A Knitting Kind of Day (What Day Isn't??)

A wonderful day to knit. I am off work today, and have a nice amount of time to knit this morning! I happen to be going along pretty well on my Yarn Fairy Mystery Shawl, just about 1/3 done with the final clue. I expect to be finished within a day or two, if all goes well.

How about that pink wall paper? We bought a house in May of this year, and I love it so much. BUT, that paper has got to go. It is a throwback to the early 90's and is completely covering every wall of the master bedroom. Even on the light switches. Too much. I never thought I would say "too much PINK"!! haha! But this is really bad. I probably won't have the time or energy to get to it until after the holidays are over, but I intend to strip it off and do something with the room to make it beautiful.

Let's see...what else has been going on? I have a job now, and yes, I am the one knitting in the breakroom. It is such a  good stress reliever.

The Kitman Mystery Shawl (Koi) is over with, I downloaded every clue to my computer, but after casting on, I frogged it and put the yarn back in it's bag. I really have other shawls I'd rather be working on and think I will save that for now. I don't even feel the least bit guilty! And really, I can lay the guilt on myself like no other!

It was nice to hear from my friend, Judy, who left me a comment on one of the last posts. I'm surprised to see anyone still checking this blog, really. I had deserted it for so long! But it is nice to have everything going again. Even my camera seems to be cooperating with me this time. That is usually my biggest problem! I always think it would be a good idea to take  a Digital Photography class for beginners, but where would I find the time? And how would I take that time away from my knitting? It's a scary thought!

Serendipity (Mystery Stole 4)

Way BackWhen, I began a stole with the Mystery Stole 4 group on Yahoo. I made the mistake of buying Malabrio laceweight to knit it with, and wasn't really happy with it. The yarn is soft as butter, and will probably feel great once it is knit up and around my neck, but in the meanwhile, it catches on my dry hands, and is simply too light to feel comfortable to knit with. This is MHO only, mind you. I am sure that lots of knitters love it.

Anyhow, after catching up and finishing all the UFO's in my knitting baskets, closets, bins and bags, there was the poor little wadded up thing, half knit and patiently waiting for me to pick it up again. I think I heard a slight wimper from the plastic bag it was in. (maybe it was simply gasping for air)

Long story short, it is a tribute to my talent at laying guilt trips on myself to say that I am nearly finished with the thing now.

I had nearly just thrown it out a few times, especially when I was cleaning out my craft closet in order to pack and move from Washington. But every time I came close to letting it go, something stopped me.

Now that it is nearly done (I have only chart #5 to go and then the big weaving session),I am glad to be finishing it. Of course, you will have to check back with me AFTER the weaving to see if I stick with that opinion. The stole, which is now available as a pattern by Georgina Bow Creations on the Pink Lemon Twist Blog, is knit inward from each end, meeting close to the middle and then the two sections are woven together. Georgina is sweet and the pattern is really well written. She was very helpful to the group, and I am pretty certain that she would give support for her patterns. It was the first lace shawl pattern I ever used beads with and her instructions for that were impeccable. The pattern, called Serendipity, is now sold together with a matching sock pattern.

According to Georginas' Websters New World Dictionary, Serendipity is an apparent aptitude for making accidental fortunate discoveries. Evidently my discovery is that finishing this Mystery stole is not only a "Mystery", it's a Miracle!! And in the end, one that I am glad of!