This was the initial sock, but I didn't like that the pattern wasn't exactly visible, so as you can see below, I changed to a solid color. This is also Knit Picks sock yarn. The green is their Essentials, done on size 1 dpns. 

The top is a crocheted picot edging done with an E hook. Only took a second.  

This is the chart! I've mapped it out on large graph paper, easier to read. And the heel shaping and toe directions are on the side. So, now I've got to get into Excel and chart it out properly... (yuck!) 

Emerald Fall is the name of these socks that I've knit. I have the chart and pattern ready to go for these. I finished this sock in 1 1/2 days. So their not very difficult to knit. It's just keeping a close eye on the chart and following it all the way to the toe of the sock. 

And here is the shawl so far. I'm about 1/3 of the way through. It's almost time to go to a 32 or 36" needle. This is Knit Picks lace weight alpaca. It comes in like a 400 or so yd. hank. It's very, very nice to use. 

Here is my charted version of the lace I'm trying to knit. It's crude at best, but it's working so far. All of the stitches are coming out even on both sides. This is supposed to be a triangular shawl, and will have a knitted on edging when done. We'll see. I'm beginning to understand lace knitting charts a bit more, but it's trial and error just like anything else. But I love to knit lace. So I figured nows as good a time as any to see if I can figure it out for myself. Progress posts later... 

I put the shawl on the white wall to capture the full shawl. This is the best I could get. But, it's still pretty nonetheless. I enjoyed knitting this shawl, and will probably make another for myself :) This one is going to someone special, but she doesn't know it yet! 

Katie modeling the Swallowtail finally. Just a closeup of the detail and the pretty blueish color of the fiber... 

I've already blocked the back of the vest so far. I had to see how it would look blocked out and ready to sew together. I'm loving it, yeah! The front is coming along nicely, except, I could already be done, but I can't put down the Sheep Shawl. I MUST..... :( 

And this is a new shawl. Yeah, I started something else, the Sheep Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark. I don't know what was the matter, but I just couldn't quite figure out the other pattern. It wasn't making sense to me on one side. The mirror imaging just wasn't coming out right according to the directions. So, when I get more time, I'm going to sit down and map it out on graph paper so that I can see it, and it makes more sense. In the meantime, the Sheep Shawl is going along as smoothly as ever! What's to be expected? I mean hey, it's Evelyn Clark! 

I've finished spinning ALL of the corriedale! 1 lb. worth. I spun it all laceweight. It's gorgeous, and all the twist is set. I spun it in a single. Love it, just love it. 

VESTS & CABLES FRIDAY!

Well, I've finished the back of the vest so far. I think I may put some sleeves on this after all and call it a sweater. We'll see how much yarn I have left after the front is done. Charlotte only donated 4 hanks of this millspun yarn of hers for the auction item. Costs you know!, more knitting to do, gotta get this done so I can get back to the fair isle, and the shawl.... 

Another bobbin almost full of the lace weight corriedale that I've been spinning for the shawl. I'm potentially rethinking the Summer in Kansas shawl for another Swallowtail shawl? :0 I don't know yet! 

I had to start the shawl! I couldn't wait, especially after I finally decided what I was going to make with the handspun. So here is my progress so far! I love it! It seems to be an easy going pattern so far. Only 4 rows to remember for the first 253 stitches, and that shouldn't take long since two are just purled back.... happy knitting and spinning all. 

"Summer in Kansas" is what I've decided to knit with the handspun. I love this pattern, and this shawl. I've wanted to knit it for awhile and ordered this pattern from Mrs. Heckaman about a year or so ago, but hadn't decided to knit it until now! 

So far this is how much of the corriedale that I've spun to start knitting something pretty and lacy. And yes, you do see a pattern there. I've decided on something... (isn't that creamy color gorgeous?) 

Here is progress on the aran vest for Charlotte's so far. I've done quite a bit today. I had to post again with pics of this because I'm almost ready to start the underarm shaping! Yeah. But that's what happens when you knit with big needles and big yarn. No pattern, but I have drawn it out and done some specs. Will post pics of vest and specs that I have so far tomorrow! :) 

SWALLOWTAIL DONE!

This is the best picture that I could get with the shawl done! Katie decided she didn't feel like modeling it for me yesterday. The stripes are cool. I didn't spin the yarn that way on purpose, it just came out that way knitted up. The pattern was pretty easy, and I want to knit it again! 

Charlotte's yarn! She had this processed through Wooley Knob mill. Now I'm knitting it up for the Prairie Winds Retreat festival in September. I'm going to make a vest from it for auction. I started it last night and did one set of cables done before bed, posting more later :) 

Swallowtail shawl (Evelyn A. Clark - Interweave Knits Fall 2006) all done and blocking on the floor. I finished it last night, and put it to soak in the sink all night! I actually fell asleep and forgot that it was in there! Hard to believe I know, but what can I say? It was perfectly ready for rinsing and blocking this morning though, and the cats stayed away because I closed the door! There would have been white hairs everywhere, and it wouldn't have been pretty for that black! I will be posting pics of Katie modeling it later :) 

This is all that's left of the 1 lb. of corriedale. It's getting low! more pics to come later. I've been spinning like crazy :) 

ROSES!!!!!!!

What woman doesn't LOVE flowers? Especially roses? Well, I received these beauties this morning from my hubby! They are part of our pre-anniversary present from him. There he is in the background trying not to look to conspicuous. Aren't these the prettiest flowers you've ever seen? Well, they are to me! Our anniversary is on Monday, so he's starts to give me little gifts (cards, flowers, etc. hey, hay, hey, hay, hey, hay ::::)))) leading up to the big day. It's 7 years! Time flies.... anyway, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY honey! 

Yes, yes, yes!!!! (thanks Meg Ryan - Sleepless in Seattle), but that's not why I'm saying Yes! It's the corriedale. I've spun a bobbin full and set the twist already! I couldn't help it, honestly! It was just looking at me sitting there in the bag, begging to be spun. And what to be spun into? Some wonderfully delightful lace weight (or as close as I could come). It's just soooo yummy! I don't know any other way to describe it. It's like silk. Reminds me of merino, but sooo fluffy. Anyhow, if you want to spin some really nice fiber go to www.coppermoose.com They are fast with shipping it to ya to, if they have it in stock! Which, when he runs out, it's not a surprise considering how nicely prepared their fiber is.... :) 

SWALLOWTAIL SHAWL

Here is the progress that I've made so far on the shawl that I started yesterday from the handspun fiber I bartered Julie D. out of. It's very nice to knit with and coming out nicely I think. We'll see as we go along. That's what I love the most about rare fibers, and rare coloring combos :) 

1 lb. of corriedale from Copper Moose. Lovely! Can't wait to maybe do some dyeing with this stuff... But, as you can see from the pic below, I had to of course start spinning it... :)