Swallowtail Shawl

So I have been wanting to do another lace project since I cast off and blocked my Japanese Feather Wrap. I had my eye on the gorgeous FO's of the Swallowtail Shawl that I'd seen all over Ravelry. My family has been going through some rough times since last week with my Papa who is in a nursing home. It seems that it is going to be a roller coaster ride and this project is going to be therapeutic for me, as well as (hopefully) comforting and therapeutic to it's recipient- my Mama. I chose a blue shade that reminds me of Papa's eyes, and his flannel shirts that he wore ALL THE TIME. It's light and delicate but a striking pattern that is absolutely lovely. I was able to cast on Monday night and made my way through the set up and starting the budding lace. It's my first time with charts so that was proving to be a challenge but now that I'm getting into it, it's getting easier to remember what symbols mean what.

it's already taking shape!

She has no idea that I'm making this for her so let's keep it a secret- kay?

Also, Saturday 6/6/2009, my Mama and Papa celebrated their 57th! Wedding Anniversary. They are truly amazing and wonderful people and I am so thankful that I can witness such a wonderful testament to Marriage.

(Photo from 4/6/09- Papa's 86th Birthday, note the flannel shirt :) )

Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn, Baby Alpaca Lace, 1071

Needle: Crystal Palace US 4 26'' Circular
My Ravelry Project Page!

Dishcloth Dozen

Here is my May swap stuff.




It's the spiral scrubbie I posted about before. As well as another dishcloth I made from the Lily book I picked up a while back. Good Stuff.

BAM- May

Well I survived, but barely. This was a really confusing pattern in the way it was written. Neither myself, nor Vickie could get it completed that night. And we usually have no problems! After all is said and done, it's a pretty square. But I don't know that I'd do the pattern again, if I did I would need to rewrite it in a traditional form so that it was easier for me to read.

Pattern: Hint of Spring by Sally Ives

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver- Gold, Red, Teal

Hook: J

My Ravelry Project Page!

BAM- February... Again

So I didn't like the original February square because it used 2 weights of yarn, wasn't square, and just looked a mess. So I reworked it.

But I may rework it again because the other squares I'm making have a gold yarn in them vs. the yellow... but if I redid this one then I would have to redo the March one since it's all in the yellow. Hmmmm. Not sure.


Pattern: Two-Tone Square by Dayna Audirsch
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Hook: J
My Ravelry Project Page!

Scrubbie, Tribble, Tawashi

So everyone raves about these adorable little dishcloth scrubbies! (aka Tawashi, aka Tribble) Well, I decided to give one a whirl on Sunday night and it was delightfully easy and quick. Other than trying to figure out how in the world to get it from a flat parallellogram to a scrubbie was beyond me. After looking online and finding the knit version I decided to document my crochet version as a good reference point.

Step 1- complete your parallelogram ending with an odd row. (Pattern called for 21 I think I could only get 19 rows since I ran out of yarn)

Step 2- bring Side 1 and Side 3 together and slip stitch using live yarn

Step 3- Use your long tail end to weave in and out of the edge of side 2 (Repeat for Side 4)

Step 4- Pull the ends tight to close the holes

You can weave the ends back through the other side and make a loop for hanging or just weave the ends in and Voila! a Scrubbie!

Pattern: Spiral Scrubbie

Yarn: Sugar 'n Cream, Potpourri

Hook: H Hook

My Ravelry Project Page!

Test Pattern- Athena Headband

So among the other groups on Ravelry I am a member of the Free-Pattern Testers group. You may remember the Door Knob Cozy that I did a while back.

Well I decided to give it a whirl again, this time choosing a great, easy knit pattern from Cassie Miller. It was my first time using ICord (sooo easy!) and I whipped this up last week using some of the Stretch Socks yarn I had on hand. And a pink hairband. Duh, have to coordinate!

Testing is complete and Cassie has it up for sale in her Ravelry store!

Pattern: Athena Headband by Cassie Miller

Yarn: Patons Stretch Socks in Sugar

Needle: US2 DPNs

My Ravelry Project Page!