Friday, March 23, 2007

afghan "finished"

Well, it's not really finished. I completed the knitting three days ago, but I still have to sew most of those 112 squares together and darn in the ends, then it will be truly finished. I will post a photo when I have completed the project (goal date 31 March).

Over the last couple of days I have knitted three squares (10 x 10 inches) for another afghan and made some sample swatches for a lace wrap.

This morning I was awake really early so I got up while it was still dark. I couldn't face sewing squares or knitting squares, so I started a baby shrug to give to the local Tresillian. Blow me down, it will take longer to knit than a square for the afghan. The body is 80 stitches per row for 200 rows and the cuffs are 40 stitches per row for 16 rows each. It doesn't sound like much but using baby yarn on 3.25mm (US 3) needles, it doesn't grow very much. Ah well, we live and learn and hopefully many babies will be warmed by the finished project.

Almost Done

I've almost completed the pink prayer shawl that I've been crocheting and a blue one as well. The ruffle on the pink one seems to be taking forever. I started a blue one so that I could test out some yarn to see how it worked up. It was a fun pattern to stitch and looks lovely too. Photo of that upon completion. I also am planning on starting a shawl/scarf for our minister's wife. He's retiring in June after a lifetime of church work and they will be moving to a nearby city. After much contemplation I've decided to make her a dressy scarf rather than a stole, blanket or wrap. I at least believe that she will be able to wear this to church or other outings and it just seems more like her than a shawl. I want it to be something that she will enjoy. I honestly thought I would have aleady completed the 2 shawls by now. Am I getting slower? :-)

Thursday, March 15, 2007

here is another quick object


I finished this a couple of days ago. It is my second one. I had extra strawberry buttons so I couldnt resist. It is the Mary had a little lamb sweater. It is really quick. I did it in three nights. I love this KAL. Thanks for doing this. That hat I just made up so it looks a little weird but I think it works.


Casey

Progress! Progress! Progress!




Here is the prayer shawl I've been working on. I am putting the finishing touches on it now. It seemed a little narrow so I'm adding a ruffle trim all the way around to make it larger. I hope the ruffle will also make it look larger even if the overall effect doesn't add that much width to the garment. I'm planning on making another pass at the edges to make the ruffle even larger. The color is a little hard to define but the name of it is "Flamingo" and it does look like the color of real ones, not the bright pink plastic ones we typically see in Aunt Marge's yard.
I have already started another one. I needed to sample some yarn that I've been winding for the church to make sure that it was knit/crochet worthy so I began another just to give it a test run. I like it even more than this one.

Progess Pic


I have been working away on my burial wraps for The Preemie Project. A lot of people think this is depressing, and alot of TPP knitters don't knit bereavement items because it is too difficult. But I think of it as a hug for the parents. I hope they are comforted by the thought that someone understood that this would be a difficult time for them, and has prepared for it.
This yarn is really cute, but it is a real pain to work with because it splits a lot! The little nubs of dark blue and white give it an interesting texture. The garter stitch feels very soft and squishy. I bought two skeins of it at a yarn shop in Jacksonville while I was on vacation last week.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Here's what I'm currently working on...


I am designing a shawl from these hexagons. I'm not even sure what shape the shawl will be yet, but I am having fun playing as I go. The yarn is random mohair from my stash. Anyone else have pictures?

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Hello Out There!

I'm a late joiner and this is my first time posting, but I wanted to say hello! I'm involved in several KALs besides L for L but this one definitely has the most heart. Which is to be expected, as it's put on by the fabulous Miz Knotty, who is nothin' but heart, baby!
Due to the lateness of my arrival, I got right on the charitable knitting last Thursday night and worked my way through a chemo cap in about a day and a half. Then promptly gave it to my LYS (who collects the caps for the local hospital) without taking any pictures. Whoops!
I used Patons Canadiana in "Light Juniper" and I must admit, the yarn wasn't what I hoped. I'm not a fan of acrylic, but I'm no acrylic snob, either, and I'll happily use it when the occasion demands it. And the Patons seemed promising. Besides being a pretty, Springy color, the Patons felt soft.
It was not soft. It felt stiffer when knit then it did in the hank and I can't tell you why. It's still wearable, but overall, I'm finding a different yarn today to start a second hat.
There's my greeting to the KAL. L for L: good! Patons Canadiana: not so good!

Pretty Circles

I'm still working on the prayer shawl for my church, about 50% complete. Last evening I attended a meeting for the prayer shawl ministry and ended up bringing home about 40,000 yards of yarn to wind. No, that isn't a typo. Several people, present company included have acquired large cones of yarn from a factory here. The cones aren't practical to knit from and there aren't enough cones to go around. So since I own a winder I offered to wind them as part of my service to the church. It isn't all that difficult and I can do it at my leisure. My girl keeps call the giant cones "pretty circles" and that they are.

Monday, March 5, 2007

A little update on my progress..

I have knitted at least a half hour everyday except for Sat which I had to go out. I have completed 12 hats (preemie) and I am half done on two blankets.

How are you guys doing?

Casey

Friday, March 2, 2007

Hello from Australia

Hi all

I'm pleased to be joining with like-minded people. I knit for an organisation called Wrap with Love. They send wraps all over the world. The requirement is a wrap (afghan) 70 inches x 40 inches - big projects that take quite a while; I average six wraps per year. Maybe I can get one completed during Lent - can I count one that was started before Ash Wednesday? It is made up of 112 squares (5in x 5in) knit on the diagonal. I had 20 squares done before I joined this KAL. It's very humid at this time of year (autumn began 1 March) in western Sydney so small squares are ideal - no knitting laying on my lap! :-)

I also knit teddies for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritans' Purse.

I'm keen to knit Chemo Caps - if I can find anywhere in Sydney that's interested in accepting my kind donation! :-)

Please visit my blog to see more of what I've been doing knit-wise.

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Prayer Shawl Miniseries

Hi, I'm Emmy I found this KAL totally by chance when considering giving up knitting for Lent. After joining, I chose Prayer Shawl Miniseries for the group I will donate to. I'm sorry to say that I have only been able to work for about 15 minuets a day instead of a full half hour wail trying to work on my clinical studies at a nursing home, but half is better than nothing at all. I hope God understands.
I'll try to get a picture of my progress here soon. But, if you could, please say a prayer for Iowa. We're in a disastrous blizzard and at least seven lives have been lost at last count. Over 1500 people are without power from the first storm and just today, a second one had hit. I just want everyone to stay safe.

Ist Lenten project done


These socks now only need the toe grafted and they'll be off to Afghanistan. Thirty minutes a day adds up! I will start a prayer shawl next for a dear friend who is going through some serious crisis. I'd love to see pictures of what you all are working on right now.