There go good intentions...

So I had it all planned out - how I was going to get started on my set really really early, and get it off before the holidays, and all that jazz. Sadly that will not happen because...

I still don't have my yarn.

It was lost in the mail. Luckily Patternworks was GREAT about it and is sending out another package, since it's been 3 weeks since I ordered it and no yarn to be found.

Hopefully I'll still be able to get it done by the due date - I don't think that will be a problem.

making some small progress

Just updating everyone on my progress. After some debate, I think I've decided on the scarf pattern, and I'm planning to order the yarn in the next couple of days. But first---I've pretty much decided on knitpicks Andean silk, which is "55% Super Fine Alpaca, 23% Silk, 22% Merino Wool" according to their catalogue. It seems like it would be a nice blend of warm, soft, and pretty. But, I've never used it before. Has anyone else tried it? Any comments anyone?

Regarding the hat, I'm still deciding (which is part of why I haven't ordered the yarn yet, since I'd like to get for both at the same time). I was planning to make the hat from the same yarn.

Since I'm still finishing up Christmas projects, I'm definitely not going to get to start this until December 26, but don't despair, pal. My company is closed the week between Christmas and New Year (yay!), so I'm sure I'll be able to get it finished by Feb! And in the meantime, I'm inspired by, if also a little jealous of, everyone who's either finished or looks to be well on their way.

Take care and happy knitting,
Kim in South NJ

International Scarf Exchange

So, I've found the yarn to use for the scarf I'm going to do for my pal...but I still can't find a hat pattern or yarn that I like and that isn't too difficult for me as a beginner hat knitter.

Ugh! This is frustrating!

The End -- In Rhyme

She got the scarf
She liked it a lot
So it's time to post
A completed shot.

It's worked in Merino
"Frappe" by Crystal P.
It was awesome to knit --
I think I'll make one for me!

The pattern's designed
By my LYS's crafty girl
Using many short rows
To make the yarn twirl.

I was a bit nervous
A bit twiddly, too,
Knitting something for someone
Is a hard thing to do.

But I made it through
My first knitting trade
It's so great to send off
Something handmade!

Yours in rhyme,
LainE
Knit and Purl Grrl
visit me at http://knitandpurlgrrl.blogs.com/my_weblog/

Project Paranoia part 2

How does this fringe look?

I think it looks uneven and icky, but I've been messing with it all day and it's the best I can figure out. The beads are from this fancy bead-only store in NYC. Shiny glass beads make me happy.

Maybe the finals are just getting to me. Or maybe I just need some sleep. Yes, sleep...

By jove...I think I've got it!

After casting on and working a few rows for what seems like the eleventy-millionth time, I'm finally making some progress on my Backyard Leaves scarf. This is mostly due to my friend and the co-hostess with the mostess, Cynthia, reading me the first 10 rows of the chart out loud! I think that goes way above and beyond the duty of a knit-along hostess, but I'm very grateful! Thanks Cynth! **this picture is not the greatest for showing the leaf pattern**

In other news, is anyone else dying to know what their pal is making for them?! I can hardly stand the suspense. I know that I'll have to wait months and months when I join these things...but I just can't help myself! My pal has been emailing me, which I greatly appreciate, but it just makes me all the curiouser about who she is and what she's making?! Not to mention that she's making me a "wooly booger shawl"! Check out the November 29th entry on my blog if you want a snippet of the email that she sent me!! Who are you secret scarf pal??

-Stacey
Sheep in the City

Last update

This will probably be my last update for a while because my scarf went into the post yesterday. It should get to my pal in a few weeks. Hope you like it.

Hopefully my next post will be about me jumping up and down because there is a soft and squishy scarf package in the mailbox!

Littlemaze

Have the Yarn

Okay, I have the yarn for both the scarf and the mittens. I have the pattern that I want to use for the mittens. But I am thinking of changing the yarn for the scarf. I am currently knitting up a scarf that will be a door prize for a Christmas party and I am loving this yarn quite a bit. I have usesd Plymouth's Brushed Alpaca to make other things out of but not a scarf. It is so light and drapey and warm that I am thinking of switching my scarf yarn to this yarn. But I still have some Christmas knitting to get done before I can start my scarf. So I guess I have a week or so to decide before I start thinking about knitting up my scarf. I just need to figure out what scarf pattern I want to use. I will post a picture of the scarf that I am currently knitting in the next day or so on my blog and here to get some opinions. - Mia

got more of the Koigu

Since the consensus last month seemed to be to go with the Koigu, my goal has been to find something appropriate to make with it. I've been perusing patterns and trying to figure what I wanted to do. And have been anxious about each pattern I've looked at, worried that 2 skeins wouldn't be enough. So I just called the store that I bought it from in May, and they still have the yarn, same batch, and are sending me another skein - whew! Now I can do anything I decide on and not worry about running out.
That's it on the shelf, right next to the knitting Mrs Clause - isn't she cute? A friend of mine who lives in Iowa made her for me last year.

All done!

It's all done!!! Pics are on my blog.

Oh, and person that it's intended for, you feel free to send it right back home because I'm really liking how it turnedout.

Progress report

I just posted some progress pictures of the scarf on my blog- You really can't tell what the color is like from the pictures - it is a much prettier warm plum. The pattern is easy to follow and look really good (IMHO) - I hope the recipient will like it as much as I do!

Maybe?

I think I may have the yarn for my pal's scarf. I'm still looking at some Cascade 220 Tweed at Jimmy Beans (they seem to have a good international shipping policy) but I picked this up at elann in the meantime - Peruvian Collection Sierra Aran in Italian Plum. I hope it is this same colour in real life though I do know that colours over the computer are often a little off. I bought 10 balls because I'm thinking I'll make myself a scarf and mittens too.

I've already let my pal know but it will most likely be after Christmas before I start on her scarf; I just have so much on the go now and I'm drowning in my gift-knitting plans as it is. We're having our Christmas a couple of days early so by actual Christmas, I should be cast on for the scarf provided I can settle on a pattern. I'm loving the Irish Hiking scarf which I've seen all over and I saw an absolutely gorgeous one in solid light blue on a blog the other day. We'll see if this yarn translates well to that pattern; I may end up tweaking it a bit. And of course, I haven't ruled out using the Cascade Tweed instead. Man, I really wish I was decisive!

Almost done

My pal should have her scarf by next week. I have one more pattern repeat, a bind off, two thread tuckings, a wash & block, and then off in the mail!

Wait a minute, maybe I have more work to do than I think.

I'll post a pic as soon as it's finished.