Hazy Shade of Winter

 More 'me' knitting, sounds a little selfish but it really isn't. Lately almost all my knitting time has been for others. I was making the Everyway Wrap with this lovely Berocco Ultra Ulpaca but I just didn't like the results and add to that it was set down for Christmas knitting and I lost my place.....found it after frogging, but still glad I frogged.

This is a lovely size 36" deep and over 5ft across. I have wanted a large cozy shawl for some time and I finally got it. I love this so much I started a second one, read yesterday's post.

This is going to be a very well used shawl, it's got that 'go with anything' look so I'm glad it is in a neutral colour.

         I highly recommend this pattern!
        

More 'me' Knitting

I have done a lot of prayer shawl knitting and I'm definitely in need of some 'me' knitting. I knit this Boneyard shawl already in Berocco Ultra Ulpaca and I loved it so much I'm making another one. I had six skeins of the Cascade handpainted in Red and I was planning on a FLS(February Lady Sweater). I decided I'd much rather have a shawl, they go with more outfits from casual to dressy. So here goes another one!

This was my progress so far, I started it this morning and I knit on it at lunch while listening to the audiobook version of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, perfection!

Namaste Hand Bag - A Knitter's Must Have

Here is my new Namaste Purse. I was shopping at Eat Sleep Knit with my yarn lotto money $50 store credit and I had a few shekels leftover and I thought I'd find a small accessory. Boy was I wrong! Instead I saw this bag and I just had to have it. I searched and found a few youtube video reviews and I was sold. The hardest part, choosing a colour. I saw the Hollywood Pink and I was in love. Usually I'm a red or blue person but the red was more like a brick red and I didn't really want blue and I just could not resist this beautiful pink. I've definitely been on a pink kick all of a sudden. This just screams glamorous to me.

Here the bag is opened up, you can see how much space is inside. I just have my wallet on the bottom. The wide mouth opening makes it really easy to get to your stuff(knitting). There are also side pockets and a zippered pocket. The side pockets have a pouch for a cell phone but I have a BB and it won't fit there. The zippered pocket is a great place for me to store my little baggie of knitting accessories to take along.

This is the front accordion pocket, it opens up to several sleeves. This is a great place for those quick 'go-to' purse items. This is where I keep my cell phone, gum, mints etc. I like that it's right out front, super handy.

And here it is with my current knitting project inside. This is my 'Hazy Shade of Winter' shawl. See there is enough room for this and the shawl is almost full size at the moment. I have it stored in it's ziploc bag and underneath is my wallet and the pattern. The bag has three strong magnets to keep it closed, the bag opens very easy because of this and it closes on its own too. If it pops open you just have to give it a gentle push and it is closed. The bag costs about $79 but it is well worth every penny. When I picked up my parcel at our local drugstore there were Roughrider purses(our local football team) they are in the hideous rider green(grass green) and they are basically a green football with straps and the rider logo. So for the same price I could have had a hideous green bag with absolutely no storage space or this gorgeous and very practical handbag. I think I got a great deal. Not like I'd buy a small hideous green football purse bag, but I do feel better about buying a pricey bag spontaneously after seeing that for sale ;)

 Happy Knitting!

Nail Fun

For my DD's grade 12 grad we went and had gel nails done. I decided to keep mine a bit longer. When I went to get them filled this weekend I met some wonderful ladies. It was a great atmosphere. One of the ladies was getting a design with a gem and she encouraged me to try it. I quite like it, it's a little different and a little treat to me. I was finding them too long and had them shortened a bit and I'm loving them once again. I like to have nice nails and in May I still didn't have enough good nails for a decent manicure. These are a great option especially when you live in a climate that is so hard on nails like ours is. I don't know how long I'll continue with the maintenance of them, but I'm enjoying them thoroughly at the moment.

Prayer Shawl Progress

 I recently picked up a copy of 'The Prayer Shawl Companion'. One of the ladies brought a copy of it to our last prayer shawl ministry gathering. It's got some lovely patterns and great prayer ideas.

This is the Cornerstone shawl. It calls for 700 yards of worsted weight acrylic yarn and really big needles size 13(11mm). I tried that and it was way too loose. I went down to a size 11(9mm) and it was much better.


 I love the look of this pattern. I will try it again but I'm thinking of doing garter edging instead of the seed stitch. I just find it awkward with big needles and small yarn. Also, I just like to try doing things differently.

It was still bigger than I'm used to using for that size of yarn, but it does make a quick project. I started this on June 27 and finished it up on July 4.

I like to create a nice relaxing space for my prayer shawl knitting. There are times when I take it in the car or the backyard. I'm trying to keep my knitting corner free of clutter, that's a BIG challenge. Usually this end table has patterns, needle accessories and other things piled on it.

This inspired me to make a change. I have a candle lit, a copy of the book and of course a cup of tea. Then I'm all set to knit on the shawl.

The demand for the shawls in our church has really surprised me, the stories of people receiving them are so moving. It really feels right to be a part of such a great ministry.

I have knit about seven shawls since I started and I plan to get one more on the needles but it's progress will be slow

   as I have a lot of 'me' knitting to finish   up. I have two shawls on the needles now and I have a FLS planned to knit before Fall. So many projects, if only there were more knithours in a day!

Things I like about Summer

 This year I'm determined to make the most out of summer, no matter how many mosquito's invade!I find that winter is a long hard go if you don't get enough outside time. This was the case this past winter. We had a long cold winter with a LOT of snow. It got downright depressing.

The fix I hope this year is enjoying as much as I can. My DH bought a canoe so we can enjoy the lakes.

 We have been enjoying our backyard, our little oasis - a place to get away from the regular grind of work, committee meetings and other things that take up a lot of our time during the year.

I bought DH a zero gravity chair and I loved it so much I got myself one. Sitting back in that with a nice cool beverage is a great way to spend an afternoon. On a really hot day we stay tucked under our canopy house and turn on our mister and you can hardly tell how hot it is. If you live somewhere you hot, you must have

one, we got ours at Home Depot.

I've recently discovered my love for Stella Artois. Before Stella I really didn't think I liked beer. Oh I like it, just the really expensive imported stuff, figures. Oh well, all things in moderation. It does go well with bbq.

Also a fun summer treat is the Timmie's Iced Cap or a nice Strawberry Frappucino from Starbucks.

Add to that my knitting and I'm all set to have a great afternoon no matter how hot it gets.