What is needed to do lacework?

I started the first lacework I've done in 14 years. It's a lace scarf made from Plymouth Indiecita Alpaca, and a pattern from Fibertrends called Faina's Scarf. I carefully assembled all the necessary tools --


See what is missing?

The TV. This is not a pattern that can be worked in front of the TV. Nor the radio. Nor the stereo. It requires concentration -- and lots of it.

I am on row 57 -- and there have not been any repeat rows yet. Possibly as I get further into the pattern ... but I'm not counting on it. The directions list 423 rows. And in the 150 that I've skimmed, not one of them say "repeat row *."

If I knit 40 rows a day, I'll be done in 10 days. Right.

Notice the stitch marker? That's for the places that I forget the yarn over. I have figured out how to add it on the next row -- provided I see that I've forgotten it in time. Hence the stitch marker.

Now, I used to have a favorite baby sweater set that I made for all my children and for my friends' children. It was lace. It also had a nice 15-stitch, 12-row repeat. This scarf is not even in the same class.

We'll see if I still like lace when I'm done.

Brandi is my daughter's best friend. On Feb. 5, her mother loaded her onto an airplane and shipped her out to Calgary to live. Kicked her out of the house.

There are no words to express how I feel right now. Brandi is a good kid. She is my "other daughter." I really miss her, as does Carrie.

So I made these socks for her. The heart is embroidered on with duplicate stitch, and is a reminder to her of how very much she is loved.

Dulan project

I signed up to assist with the Dulan project. Read about it at

http://www.nwkniterati.com/movabletype/mossycottage/

It really breaks my heart to think about children living in such abject poverty and misery. One of my life goals has been to leave the world a little better than I found it. I think knitting sweaters, mittens, hats and scarves for this project will certainly help achieve that goal.

How about you?

Book Reviews

Doug visited the Pickering Library, to which he had never been. As a favour to me, he emptied the shelves of knitting books. Here are the ones I liked, and why:

Big Book of Knitting, by Katharina Buss -- this is a great book, covering many aspects of knitting. It details several methods of casting on, forming the stitches, finishing techniques, different types of sleeves, neckline treatments. It also teaches reading graphs. Would I buy this book? Yes. Would I pay $45 (CDN) for it? Hmmm. Yes, I probably would. I think it would be a great addition to a knitting library. Do I want it for Christmas? Yup.

Designing Knitwear by Deborah Newton -- Now, I have only browsed this book, and not as thoroughly as the above. But I can see it being a necessity for someone who is going to start designing sweaters or other knits. This book is labeled as being a $25 (USD) and I would have to say it would be a bargain at that price. Again, would I spend the money? Yes. Do I want it for Christmas? Yes.

Am I going to add these to my "I want" list? Absolutely.

Groundhog Day

I have started a pair of mitts for Doug. His current pair have become worn -- to the point of having holes in the thumbs. Right where he grips the ski poles. To keep the peace, I have started. And ripped. And started. And ripped. Just could not find a fair isle pattern that I liked. Why fair isle? Well, these are 100% wool and will felt a bit. And consequently, be warmer.

Doug visited the Pickering Library today to retrieve a library book for Carrie. While there, he emptied the shelves of knitting books. Yippee! And in that veritable treasure trove, what do I see but a graph for a houndstooth fair isle. Well, duh! Why didn't I think of that?! So now it's onward and upward.

Have joined the Great Sock Adventure at the Delphi Knit-n-Chat forum. They cast on yesterday and today knit down to the heel flap. Tomorrow is Turn-The-Heel-Day. I just have a little bit of catching up to do.

And in other news -- in honour of Groundshog Day, Henry filled in for the groundhog. What did he see?

Ever so faintly, he saw his shadow. So that means another 6 weeks of winter. Of course, if he hadn't seen the shadow, winter would last about a month and a half. Go figure.