Angelarae Knits

Knitting Only

So, it's been a while since I posted here.  I've had a few changes occurring in my life and I have been rather busy with a new job since the beginning of March.  The pay is much better, with a few more hours and compensation for gas, and we all know how important that is.  I have two projects I have been working on since the end of February and, oh, forever.  I am speaking respectively of The Orkney Pi and my Dad's red socks.  First, the Pi shawl:

This is the horseshoe lace portion of the shawl in section 1.

This is a shot of a tree in the 2nd section of this shawl.

Section 4 will be posted March 21.  One of the participating knitters is finished through section three and hers is 7 feet across!  We'll have to see about mine.  I'll have a better idea once I start section three.  I am knitting on size 5 24" circulars, so I can't stretch it out to get an idea of how big it is.   The beauty of this shawl, is that I can stop knitting when it is as big as I want it.  Since I am 5'3" tall, I think 7 feet would be too big. 

Next, Dad's socks:

This picture looks really yellow.  The jitterbug yarn I am using for these is really much nicer than the color I got here.  As you can see, the feet just aren't long enough yet for Dad's size 11 feet.  Will keep knitting.  Knitting two socks at the same time is much slower.  Just so you know.

Blocking Lace

I finished knitting the Branching Out scarf for my sister, today.  This is what it looked like before blocking.

The blocking pics...(my favorite part)  I was unsure about how to use the blocking wires at first, but it turns out to be quite simple.  I just treaded a wire through each long edge and pinned these down until it was as blocked as I wanted.  I think it looks pretty good, at least very close to what I have seen most of you do.

         

 

I think Becky will like it. 

Pattern: Branching Out

Yarn: Misti International Baby Alpaca Laceweight, Periwinkle

Needles: Size 5 straight needles

 

 

Beginnings

Here is what things looked like for me, yesterday morning, a little after 9:00 a.m.

We received our first 'clue' for the Mystic Waters Shawl...3 charts.   This is going to be a large shawl.

A very beautiful shawl, also!

It is to be delivered in 8 separate clues, one each week, with the promise of allowing us to finish sometime before Christmas, so we may wear it during the holidays. 

I set the email option from 'digest' to 'individual emails,' situated myself on one end of our couch where there is both, room to spread out and plenty of direct light, and cast-on for my shawl.

I was a little overwhelmed at first, what with the 3 charts, and how intricate they look, but the pattern has not been difficult and is turning out beautifully.  By that, I mean that I have not had to tink back once.  Those improvements to my lace knitting I talked about earlier, have really helped, as you see.  I was able to finish the first of the 3 charts without pulling my hair out. Yay!  As the size of the charts are already larger than the metal board and magnets I am currently using, I will be using a large cookie sheet and a roll of magnetic strip to follow my charts, as suggested by one of the ladies in the group.  Good idea. 

It is still raining here today, which is a very good thing.  I think the local weather lady said that it will likely rain into Saturday.  I should be ready for sunshine by then, and hopefully, cooler weather. 

I Love This Pattern...

I finally found a lace pattern that I could knit with limited frustration.  It's called 'Branching Out' from Knitty.  I am knitting it with Misti Baby Alpaca Laceweight, #8105-Periwinkle Blue.   This is my all time favorite yarn, because it is sooo soft, comes in beautiful colors, has 437 yards, and is a joy to knit with, all for the bargain price of $6.00 per skein.  I knit this scarf for Mom with Misti Alpaca.  She loves it.