Miscelaneous

This is my third attempt in a week to write a blog post. The computer ate my previous efforts (it crashed and refused to yield up my efforts when I got the damn thing running again). So much is going on that I'll just write a miscelany.

Item the First

I finished the third effort at the Spiral Stair Shawl. This one is in a blend of merino and mohair and was hand dyed by my friend Lucy. I think it came out well, and the other morning, I cast on the fourth effort at this shawl.

It's a crappy picture, but it's the only one I have of this iteration of the shawl.

Item the Second

I have been moving my bins of yarn to the basement of my friends Laura and Bill. I sublet from my roommate, and he is in danger of being evicted. If he goes, I go. So I'm getting the important stuff out of the house before the landlord gets the chance to leave it on the sidewalk. So far there are about 19 bins of yarn that have been moved. There are still 8 in my room, but a lot of the yarn in these particular bins needs to be put into ziploc baggies. I am currently out of baggies and don't plan a trip to La Boutique Target (that's French) until later this weekend. Then I'll finish bagging, and then I'll finish moving the bins. I'm keeping the yarn for the next 10 or so projects, but what'll I do when those are all knit up? Of course, their front door is a climb of about 30 steps up from the street, and then when in the house, one must navigate down a narrow set of steps to the basement. It's always an adventure!

Item the Third

One of the things I found whilst bagging my yarn is this sweater I began sometime between 2005 and 2007. The back panel is done, and about half of the front. It's in Berocco's Peruvia, and I think at some point I might even pick it up again and finish it. I kind of remembered it was floating around somewhere, but I wasn't quite sure where. I'm glad I found it.

It's a Gurnsey by Yankee Knits, the ribbed sections are actually in black alpaca.

Item the Fourth

I am a yarn whore. I know this. Gods below! I have 26 bins of yarn, and I need to buy yet another to fit all the yarn I got when I was at the NH Sheep and Wool Festival. My friend Huw sent me this picture, and I quite agree.

Item the Fifth

About ten days ago I hit a patch of not knowing what to knit. I had just finished a project, and while I have a long list of projects I want to get done, I couldn't decide which one. I cast on three different ones, and they are still sitting by my bed, the stitches cast on and nothing more accomplished. What I finally realised was that I really wanted to knit with the Mad Color yarn I'd gotten at NHS&W. Dyed a vibrant red, Rock Lobster, it's a Blue Face Leicester wool that is lovely to work with. I only wish it were a slightly heavier yarn, since I'm knitting on US size 3 needles, which is about as small as my paws can handle. But I'm loving the texture and colour variation, and the soft feel of it.

This is the fourth edition of this shawl that I am making for all the women on my holiday list this year. This is three-and-a-half repeats of the pattern.

Item the Sixth
I am looking for patterns for a cowl for my friend Dolci. I made a New Bittersweet Cowl for her sister, but I am reluctant to make the same pattern, since the second time usually looks better than the first attempt. I need to hit up Ravelry today. I think that will be very pleasant.