Catching Up, Part 2

KNITTING

Despite having three unfinished lace shawls, I have started another one, the 2009 Goddess Anniversary Shawl. I had hoped to finish the 2008 shawl before starting this one but I broke a needle and had to wait for the replacement.

This pattern is different from other styles I have attempted. There are six triangular sections with a straight center section. The first clue was uploaded last Saturday morning and I started that evening. There are only 33 stitches to start with but you increase 12 stitches every four rows, so the piece gets bigger pretty fast. I finished Row 64 last night, just in time for Clue 2 which was released this morning. This one only has 40 rows, but again, the increases will add a total of 120 stitches by the time the clue is finished.

End of Clue 1 on 2009 shawl. The circular needle isn't long enough to stretch the entire piece out.

This is a pair of socks I made using Cat Bordhi’s Simple Sock pattern from “Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles.” I can’t remember what the yarn was and it’s not in my Ravelry stash and I can’t find the remaining yarn, so that will have to be a mystery for a while. I mostly knit toe-up patterns and this one is a top down, but it fits pretty well so I am using it for the Jojoland Melody that I bought at KnitWicks in Rogers, Arkansas when we were on vacation last year.

It is really soft and such a gorgeous teal color. I’m about 3/4 finished with the second sock; may be able to complete it later this week if I finish Clue 2 of the shawl quickly.

This photo shows both colors of the Melody, although the pink one is really more of a dark peach.

The 2008 CAL afghan blocks are ready to be sewn together. To make the job easier, I crocheted the same two-row edging around each of the 15 blocks. This was supposed to be a stash project but I ran out of the lavender I was using for the edging with about 5 blocks to go and had to buy another skein. It’s labeled as no dye lot but it does not match exactly. Once they are sewn together, I will start edging the entire piece. Not sure yet what pattern I will use but I will definitely use only stash. If I run out before a row is completed, I’ll switch to another color. I did the squares in a variegated, so I have a lot of leeway. I’m using pure acrylic for this one. Nobody can call me a yarn snob.

I have only done one 2009 CAL afghan block so far. Actually two – a 12” and a 6”. So that means I’m four months behind, soon to be five. However, these blocks can usually be crocheted in about two hours, so I’m not worried.

Coming Soon: Quilting and Sewing