Sautee Sunset Summer Scarf Progress

Progress on Sautee Sunset summer scarf I'm making. The colors again are faded due to poor quality on my Ipad camera. I hope to get you a truer representation of the vivid, gorgeous colors when I get my camera fixed. I thought I would share my progress.

This yarn is Santorini which is 58% viscose and 42% cotton. Its a great combo. For a little history I looked up the viscose and basically its a rayon that actually has been around since the 1800's. I found a great little history site discussing cotton and viscose.

If you are interested in a bit more about the type of textile and why it is put in some yarns/fabrics, this is a good short read. I learned a few history bits about it.

click HERE

I started not to post pics as they are faded colors until I could get my camera into working order. Seems like a cloud or lavender effect in these pics but you will get the jist of the design.

I do get a few rows in  each morning really early or at lunchtime. 

I am using a sweet little heart marker progress keeper from Molly.

Her podcast and website is A Homespun House.

I'm starting on the second skein.

Each skein is 125 yards.

I was so surprised at how far the the first one was.

The colorway only has a number and is 2107

It is from Classic Elite Yarns.

I purchased this in Dahlonega Ga at Magical Threads.

I'm using a number 7 Addi circular needles

The actual colors are so vivid and actually look like a sunset on a clear day.

I made increases and decreases to create a "mountainous" effect.

I'm looking forward to incorporating this in my wardrobe with denim and a crisp white shirt and it will also be great into early Fall due to the autumn deep rust colors and navy scattered throughout.

The cotton and viscose with a lace pattern make it a great Summer accessory, not too hot, just right to still wear something you knit!

Our sunsets and sunrises here in North GA mountains are breaktaking.

It is awesome to be inspired to create living here. 

Future posts will show accurate colors of this project with the help of Mr. Darcy soon.

Here's hoping you are getting the weekend starting off at peace and have something on your needles to enjoy this cool Spring air!

For our weekend, we are going out to eat and working around the house cleaning out and donating many many bags of items, and actual pieces of furniture to the local battered women's shelter.

So far we have donated 8 large bags. Much more to go as I simplify our living space. 

See ya soon!

Jennifer

Morning Progress Day 2--Knitting Shawl Kaihola by Heidi Alander

Progress

I usually have hardly any time to really dig into a project in one day but this is my progress so far. 

One thing I need to let you know is the color is off pretty bad here. These pics are by my Apple Ipad mini. The color is better represented like a cornflower blue in person. 

But.....................you get the drift...........

I'm still working top down on this pattern for the "body" section which is stockinette and edging special stitches to make it hopefully openwork when blocked.

This shawl is curling like a hot mess. One thing about stockinette that we have to embrace :)

I made a huge mistake last night and because I didn't have a lifeline, I incorporated it into the pattern.  

Doesn't look bad at all. I'm enjoying this alot. 

This looks like the bottom of the shawl but it's actually the top.

I've enjoyed learning the KYOK

That ridge row is a mistake but I just went with it. It actually adds some character and I might put another in after another repeat.

As stockinette is known for, it's curling like a hot mess right now.

But this yarn is like butter I  tell you.......butter.

The hand-dyed colorway is gorgeous.

You can read my previous post for info on brand and colorway. I only wish I had got more than 2 large skeins because I want to add xtra rows to make it bigger in the body section which is an option in the pattern. 

I haven't got near the lace charts yet.  I have another repeat at least of the body section. The lace charts will be the challenging part as this will be my first project from reading charts. 

My knitting friend who is a master knitter has confidence in me she said that I will be able to do it.

I love the edging this makes. This is actually the top edging of the shawl when finished.

The fabric is heavenly soft. I think it will add quite a few inches when blocked.

I will say I miss knitting with Addi lace ROCKETS. Those have much more pointed tips and seemed easier but this is what my LYS had Addi lace so I'm going with it!

Hope you are enjoying this Sunday! I'm resting up for another very busy week of work. 

Knitting and listening to music recharge my soul.

Stay safe and cool,

Jennifer

Almost Finished with My Knitted Shawl and Ideas for Paying It Forward

Almost there.

This is spread out right now with a number 6 Addie Turbo lace circular 32 in. on a Queen size bed. 

Well, good evening!

This has been one of the busiest weeks. I'm in a forensics examiner class which has been pretty intense this week. However, I have been learning so much I hope will help expand my role as a practitioner and help sexual assault victims. 

On the stitching front, I made much progress and almost near the end to bind off now.

This is the remainder of the third skein and when completed will be 660 yards of a shawl

I cast on in April after shopping at Looped Yarnworks in Washington, DC. I hope to be casting off by the end of the weekend.

This one will definitely be blocked after a good, gentle hand wash and then loved in all it's sweetness on cool Summer evenings in the mountains.

I put a ribbon with some sweet, gold roses at the center of the lower back. The ribbon lace is actually a coral pink, but showing a totally different cast of color with my I pad phone camera here. The shawl is actually more of a coral pink but the camera today is pulling out more of the purple blue tone.

I've read much about prayer shawls and this very well could be one as I have prayed much through the making of it. 

The thought crossed my mind that wouldn't it be very helpful if there were comfort shawls available for sexual assault victims at a rape crisis center?  This is something I'm thinking about for paying it forward in the community. Has anyone heard of this charity kind of work at a rape crisis center in your area or others?

Well, back to reading forensics research studies and preparing papers for tomorrow.

Stay safe, happy and most of all.......healthy, my friends!

Jennifer

Progress on Mr. Darcy's Scarf

Good morning, friends!  It's Saturday, and OH what much laundry and cleaning that has to be done. 

Just thought I would followup on this scarf that I learned the lesson about when knitting a stockinette with only one knit stitch border.  I have also recently bought a handheld garment steamer, a Shark, and I think this will help with the uncurling as well. I plan to lightly steam and then pin to block when I finish.

I've actually seen good results when I store it  by rolling it up flat at night. I haven't worked on it in several days because on work days, I'm exhausted when I get home. But here is my progress.

We have a large leather sofa, so you can gauge the size by that.

I'm a little more than half way done.

This is for a tall man, Mr. Darcy so I'm using 3 whole thick skeins of the Bernat.

Although this is a blurry picture, you can see where I changed from stockinette to garter.

Th color is most truest in this pic. The yarn is not really soft, but not hard either. It's pretty thick so I'm using my wood straights.

colorway is Denim Jeans

using 3 balls/skeins

So, I'm at a standstill until I can get some things done today, I have planned out. I'm doing some really early, early early Spring cleaning. I'm donating alot of stuff because I just feel a cluttered environment is too stressful. I also have committed myself to the local domestic violence shelter in many ways and one is donation of things I don't use or have too many of, so it can be given to someone else who has less.

It'a REALLY windy day here in the North Georgia mountains. I can hear the wind whistling around the corners of the house. My chimes are very active right now. 

I enjoyed a good fire in the woodstove last night and makes me forget the raining and cold outside!

Miss Abbie is cuddled in her "day bed" and taking a morning nap. And I am writing this morning and sipping coffee with Bailey's Red Velvet Cake creamer and sugar.

Have a great Saturday. Tune in tomorrow for a Valentine design. I hope you like it. It's simple and would look great in a redwork design!

Jennifer

My Review of ChiaoGoo Interchangeable Red Lace Knitting Needles

 

I went to knit group last year and right before class, the owner of Bumbleberries in Clarkesville, GA had this yarn on a clearance rack. The skein is HUGE. I was drawn to the teal colors and subtle colorway. Of course I can't find the tag that was on this large skein right now. I usually keep them but now can't find this one. I wish I could tell you more about it.

I made up this knit design so that it flows in blocks using knit and purl stitches. Using number 10 needles as it's somewhat bulky and what was called for on the yarn tag.

I picked this back up and put these on circular needles instead of straights and moving much faster.

 

 

Needles are ChiaoGoo in the interchangeable set Red Lace. I really got a deal on Ebay recently as someone just didn't like the way the needles felt in her hand so she sold them at a fraction of the cost. I mean FRACTION. I had to reread it twice. She only used them a couple of times and I was so blessed to have found this the very day she put them on Ebay. At first I thought something had to be wrong with them at that price but it's not. I have small hands so they fit perfectly for me. I can see how someone with larger hands may not be as comfortable although the needle tips are 5 inches long.

 

The Chiao Goo Interchangeables Red Lace Circular Set, comes in a compact and very organized zippered holder, with a pack of markers, cords (6), measurer, needle card, T-pins to tighten, and 4 end pieces to hold work if you want to store for later.

 

I had already used a ChiaoGoo needle in the past and really loved them. I used Addi ones last year and I will have to say for the price I like these just the same, if not more so. I found through experimentation that I prefer circulars on all projects even when patterns are written flat.

There is no snag at the joins. They do stay together well when used with the T-pin. The cords are plentiful in size variation and the quality of the cords are excellent.

 

 

 

 

 

zip-zip

 

 

This is all in the side pocket. I love the colors of the markers.

 

 

 

Each slot has a label sewn in for the number and the number is inscribed on the needles.

 

 

Please excuse Abbie's white hair. It gets on everything even though I try to remove it all.

 

 

 

 

 

Both large and small of all sizes have their own place tucked inside this little bag.

 

 

So, yeah, this is really a good deal I think, but I know everyone has their own opinions.

 

In summary, I love the ChiaoGoo Interchangeable Red Lace knitting needle kit because:

 

• it's so compact and organized
• the stainless steel needles are very pointy which I like for any project
• they have smooth joins and do not snag yarn
• options for needles sizes 2-15 cover a lot of patterns
• the 6 cords are made very sturdy and there is no aggravation with winding up like nylon
• you can make the cords even longer by joining two
• comes with plenty of markers and end pieces for small and large cords
• the side zipper pouch holds all the accessories
• I love metal needles slick and pointy nature for faster knitting.
• I love the classic color of the case itself.
• you can buy additional cords to fit them. Chiagoo cords however, as other name brands do not fit (which makes sense) and they are very affordable.
• the number size is easy to read on the needle itself
• these do not have bends in the lower part of the needles (some do but I don't like that)
• I love that I waited for a year to get a steal like this instead of ordering a set at full price as this was listed for 75% off retail and hardly used at all.

I LOVE< LOVE

Goodbye wood needles, goodbye straight needles and HEeeeeeellow ChiaoGoo RED needles

 

I just love red anyways. It's a really close favorite color of mine but Pink is my favorite.

I do love the classic Black, white and red together. Just classy. And functional, and very cost effective.

So what needles are your favorites?

Have you tried ChiaoGoo ones? If so, how did you like them?

 

 My dearest husband has just returned with a cord of wood and putting it away so a cozy fire in a few in the wood stove while I knit a while.

 

May God Bless you this weekend with lots of love, coziness, kindness, memories, and a sweet loving companion to share it with,

 

Jennifer