Weekend Roadblocks

After a weekend full of roadblocks, believe it or not I was looking forward to Monday.  While most of the roadblocks were metaphorical, I did encounter a real one that kept me away from my weekend routine. 

I came up with another plan instead.

I wasn't about to let a little triathlon interfere with my knitting time.

On Deck

My Bendy Arrow is almost off the needles, so I consulted my queue and did some winding.

This combination has grabbed my attention on more than one occasion.  When I saw it again the other day, I took it as a sign. Heading into the weekend I always have high hopes for bonus knitting time.  That's rarely the case, but I'm prepared.

Thanks to Downeast Maine for this week's color inspiration.

Morning gray.

Scattered on Wednesday

This is turning into a week of unexpected interruptions.  I'm feeling a bit scattered today, but here's a history lesson.  I was thrilled when I stumbled across this article because it combines two of my favorite things - history and fiber.  

I'm not surprised Queen Victoria knew how to crochet, but I'm amazed she made time to crochet 8 scarves to honor 8 servicemen.  And she was 81 years old when she did it.  I'm impressed.  Read the story for more details.

Quick knitting update.  Yesterday I was on the go with my Bendy Arrow in tow.

I'm finished with stripes for the moment.  This section is all gray with little pops of color.

Knitting and Numbers

I'm a firm believer in modifying patterns.  If I don't like the way something looks or if I prefer a different method, I make the necessary changes.  It's no big deal.  What's the worst that can happen?  If it doesn't work, I can always rip it out.

Sometimes I plot out my modifications.  Sometimes I make them on the fly.  Plotting and planning often requires math, and that's what I did for my Nakarra Wrap.

Instead of using a full skein and a gradient set, I had the bright idea of using two gradient sets.  That led to calculations about yardage and number of repeats.  I finished my first section with yardage to spare.  I still don't know how this will actually look, but my numbers worked.  It's time to switch colors, and I'm optimistic.

Potato Chip Knitting

I should be working on paperwork, but knitting is more interesting.  And it's even more interesting now that stripes are involved.

Bendy Arrow.  Originally I had designated this project for when I'm on the go - a little knitting here, a little knitting there.  This was going to be my project for meetings, appointments and waiting time.  Now that I'm in the striped section, I've had to abandon that plan.  Stripes are my potato chip knitting . . . I can't knit just one.

This week orange has been my color of choice.  In keeping with that theme, here is this week's color inspiration.

An orange glow.

For Good Measure

It's only Wednesday, but this week has already had enough distraction to make my head spin.  In an effort to focus, I started a new project.

Since I finished a shawl last week, I can justify casting on something new.

Just in case one isn't enough, maybe I'll cast on a second project.  And yes, I seem to be on an orange bender.

Pure Joy

After a whirlwind weekend, I'm back at it.  I've already run into numerous glitches this morning, and technology is not my friend, but I'm determined.  Watch out, Monday.

When we left on Friday, I knew it was going to be a mad dash to finish my shawl in time for the wedding on Saturday.  My daughter took the wheel for a bit so I could knit on the road.  Friday night at dinner I was still knitting, but I finished the last row before we contemplated dessert. After dinner amidst a little pre-wedding party, I worked the bind off. 
And before I went to bed, I blocked the shawl.  All in a day's work.

As usual the weather was cool and damp in Downeast Maine.  I was concerned about the drying conditions, so I used the fan for a few hours.

By mid-afternoon on Saturday, the shawl was ready.

Pure Joy.  This design is mostly garter with short row shaping.  Add color combinations and you have a recipe for fun, relaxed knitting.  If I didn't have other pressing projects, I'd cast on another one right away.

The yarn is Lillian Luxe, colorways March Sky and Bee Hive.  There's nothing like a little silk for a special occasion.

And it was a special occasion.

From the setting to the ceremony to the party . . . a lovely, heartwarming celebration.

Fun Family Outing

I'm hitting the road this weekend on a little family adventure. Coordinating schedules is one of my biggest challenges and not everyone in the family can go.  Work schedules and life in general have a way of interfering.

My Pure Joy is still on the needles.  Remember I'm working on those long short rows, so it looks like I'll be binding off and blocking at our destination.  We have a long car ride, and I agreed to do most of the driving.  That was before I realized my shawl wouldn't be finished. Maybe I can convince someone else to take the wheel and give me a knitting break.

I haven't packed my clothes, but my knitting is ready to go.  Believe me, it takes longer to pick my travel knitting than to pack my clothes.

Three projects will be more than enough for the weekend, but I like to have a little variety.  No matter what happens, I'm prepared.

This week's color inspiration is a blast from the past.

Glistening aqua.

The Long and Short of It

I have deadline knitting on my needles, and the sprint to the finish line is on.  

Pure Joy.  This garter shawl features wedges created with a combination of increases and short rows.  The good news is I'm working on the final wedge and am finished with the gray.  It's all gold from here on out.

Just to set the record straight, calling rows short can be misleading. With over 350 stitches on my needles, the short rows aren't really all that short and keep getting longer.   I need this shawl for a special celebration this weekend.  Back to my long short rows.

Leaves of the Lake

Last week I finished a test knit.  Today the pattern is live.

Photo by Casapinka

Leaves of the Lake by Casapinka.

This design is worked on the bias and incorporates fun stitch patterns to create a lovely textured shawl.

Photo by Casapinka

The sections are easy to memorize making this is a good on-the-go project.

The pattern includes two sizes - small takes one skein, large takes two.

Photo by Casapinka

The yarn is Lillian, colorway Heliotrope.

Photo by Casapinka

Perfect for summertime knitting.

I Should Have Known

The other day I started a new, 2-color project.  After I had both colors in play, I hit the pause button and took a little break.  

This is Pure Joy.  I was pondering the contrast between the two colors. It's subtle, and sometimes subtle is OK.  But is that the look I really wanted?  I took a quick glance at the Ravelry project pages for this pattern.  Often it's helpful to see what others have done . . . it helps me clarify what I do and don't like for a particular pattern.

This project is on a tight deadline.  I hated to interrupt the flow of forward progress, but I've played that denial game before - thinking I'll like it better if I just keep going.  More often than not I'm only delaying the inevitable.  Experience has taught me it's better to deal with it right away so I don't have to rip out hours of work.

After I thought about it for a bit, I made a color substitution.  And guess what.  This was my initial choice for a color combination when I started the project.  I should have known.  

Casapinka has designed a new shawl with Lillian and is hosting a giveaway over on Instagram.  Check it out.  The winners will be chosen on Monday.

Life isn't always like a bowl of cherries, but here they are for this week's color inspiration.

Dazzling reds.

More Sprinkles

This is one of those confusing weeks.  After a Tuesday holiday, today feels like Monday.  I have to stop and think twice.

The other day I was having fun with Sprinkles.  One thing led to another and this happened.

Coming this fall.

Just Another Monday

Tuesday holidays are tricky.  It's Monday and some people are already in holiday mode, but for others it's business as usual.  Since I have a little getaway in a couple weeks, I'm keeping my nose to the grindstone.  

Lillian Sprinkles in production. 

Now I'm toying with a couple new sample ideas.

And there's an update in progress.

After shooting, there's editing.  It's a process.

If you're celebrating tomorrow, enjoy the holiday.