Well, grades are due tomorrow, so I'm having one more last push of big grading today! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. (But my eye is twitching uncotrollably this morning.....)
Lately, I have had some stressful sewing with deadlines and all. And I can't even show it to you yet. But soon! Sometimes when sewing feels stressful, I just want to do something else for a while.
Sooo.....
I got out this beautiful yarn that I had purchased in Newaygo at The New Ewe (I blogged about this shop a while back), and I cast on a new knitting project. This is Cotton Rayon Flax Metallic yarn by Blue Heron Yarns in the color Carnelian.
I love how it's working up. I can only show this sneak peek, because it's a special present for someone. I absolutely LOVE this yarn! It is so soft, the color is so beautiful, and there is that little strand of gold thread running through it that just gives it an extra oomph. I love how the red undulates between red and purple. The only bad thing is my hands are so dry, every once in a while my fingers "catch" the yarn and snag it. I have to be really careful about that. The pattern is pretty easy. When I finish this, I'll show you the whole thing and write a pattern review. I find that after I make one of the rows with the big holes in it, I have to count my stitches. I find I easily forget one of the holes on the end, and it throws the whole pattern off! After a lot of "tinking" (unknitting), I learned to just stop and count my stitches after one of those rows. It has saved me a lot of grief!
I also got some of it in this color. The photo is sort of deceiving....it's greener than it looks in this photo, but isn't this pretty? The color is called "bronze," but it's a really "champaign" color if you ask me. Love it.
I also got this in the mail the other day. I ordered it from Bijou Basin Ranch. I encountered them first at Fiber Festival last year....they do a lot of yak yarn. This isn't yak, though....it's angora. They are starting a knit along (KAL) tomorrow. It's for the Fir Trees Cowl. I got the pattern free when I ordered the yarn. I thought it would be fun to participate in the KAL, because I've never done a KAL and it was a very small, doable project. Also, this is kind of a lacey pattern, and I haven't done much with lace knitting. I thought it would be fun to do it with other people. I resisted for a couple of weeks when I saw them posting on Facebook about it. But I finally caved. I am glad I did. When I opened this yarn, I couldn't believe how SOFT it is! And the pattern only takes one little skein. So, it should be fun. I'll keep you posted on that progress.
(By the way, if you have never checked out Bijou Basin Ranch, you should. Their yarns are just beautiful, and the folks there are so nice and friendly. I have really enjoyed every transaction I've had with them. They are so helpful!)
Hope you're all having a good day. It is finally supposed to start warming up this week, but we have rain in the forecast all week. I wonder if we'll ever get some good weather here! I guess we got spoiled back in March with those 80-degree days that one week....
Until next time,
Mama Pea
I love all those colors! Can't wait to see what you're making. I finally finished a shawl I've been working on since last November -- why did it take forever? Now I'm working on another one in a camel color. I'm with you -- knitting is a great break from all the deadline sewing.
Posted by: Shelly | April 30, 2012 at 10:10 AM
What wonderful knitting projects you are doing! The yarn is beautiful. My LQS is going to be offering a knitting project this quarter for a scarf. I plan to do a post about it this week on their blog. I'm going to take the class. I can't resist any longer, LOL!
Posted by: Lynn | April 30, 2012 at 10:21 AM
I really love your first two yarns. I bet you just cherish every minute working with them. I really don't like it when my sewing has deadlines and becomes stressful - cause it is suppose to be what keeps me calm and sane. LOL!! I sure hope your eye starts feeling better.
Posted by: Linda | April 30, 2012 at 10:30 AM
That yarn is gorgeous! One hint for having to stop and count the stitches: I don't know how many stitches to have on the row, but I often use the little markers in between every 10 or 20 stitches on lacey rows so I can keep better track of where I am in a pattern. You might even use a marker near the end, just to remind you of that stitch. Might help!
Posted by: PegVan | April 30, 2012 at 10:47 AM
I'm going to have to check out that Bijou Basin site. I met someone the other day whose daughter has yaks and spins her own yarns. She was really extolling the softness of the yak yarn.
Posted by: PegVan | April 30, 2012 at 10:49 AM
I love how therapeutic knitting can be when you're feeling stressed. Love the colors you picked up! Hang in there with the final push of the semester... and the rainy forecast.
Posted by: terriaw | April 30, 2012 at 10:51 AM
Wow!! You are so, so talented!! Hope you finish up those grades soon!
Posted by: Brooke | April 30, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Oh that yarn is just stunning, Stephanie, and you're so right, sometimes you just need a break from sewing. Especially deadline sewing - you have enough deadlines in your life! I hope your eye twitch goes away, they're so annoying. Do some neck stretches.
I think tomorrow is supposed to be nice...I'm hoping so, anyway, I'll be out running around all day!
Posted by: Allie | April 30, 2012 at 02:17 PM
Gorgeous yarn! Stitching offers the same kind of soothing, meditative state for me that knitting does for other people.
http://www.prlog.org/10179509-knitting-and-crochet-offer-long-term-health-benefits.html
I've seen many articles like the one above, but I know from experience that hand stitching and crocheting work for me.
Hope you get through all of your deadlines unscathed!
Posted by: jenclair | April 30, 2012 at 02:30 PM
Hey, I've got a possible cure for dry skin that is so dry it snags yarn: Cetaphil moisturizing cream. When Carmen was about 2, her pediatrician recommended it for her dry skin. I noticed that when I used it regularly on her, MY cuticles didn't get so dry! Great stuff, especially in winter!
Posted by: Terri | April 30, 2012 at 04:10 PM
Very nice! I just love yarn - I'm really going to have to learn to knit! And thanks for the comments on our little trailer - it really is "just right" for us and we're enjoying it thoroughly - even with the new trailer problems.
Posted by: Deb | April 30, 2012 at 05:32 PM
Love thost yarns. Wish I had time to knit!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | May 01, 2012 at 08:29 AM