Blue Moon

     A small, 3in brass ring that I wrapped in light blue thread and webbed in dark blue.      

WIP Wednesday: Blue Eggs

Reading:

Ganymede by Cherie Priest. I'm only a couple of chapters into this one but I'm already enjoying it. There's been new characters added and a glimpse of some old ones that we didn't get to see as much of in older books in the series. I'm sure it's going to be a fun read, just like the others have been.

Knitting:
The first time I started this pattern I got to Row 3 of Chart B and then became convinced that I had a counting issue. This is standard since I numbers and I aren't exactly best buds. So I ripped the row back and started over. That changed nothing. I ripped back to the last row of Chart A since I 'knew' that one was correct, nope. I counted and recounted my stitches ... that didn't give any insights. I even slid stitches over as I verbally worked through the pattern, no change.

Sighing in defeat I ripped it all out and started over since by then I'd convinced myself that I didn't really like the density of the yarn and went up a needle size, plus my 4 has a smoother join than my 3. Two days later I was back to Chart B. Huh .. I hadn't had a counting problem, it just looked different than I expected. Last night when I finally reached  row 7 I did have a counting problem. (I should probably not knit as much when I'm tired.) Soon the end of the shawl looked like this:



And 40 long minutes later .....



After that though it went to time out while I took a break.

Fi's Beret

I was thrilled to be asked to make this beret. Berets are always interesting to make, lace ones even more so. It's another case of blocking making something magically transform.

I absolutely love how the decreases come together to form the top of the beret and how the lace pattern looks. Now that it's off my needles I'm completely enchanted by it.

It's so soft and cuddly too. Even before blocking I wanted to just sit and pet the yarn. I hope it brings much happiness and joy to my friend.

Pattern: Wussypillows Beret
Project Page: Ravelry
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in Sapphire Heather

WIP Wednesday: Blue Dreams

Reading:

Dreadnought by Cherie Priest. I'm about halfway though and loving it. It's a continuation of the story she began in Boneshaker, but not as I expected it to be. I was thrown for a bit until I saw the connection and in this way she shows more of what's going on in this fictional America she's created. It's a very interesting and fun read.

Dreamcatcher:
I'm taking a couple days off from knitting so I can work on the two dreamcatchers that were ordered. I have the smallest one nearly done, though the hangings at the bottom are giving me fits since I didn't tie the knot right. I think I need to take it off and redo it. Other than that and cleaning up the stray threads, this one is done.



The larger one is further along than last week, but just barely. I still need to do the small one that will hang in the center of the 7inch ring after I web and bead the large ring. I always forget how much thread it takes to wrap a large ring ... and how long it takes.

Miss Kid's Shawl

It took nearly two years, a ton of restarts, and a lot of frustration, but Miss Kid (my step daughter, 11) finally finished her shawl that she wanted so much. Because of it she's gotten quite good at reading her stitches, picking up dropped stitches, and correcting small mistakes. She's also learned how to knit while walking.



She's incredibly proud of her finished shawl, as she should be. She hasn't decided just yet what she'll work on next, other than it be something small.

Gloves & Dreams

Reading:

Dreadnought by Cherie Priest. Okay, technically I'm not reading it since I finished my last book last night and haven't actually started this one, but it's next on the list and I'll start later today.

Knitting:
Once I managed to get it through my head that I just wasn't going to be able to do what I wanted with these and simply went back to the basic pattern it's nearly flown off the needles. This is mostly yesterday's work; I started the day with the cuff (white portion) only about half done. I'm already up to the fingers. I had wanted to do some colorwork on the cuff but that's just not possible with acrylic in such a small space. I have some plans for wool though. *grin*



Dreamcatcher:
I probably would have finished the wrapping on this one had I not ran out of thread. I need to dig in the thread box and see if I have more and get Lynn to help me unbury the sewing machine so I can spin it on to the bobbin. Otherwise I'll be making a trip to the store with the ring in hand to find the matching color.

Batty

I needed a present for a dear friend ... and I knew just the perfect thing for said friend. A Bat! Willingford to be exact. Don't look at me like that. A bat plushie for Dusti is perfect. Trust me.

He was sent along with the book I got signed for her and a small little art card of a bat that I picked up at Con a couple weeks ago. She reports that he arrived safely and I'm sure that he's busy protecting her while she sleeps.

Pattern Page: Ravelry

WIP Wednesday: Beret & Bloodshot

Reading:

Hellbent by Cherie Priest. I love reading about Raylene and how she gets herself into, and out of, various dangerous situations. I love Priest's writing style, it's almost like sitting down to chat with somebody. It's good to see the returning supporting cast as well and getting to know more about them. 

Knitting:
The beret finally settled down and allowed me to knit it correctly .. or I finally started following *gasp* the pattern. I thought I was to begin with but apparently I kept forgetting small details like change needle size. I'm up to (down to?) the decreases now and love how it's looking.

More Geek Love

The cliff I jumped off this time wasn't as high since I'd already done double knitting once before. I had some issues getting the chart to look the way I wanted so the Deception symbol would show up as accurate as possible but luckily I got a friend to help tweak that a bit.

I find that the hardest part for me is the parts where you have to knit for $inches. That seems to always be the part where I have the most trouble keeping my focus. If I know I have x rows left then it's a bit easier.  

Anyhow, I finished the scarf and I'm really happy with how it looks. Huge thanks to my husband for being willing to go stand in the sun in 90 degree weather while I drape wool around him and take pictures.

The pattern is now live and available for purchase, . It includes detailed instructions on double knitting, binding off one color while continuing in the other, and grafting knits to purls.