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.

I can't believe I am trying this again!

I am a brute for punishment. Then again I would like to celebrate all the weight I have lost. What better way than knitting a lace dress? Lily Chin's Lace Dress is going to be attempted AGAIN.
Like a fool I ordered the pattern from the Vogue website and, yes people, they took my $6 and gave me the privileged of downloading the same pattern they published in fall of 2007. The graph is the same but the written instructions attempt to clarify. Mea Culpa, at first glance I thought they had screwed up again but after careful perusal I think they have explained it.
I will knit the sleeves flat, seaming has no terrors for me. (edited)
I have one full wedge finished on the Traveling sweater. It is good for TV watching in the evening. Speaking of, I am in the middle of watching the Vicar of Dibley. Dawn French is a scream. Can you imagine being in the same room with her and her husband Lenny Henry ("Chef")? She wears the most fascinating "jumpers" on the show. She was the operatic painting in the Harry Potter movies. I digress as usual.