Leaf Lace Shawl

C'est fini!

This pattern is fairly straight forward and very easy to memorize. The only issue I had was when I changed from the main pattern to the edging. I frogged the edging 4 times before getting it right. I think that was due to the fact that I didn't need to think about the first section very much; the edging requires some thought for sure.

Overall, I am just delighted with this shawl - Thanks to TYL for suggesting this wonderful, yummy Blue Sky Alpaca silk yarn. It was a dream!



Pattern: Leaf Lace Shawl by Evelyn Clark
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Silk in Garnet, 4 3/4 skeins, #5 needles
I received 3 skeins for Xmas and was fortunate to find 2 more of the same dye lot
Size: Small (I can't imagine how big the large is!)
Alterations: none
Time to finish: about 2 months of weekend knitting

Cozy Wrist Warmers

Pattern: Joelle Hoverson Wrist Warmers from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Also available for free at Canadian Living.

Yarn: ArtFibers Kantuta 100% super baby alpaca / 94 yds, 50 grams. 1 Skein

Time: 2 days

Notes: I love, love, love this yarn. The hubby bought this in San Francisco. If you're ever there, check out ArtFibers. They make the most glorious yarns - all natural fibers.

I changed the pattern a bit and put in an extra repeat. I also knitted these on double points instead of the 8" circs, which would have driven me crazy. Because of the double pointed needles, I got a bit of stretch near the thumb opening. You'll see it in the photo, however, it's difficult to see while you're wearing these yummy warmers.

Ah...le printemps

My garden is already so prolific this year that I thought I'd share a few recent pix. After I took these photos, Richmond received so much rain that it now looks like a rose and hydrangea jungle! I love my garden, but have found over the years that I have one small problem - I plant things way too close together. I love to move things around every year so I suppose this problem really works for me... This year it will be difficult to move some of the plants - my oak leaf and lime light hydrangeas are now over 5 feet!

In addition to the hydrangea craziness, my roses have grown at least 2 feet this spring. This yellow shrub rose or climbing rose (I really can't tell which one it is as it looks like a shrub, but is growing up the side the trellis?) is really beautiful this year. Most of the blooms have now been washed away by the rain, however, they have now been replaced with these lovely hot pink trellis roses that come back every year whether I feed them or not (gotta love those types of plants!)


You can see more of my spring garden photos, including the hubby's wonderful kitchen garden (potager), on Flickr .



The same day I took all these photos, the hubby cooked this wonderful red curry carrot soup. Yum!


I have some knitting to post so stay tuned!

here sheepie sheepie sheepie - maryland sheep and wool rocked!!!

This was my first year at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and wow did it surpass my expectations! Not surprisingly, I spent way too much money on new yarn...Aside from this stash enhancement, I was just completely entranced by the number of vendors and the amount of sheep in attendance. It was insane! I was also totally mesmerized by the beautiful, sweet, soft alpacas (who make a wonderful little humming sound); I literally could have spent all day watching and petting them.

All in all, it was fabulous - I put most of the photos on flickr, including pix of my mother-in-law and my new stash. You'll have to guess what type of yarn I bought as I'm too tired tonight to enter specs into Ravelry. I'll go to bed knowing tonight that it's quite nice and soft though :)

Bloo was quite angry with us when we returned home on Sunday. Not only did we smell like sheep and alpaca, but we left him for about 24 hours by himself. Look at that sad face!