Surprise Sunday

I have a wonderful surprise today. Margaret in Manhattan has let me post a picture in progress of her beautiful work on the Alice Starmore sweater called Mardi Gras. It is from the elusive Scottish Collection. I have always adored this design, and when she mentioned it on a knitting list we belong to, I begged for a picture. It is too good not to share, so I asked if I might post it. Here it is in all of its glory. Wow, Margaret! And thank you for sharing it. Look at those colors!!




I have some progress to report on Rhinegold today. My muse, Marina, has been kicking me in the butt again. I really just procrastinate because she threatens to come down here and beat me. Shhhh, it is a ploy to lure her away from her stash so I can capture it. OK. Truth. I just have a short attention span.


I *have* been working on my Season quite diligently lately. I just bound off part of the pattern. More pics up later.



Also have a new pair of socks going for a group I joined recently. It is called Socks for Soldiers. I have to say, I have my own opinions about the war, but I will keep them to myself right now. I don't want to go down that road here. However, I will say I believe that no soldier should be without handmade socks whatever side or military group he may belong in. It is the knitter in me.




And last note, have you checked Eunny Jang's site lately??? She just posted a design she did for the winter Interweave Knits. Wowza! It is a modern fit Fair Isle and I am drooling over it already. She is an amazing designer and spinner. What are you waiting for??? Get over there!

I am a walking drought.

It's true. I was born in the desert and apparently I take it with me wherever I go. We haven't had rain in so long, I can't remember what it looks like. Something like this,



but better. This is a little tease we got. Wind, clouds thunder. It moved on just as I got excited about the possibility. Hummmmppph.

I have been working diligently on the Season of Darkness and Winter Light. I am becoming rather dark myself as I realized my gauge has been getting a little tighter. Sheeesh! It is non-related stress issues. Don't worry, I am fine. Just keep your fingers crossed that this thing fits decently. I think it will be fine in blocking, tho. I will just block the crap out of it on my wooley board. I will have to let the arms on the board drop as these are bell sleeves, but I think it can be done just fine. (fingers crossed)

Here is the steek at the underarm.


It is a really interesting pattern for those of you not familiar. It is knitted in two separate mirrored halves-both from the arm up. The actual body continues sideways in the round to the center back with a steek at the underarm for a few inches. Then they are cut open and grafted together at the center back. It took me a while to actually visualize how this was going to take place. A long while-involving a mini paper pattern and a glass of wine.

And of course, the obligatory pic of the major time consumer of my life. :0)

Season of Darkness aWL update

Moving along a little faster now. I have had some time between lessons and such to get going on it......







as well as work on some other (ahem!) languishing projects.





Stash enhancement from a private seller on the net. I have no self restraint. I admit it freely.




I also just picked up an interlibrary loan. It is A Silkworker's Notebook by Cherl Kolander. Very fascinating. I thought it would only be about the spinning process of silk, but it is so much more. This book contains information about the history and trade of silk, but the main focus seems to be on the properties, functions and types of silk. It also has info on raising silkworms. No, I am not considering it. :0) A great read I highly recommend if you are interested in silk whether it is knitting, weaving or whatever the case may be. I suggest a library though as it is going for quite a bit these days because it is OOP.

Whew!

Ok, I have a few hours left...so I better give you this! My update on Red Hot Sizzling Socks. Which is certainly timely considering that it was a mere 102 degrees here as I finished this sock today. I give you...wooly, sweaty goodness. Pomotomus in Slayer from Sweetgeorgia Yarns.





Also an update picture on the remodeling taking over my life. Practice you say?? Reed making? Knitting? I have barely had time. But here is where we stand. Now I will colorwash and seal it. Keep your fingers crossed as I am not sure how that will turn out. But, I am not really a big yellow fan, so I have to antique the color just a bit. What do you think about the texture? It makes me happy!



And here is my miniscule progress on the SoDaWL. I can't wait to get back to it. And my Rhinegold...and Luskentyre.........and Little Rivers.........Marina, I hear you laughing. Please go look at the one Mandy is knitting! It looks great. The color combination is winning me over. We were both a little unsure of it, but she took the plunge and I am glad she did. Also, check out her vintage lace blouse. It is really fabulous. Really nice, Mandy. I can't wait to see it on.

Why remodeling got delayed....

How could we disturb that?

Here is the beginnings of what we are after. I think I will end up colorwashing it later on this week. What do you think? Cool, huh?





And a little Season update. No pics. Perhaps tomorrow...A little farther, but the kitchen is taking precedence, so it is only a little. Mandy is on the back stretch and closing in fast! C'mon, Mandy!

And my Pomatomus socks for the Red Hot Sizzling Socks. Hmm. ......it needs to be finished July 15 and this is.........July..8??!!!! Oh, crap!