A New Knit Finish--Mantle of the Garter shawlette

So.

I was looking for a good stashbuster to use up the remaining precious cotton/viscose from Italy yarn from the last project. I found on Ravelry a great free pattern HERE called Mantle of the Garter by Margaret Anderson Kilfoil.

It's a good TV knitting or traveling or waiting around in doctor's offices kind of project.

I finished it last night at midnight and had a million ends to weave in until about 1am.

This morning, I stretched in on the chaise on the back porch where tiny bits of morning sunlight could show you a bit.

The coloring is not that great because again I used my Ipad camera.

I used my teeny little decorative pins to hold it a bit.

The morning sun filters through and it's nice and cool out. The shadows cast are not so great but you can get a general idea.

I even used a section of the English Roses by Malibrigo that I made a shawl last year in. It was just enough to finish up the remaining skein and blended so well in the shawlette.

 

I plan to wear with a navy blue summer dress or a white Tshirt and jeans.

Things I learned from this project:

Even though I used cotton as the main fibers, I would suggest using the much springier, fiber that the pattern calls for. I used up 2 balls of stash yarn together with straight cotton. I also use a remaining Malibrigo merino called Old English Roses from a previous project.

Cotton /viscose has give. Plain cotton doesn't so much. 

Reinforces my love for my favorite cotton yarn for my budget I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby. You can find any color for any cotton project and for the yardage per skein and the quality it beats all for me. I go to it when I know I want much variety for straight up cotton.

This is a shawlette and I would probably, if knitted again, increase more and make it larger for a shawl.

Weaving in ends is still my notoriously least favorite part of knitting. That being said, when my last end is woven in, the pure rush of a finished project is a good thing. A real good thing. Like finally finishing and completing something.

And that, my friends, has been my easy knit project while going through yet another eye surgery last Friday. I had a trabeculoplasty in the left eye. Lets say the weekend was rough but I go for my post op today and better with exception of the sunlight. 

Sunlight is no longer my friend even with my really good sunglasses.

Around the homestead, while cleaning the back porch on these most gorgeous of cool Summer days, I saw one really large Turkey. I think she is trying to find a place to nest for her babies.

Not sure but I'm glad this Summer they are back.

Also saw 3 deer just outside the window and when I looked at one, he peaked around a tree at me. He was so funny. I think it was mother and 2 babies.

My next project I'm getting together from a KAL but really I missed the first 4 weeks so it will be later than the KAL on Ravelry. However the pattern looks more challenging and all the clues to the mystery knit a long have been given. The yarn is fingering and it's using 6 colors for a shawl.

I will post soon the skeins and the colors and my cast on.

Hope all is well with you and remember to enjoy some part of the day and spread love and compassion wherever you go.

Till later,

Jennifer

Breast Cancer Awareness leather necklace with ceramic beads

Today I was inspired to design some beadwork for a special place in my heart as a women's health nurse practitioner and as a friend to many who have survived this disease.

 

 Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon beadwork.

 

The colors are pink and black, with silver accents and silver clasp.  The black braided 18 inch necklace holds 9 of the ceramic beads designed specially for breast cancer awareness. This is tucked neatly in a pink organza pouch for gifting or for your own safe keeping.

 

I just added this to the Feathersinthenest Etsy shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One custom made and more to come!

 

I hope your weekend is going well and your creative juices are flowing. Besides making this beautiful piece of jewelry today, I have worked on a vintage lilac, cotton/silk blend yarn, lace scarfette.

 

 

This shawl is also featured in Etsy now. Take a look-see!

It's perfect for Summer over sleeveless tanks and dresses.

 

Till later,

Jennifer

Finished Summer Shawl

I'm so pleased with finishing this. The yarn is really 50/50 cotton/ acrylic like Tshirt material, well-worn. This is going to be great to throw over tanks or t-shirts this Summer and the color really goes well with denim jeans.

 

My Comfort Summer Shawl

With a simple tie in the front, this will be a staple in my Summer casual wear. I also have a silver ring I can use instead of the tie method and just scoot it up front to be a nice touch with silver jewelry.

I really didn't use any particular pattern. I just gartered mostly with adding knit front to back stitches to increase gradually. I cast on about 15 stitches to start.

I will not block this one as it's stretchy and soft and already is how I like it with airy spaces. I stitched this Sensations yarn "Boardwalk" (from Joanne's Crafts) with a # 15 inch circular 19in. It was quite full but held all the stitches until binding off.

I used only 1 skein which has 379 yards on it. I had about 30 yards left. I did that on purpose to make Miss Abbie a matching piece.

I don't have a swimming pool but if I did, I would imagine I could use this as a lower bathing suit cover by tying it to the side.

This was certainly fun to stitch as it was the kind of mindless stitching that even watching a movie or TV show was possible while working with it.

On a more somber note, I have been watching the pictures on TV of the deadly Oklahoma storm and my prayers go out to all affected. I hope my stitchy friends from Oklahoma are not hurt.
Watching this, reminds me I should never complain for I'm blessed more than I realize.
I can't imagine how frightened it was for parents not to be able to find their children. Just devastating.

Dear God,

I love you and praise you for all you have done in our lives. I specifically pray this morning for the victims and families of the people in Oklahoma touched by the devastation of the storm yesterday. We cannot fathom what this storm left to the victims, what they went through and still going through in its aftermath.
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We praise your name and thank you for our blessings. We don't always understand, dear God, why these tragedies happen, but we put faith in you, to minister to all the survivors and their families. Please help them find the recovery they need and embrace the rescuers as they expend massive amounts of energy to save those still trapped. We will pray without ceasing for hope for more survivors.

We pray this prayer in your name,
Jennifer