New Projects, FO's and Some Art

As you might have guessed from the title, there have been a few things going on around here. Lots of little stuff, but lots of little stuff makes up one decent sized blog post, I think.

So, to start with, I did go ahead and cast on for some new projects, finishing a couple this week. I still have the Kiri Shawl and Vest, in about the same place I left them last. Hopefully I will get to them soon, but not for now because there are other things going on. For example, a couple more dishcloths. These are in addition to the couple I mentioned last week, of which the pictures stank.

I rather like the round one. It is the Pinwheel dishcloth. The other is from the "Page a day" knitting calendar for this year, September 24. Don't tell me you don't look ahead and pick out things to make before the actual day on the calendar page? Anyway, it has a sun design knit into it, which of course you can not tell from this picture. Trust me though, it is nice and peppy on this dark, gray day.

The next finished object is a hat I started and completed in a couple of hours on Sunday.Pattern: Noro Kureyon One-Ball Wavy Gravy Hat, Yarn: Kraemer Mauch Chunky

When my mom saw the hats I recently made for the girls, she said "You know, I wouldn't be opposed to having one of those myself". Since my mom has never asked me to make her a thing, I felt the urge to make one right away. I did modify the pattern a bit though.

First, I was out of single skeins of Noro and wanted to use something from the stash. Second, Mom's head is a bit larger than average. This meant that while I can comfortably wear the hat I made for A., mom cannot. So, I decided to make her hat with a chunky weight yarn, but kept the number 0f cast-on stitches the same. I did only complete 6 repeats instead of 9, but otherwise, it's the same as all of the others. Purple is her favorite color too, so I think she will be pleased.

I also finished my last square for the "Great American Afghan". It definitely does not photograph well, so you'll just have to trust me when I say I think it looks pretty good. My final count on the afghan squares is 4. I learned something with each one and really enjoyed them. I can't remember if I mentioned that RaNaye has asked me to teach the classes for her shop on the squares I knit. I think that will be fun.

I have cast on for one other project which is still in the works. It is the "Diamonds and Pearls Shawl" from The Knitter's Book of Yarn. I picked up the book last week because I had been hearing rave reviews about it and I have to say, it is really great. The fiber info in the book is really interesting and the patterns are wonderful! I think I have earmarked about 15 that I want to make, which must be a new record for me!

As I was flipping through the book though, the Diamonds and Pearls Shawl really caught my attention. Then I saw that it was made with a single skein of Art Yarns' "Silk Rhapsody". I just happen to have 1 skein of said yarn that has been burning a hole in my stash. Here is a picture to remind you:

I bought it on my trip to Washington in November with Katrina and Robert.

This is how far I have gotten in just a couple of hours:

It is going to be a really fast knit. It doesn't hurt that it is an incredibly dreamy knitting experience. I don't usually favor yarns with mohair, but I LOVE this yarn! I think the final shawl is going to be pretty small, but it will make a very lovely scarf, so I am not concerned.

Finally, as a reward for reading this far, I am going to treat you to a lovely piece of art my 4 year old gave me today:

The description goes something like this: "That's a picture of you mommy, with a hat on so that the wind doesn't blow your hair off. That thing next to you is a bucket, full of raspberries. On the other side is a bush with raspberries. And the purple house is ours and the blue one is the neighbors." Don't you just love it! I'm looking forward to those sunny raspberry days!