote the name of the wool down quickly then couldn't read it when I came home. My writing tends to be illegible at times. Anyways, from googling the many varieties of sheep I'm quite confident the wool is California Variegated Mutant spun lace weight (I wrote "cal var mut"). I like it because it has a crispness to it and it's somewhat soft. I also get a giggle when I find bits of vegetable matter that was spun in!! (like a twig)
Last night I also worked on my sweater that has been neglected since before Christmas. It has become my night time knitting since lace knitting ends up with mistakes. No more ripping out errors due to fatigue and faulty reasoning. I am half way through the body of the sweater.
The Snow Child continues to be my read this week. Half way through the book and it's still a compelling read. I'm enjoying the fairy tale like story line and of course all the descriptions of snow-fall snow, spring snow and of course the drifted deep snow. It's a good read and you should try it!
When I gave up on my first pi shawl, I pulled out my Elizabeth Zimmerman copy of The Knitter's Almanac. I have loved her writing for over 30 years because she is funny and informative. You should own all of her books as well :)
What are you knitting and reading this week?
Joining Ginny
Congrats on winning the battle :) Love the colour of your pi shawl, gorgeous. Your book appeared a few times in my feed last week, have added it to my list. Happy knitting!
ReplyDeleteWell done on working it out.
ReplyDeleteI love EZ's books - her writing style is wonderful.
I have downloaded The Snow Child onto my Kindle, looking forward to a new fictional book sometime soon.
I love EZ. So much. I don't use her as a reference nearly as often as I should…
ReplyDelete(And I totally said "again?" - out loud, even - right after I read the words "citron shawl" and before I got to "before you say 'again?'" Ha!)
xoxo
I got the Snow Child from the library this week - can't wait to start it! Happy knitting. It must feel so nice to be working on projects for you :)
ReplyDeleteI just finished listening to the snow chlld and loved it!!! It's fairy-tale through and through;a nice change of pace and a perfect winter read!! (I've made citron three times.....and it's still one of my favorites and I'll probably knit it again someday!!!----and like you, I only own one of them, so I totally understand needing another!!!) But, I've never done a pi shawl in lace....did Jared floods hemlock which I think is sort of a pi shawl, but in aran wt---it just wasn't the same. someday.....someday....!!! happy yarn-alonging today!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad your Pi shawl problems have been resolved - knitting lace at night seems like a bad plan, but then I'm not too hot on lace when I'm not tired!
ReplyDeleteLate night knitting causes many problems on my behalf. I ripped out a sweater 3 times because I twisted the stitches 3 nights in a row! Good luck on your sweater, your pi is going to be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll look for Snow Child at the library this week. A wintery read sounds delightful right about now!
ReplyDeleteI plan to get some yarn hopefully this week to being my own Citron shawl. I love yours. Ree wants a "blanket" (really a shawl like one I made myself last winter) but in rainbow colors. I'm looking for lace yarn in rainbow to make it. After seeing your post last week I put the Snow Child on hold at the library and I JUST got an e-mail that it is waiting for me. I can't wait to begin it. I'm having problems finding good books lately. I should see if they have any EZ books there too. I've never read anything she's written!
ReplyDeleteAre the pi shawls where you only increse before and after lace panels are done? Or do you increase during them? Would you believe that I've never even looked at an EZ book or pattern?
ReplyDeleteFrom a spinner that sometimes feels desperate: thank you for buying yarn from that vendor. Everyone has to start somewhere and I bet you made her day. (Also, I pull bits of grass and things out of my commercially spun yarn all the time.)
I am so happy to hear you won the battle! Both yarns look very delicate and pretty. I loved Snow Child. It is a wonderful book. Happy Knitting!
ReplyDeleteI love Pi Shawls. That was the reason I cast on Evenstar. They are so versatile! One can never have enough Citrons - by the way.
ReplyDeleteI did think, "Another citron!" I really must make one for myself. I even have the yarn, but I think it is currently in storage. My writing unfortunately tends to be the same when hurried. Glad you could decipher it. And I love EZ although at times her pithy instructions drive me batty!
ReplyDeleteAh you and your citron addiction, it only makes me admire you more! I'm glad you are back to loving your shawl as well, the yarn is very pretty.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful shawl Karen and I read that you are half way through the body of your sweater? Wow! I can't wait to see it on you.
ReplyDeleteI haven't cast on yet for the Leaves of Grass, I need to wait until I have some rest before I tackle that cast on, something I dread doing again.
You know, I started this pattern last summer and had issues at the same area you did. I finally got past it, and then put it on long term time-out. I can't want to see your progress. Lots of luck knitting!
ReplyDeleteWhen you said Citron, I said to myself, I really must move that to the top of my queue.
ReplyDeleteso that must some crazy cast on! well, i am glad it is all sorted out. and i say make as many of the things you like as often as you like! :)
ReplyDeleteYou citron addict! :) You have some beautiful lace beginnings there. I am loving greys/oatmeals/creams right now.
ReplyDeleteEZ's Knitter's Almanac is a favorite! I'll confess I've never done a pattern of hers, but I love her blunt wit! So glad you resolved the battle with the pi shawl!
ReplyDeleteThe kids are going to Awanas tonight and I'm swinging by the bookstore while they are there to pick up the book! I'm really looking forward to reading it :)
ReplyDeleteI'm knitting some wool lavender sachets. I love the blog banner btw! Really pretty.
ReplyDeleteI almost get sucked-in to the Autumn Leaves... then, I remind myself I'm not that big a fan of the circle shape... but, then again, it is such a beautiful pattern... ;) You know how those conversations go. hee hee
ReplyDeletethe word "mutant" has somewhat of a scary connotation in my books... ;) but it is beautiful, i love how delicate it looks.
ReplyDeletei might have to read that book to live the whole snow experience vicariously...
ReplyDeleteThe curse of the temporarily legible handwriting. . . I have had that too. I am so glad the love it back for your shawl. Of course you deserve a reward! I do need to read some of Zimmerman's books. I have yet to do it.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I am so happy you are on your way with the pi shawl. I am working on the pi autumn leaves and I need to pull it out again. But I know I will prevail.
ReplyDeleteI just put that book on hold at my library! Hope it comes in soon - the snow is falling heavily here now so it's the perfect time to be in love in snow!
ReplyDeleteI always smile when I find vegetable matter in my wool - I like the reminder of where it came from. :)
I hope we get a little snow this year :) Sounds like a beautiful book
ReplyDeleteA pi shawl and the snow child ... me too! Although my pi is different! Happy knitting Karen :D
ReplyDeleteI am looking to you my friend to see how that shawl turns out before I ever tackle it. I do love Ms. Zimmerman as well. I always recommend her books to beginning knitters because she has the wonderful ability to make me laugh when I'm ready to pull my hair out.
ReplyDeleteI need to finish my Citron. It's in the closet, safe and sound, but it's hard to wear a knit still on the needles isn't it!? I can't wait to see your Pi Shawl. Keep it up, you got this, friend!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes! I'm halfway through The Snow Child too and finding it beautiful. I love the snowy descriptions too. There's been a fair bit of cursing in this household over knitting too. Ceramic Flowers, a pretty simple lacework cowl (over on Ravelry naturally) has been frogged three times now due to overtiredness. I feel your frustration and am jolly glad you're past that now. I hope I am too :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your knitting!
Stephanie
So glad to hear that you've overcome your Pi Shawl challenge.
ReplyDeleteThat sweater is going to be GOR-geous when you're done. I love the color yarn you've chosen!
I haven't attempted the pi yet but do agree that Elizabeth's books are must haves for your knitting library!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
The pi shawl is going to be stunning! What a piece of art! I have yet to read a book by EZ, but gosh do I want to.
ReplyDeletewell done for winning the battle! i can just imagine e.z. saying you are the boss! LOVE all her books and the pi shawl too, enjoy making yours!
ReplyDeleteOh, I so enjoyed the Snow Child - so glad you are enjoying it too! And your pi shawl looks amazing - cannot wait to see the finished product!! :)
ReplyDelete