W.I.P.

Low Cal Blueberry Pi: Roughly blocked EZ's half pi shawl in alpaca fine. 6mm clear Ab finish glass beads sprinkled like sugar crystals. Perfect Pi for the calorie conscious.
Tomten Jacket: in WooBu, tension swatch 5.5 sts to inch 5.5 ridges (11 rows) to the inch with a 4mm needle. I originally bought this wool for the Traveling sweater but it didn't work out for me. so now I have new plans for it.
Cast on 221 stitches and just knit back and forth until the pattern arrives..lol then I will worry about what to do next.
Crocus shawlette: whole lot of wet wool. Amazing how it blocks out!
Blocked and drying and only two ends to weave in. Very Happy with the result.
Close up of the edging. Look at those nupps! My father, God rest his soul, used to say, "Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back."....lol
(as usual click on pictures for a close up)

Totally Obsessed

I have been looking for a circular blocking wire for months, nay, years. I read, with abounding joy, over at the Faculty Meeting Knitter , of a source for said wire. I fired off an email, on a Friday evening, to Down In The Country Fibers. Totally amazed the next day to receive an email back apologizing because she didn't catch the noon mail on Saturday. Then I got a credit back for an overcharge on the postage. Service like this is rare indeed. Kudos to Down In The Country.
Detail from the sleeve for the Lily Chin sleeve which I am knitting flat.
I must say that I feel it is a cop out for a designer to say "increase or decrease in pattern" when the "pattern" is lace. Can I do this? Of course. However if I wanted to write a pattern I would. Time constraints mean I now have to use my limited knitting time writing the pattern before I can proceed. Ticks me off and means this dress is going to take even longer to knit.
Now this is total enjoyment. The Crocus Shawlette is moving right along. I have finished row 54 of chart 2. The pictures were taken in natural light and are the exact colour of the wool Colin so cleverly dyed.
Half the work gently blocked. Just look at those nupps. Gorgeous if I do say so.

Feast your eyes on this.....

Those little beggars are NUPPS and I made 'em. Woo Hoo me!
Basking in the glow.

Crocus Shawlette.

The yarn I ordered from KNITMAN'S KITCHEN..... BEFORE, I started my yarn fast has finally cleared Canada Customs. Colin's service is excellent, his colours bright and colour fast and the yarn is always the best quality. It is when the yarn arrives in Canada that the whole thing comes to a grinding halt. I paid duty, taxes and then a handling charge, probably for storing it for over 2 weeks..ridiculous.
This is the 100% Blue Faced Leicester Lace weight (colour, shades of harlot) I previously bought from Colin. I have been looking for JUST the right pattern to showcase the colour. This is the Crocus Shawl.(Ravelry link) The pattern is available in 3 sizes!! I am knitting with a 3mm Addi lace and believe me with out it this pattern would be a bitch to knit. Lots of challenges. I am using #8 silver lined crystal beads.
Yesterday was the first day I have had to sit and knit for an afternoon, uninterrupted by phones or humidity. It was glorious. remember you can " click" on the pictures to see the detail.
This pattern even has nupps. The jury is out on whether I am going to try them again. I wimped out on the first chart and left them out. I am about to start then next chart. We will see. Stay tuned.