Seems like only yesterday ...

that I gave you an update on what I've been making.

Oh ya, it was only yesterday wasn't it? But what I didn't show you is what has really been taking over my life the last few weeks. A good "take over" honestly. Well better than the work I've been doing in my flower bed. I've been getting two front flower beds cleaned up for the Winter and ready for the Spring show with bulbs and that sure feels more like a "take over" at the moment. But, you know how I've been loving shawls lately right? Well that hasn't changed ...

Here's the most satisfying knit I've done in a long long time. A love has developed and I call it "Waiting for Earl Waves in the Square Shawl". I loved knitting it the whole time but fell in LOVE when I took it off the blocking board and put it on. I usually love the knitting process much more than the final out come. Well I like the outcome on most of my knitting but what I mean is I have fallen in LOVE.

Take a look for yourself ...





And the pictures don't even do it justice. The yarn is gorgeous! Here are the details ...

Project info

Name: Waiting for Earl Waves in the Square Shawl

Pattern : Waves in the Square Shawl by Sivia Harding

Needle and yarn

Needle

US 5 - 3.75 mm

Yarn: madelinetosh tosh merino light

How much? 3 skeins = 1320.0 yards (1207.0m)

Colorway: Citrus

Purchased at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem, Massachusetts

I made one modification. And that is I cast on using a provisional cast on and went back to pick up the stitches to knit a few more garter stitch rows and cast off with picots and beads so that it matched the bottom edge. See below.



Now I just hope I don't look too much like a big fat orange pumpkin.

Although, how appropriate for Salem, MA is that, huh?

Did I forget to show you my new hat?

I knit this hat so fast I forgot to post about it didn't I? WELL ... I don't understand how I did that. Yes, this hat is for me and I've already bought more yarn to make another one. No really, I'm not kidding with ya.

Details below ...

Project Info

Name: Minty Red Hot Hat
Pattern: Minty by Erica Jackofsky (Fiddle Knits)

Needle and yarn
Needles: US 6 - 4.0 mm, US 8 - 5.0 mm
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes
How much?
2 skeins = 200.0 yards (182.9m)
Colorway: Red #2000, Dye lot 0866
Purchased at: Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem, Massachusetts
Purchase date: September 30, 2010
Notes: Note on needle sizes: A cotton version uses sizes US 5 & 7. Merino/Alpaca version uses sizes US 6 & 8. So I used 6 & 8.




Now seriously ... how do I take a good picture of a hat on my own head?

Knitting Loves Crochet ...

Project info

Name

Peek-a-Boo Pillow Cover

Pattern

Peek-a-Boo Pillow by Candi Jensen from Knitting Loves Crochet

Craft:

Crochet & Knitting

Made for

ME

Needle and yarn

Hook

4.0 mm (G)
Needle

4.5 mm (6)

Yarn

Spud & Chloë Sweater

How much?

2 skeins = 320.0 yards (292.6m)

Colorway

Grape Jelly

Purchased at

Seed Stitch Fine Yarn, Salem, MA

Notes

Knitting DOES love Crochet!

One side is knitted and the other is crocheted.

Crochet Motifs:

Knit Moss Stitch:

What more could I ask for?

FINALLY ....

A new crochet hook that the StitchingNut can LOVE!

Did I say "love"? Yup, I've been a strong advocate for the good ole Boye Crochet Hooks or Susan Bates which I've used for many years and even inherited from my grandmother a number of them. I've done a lot of crocheting so I know what I like and what works great for me ... and what doesn't work for my hands.

But after all these years my hands are telling me, "You're getting old and you better start treating us better or we're going to give out on you." "You'll be sorry for not paying attention." But I love my old crochet hooks!!

Well none of those other new designs that have come out in the past few years have worked for me or my style of crocheting until now ...

What will change my mine? Is there any new style that could possibly become my new favorite? No matter what the cost? [FAT chance, huh?]

Well I found them ...

Addi Swing Hooks by Skacel!

Finally, a crochet hook that really IS ergonomically correct. I hated their other style with ridges because they actually hurt my fingers. But ... my hands are confirming it; a wonderful new handle that I can really get a hold of and love like no other. I'm working on a quick project right now and I hope my LYS - Seed Stitch Fine Yarn will be carrying them soon. Courtney gave me one below to try out. Gave it a spin around a motif and ... yes, they cost more ... but my hands are saying it is well worth the extra money. Other "mature" crocheters like myself may feel the same way.

But, it just might also save a young crocheter from some of the hand issues I now have. So pick up one in the most common size that you use and give it a try. The Swing has an added bonus of being color coded too.




I think I want the whole set. Yes, I do!!!!

What else but another Shawl.

Or should I say Shawlette? It is called ...

The Budding Shawlette by Joyce (YuLian) Yu

Before the magic of blocking:




After the magic happens:



It's smaller than it looks but perfect for keeping the shoulders & neck warm and serving as an accent piece. Could also be worn as a scarf since it's light and airy. And I love it!

Was thinking of giving it away the whole time I was knitting it, but alas ...



... can I really do that?

Scarves that double as shawls ...

Will add something more to the wardrobe as well as keep your neck and shoulders warm. So why not knit a few to pull out when you need them, right?

My first one this week is light and airy. Supper soft of course and it really gives a collarless blouse another dimension, texture and style.

Pattern: Annis by Susanna IC

Needles: US 8 - 5.0 mm and US 10 - 6.0 mm for cast-on only

Yarn: Jade Sapphire Silk/Cashmere 2-ply

How much used: 1 skeins = 400.0 yards (365.8m)

Measurement: 70” wide x 13” long

I love wearing this one ...

And look ... it has "Nupps"!

And since I knit on more than one thing at a time I also finished ...

Pattern: Saroyan by Liz Abinante.

Needle: US 9 - 5.5 mm

Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk 4/8 - Cone

Colorway: Emerald

How much used: 0.5 cone = 560.0 yards (512.1m)

Modifications: did 9 /11/ 9 repeats for each section.

Measurements: 92” wide x 16” long

I love the leaf trim on the edge ...



Now shouldn't I get ready to go somewhere special tonight?

Why do I love shawls so much right now?

Have you wondered, "Why has Rhonda gone crazy knitting so many shawls"? I bet you thought, "This confirms it; either she's gettting 'old' or she really is a 'nut'. Okay ... you might be right on both accounts.

Yes, I am nuts about shawls. And even I have wondered if it's because I am getting into my upper years now. I love wearing them beside the fact that I love the fast and simple knitting being done on them. Well, I've crocheted a few too ... But it's not just because I'm in my senior years now. No really ... stop the giggling you. I've thought about this and I know what the reason has been mostly ... well now I have a confession to make ... and it's about my weight. Now I really do know. Yes, I know I'm one of those overweight Americans. I now have decided to say it out loud. I'm in the realm of 'obese' even. So shawls are more wearable for me. BUT, I have joined Weight Watches only 2 weeks ago and have already lost 5 lbs. I know that's not a lot, but it's a start. And guess what ... a shawl will still fit me no matter how much weight I loose. Oh yes, I'm going to loose a lot more. I'm in the mind-set for it and I will do it. But, I don't want to knit wearable items and not be able to wear them 6 or 12 months from now. Shawls fit the bill!

Well gosh, I also love shawls for another reason. They are just so darn comfy. So stylish and NOT SO WARM that I would 'die' from the heat the way I do in sweaters. Yup, I have found that I just love the looks of them and the wearing part of it just makes me feel so good without being over heated and wishing I could remove it if it's not a cardigan. [Did I iron the blouse under my sweater? Am I even wearing a blouse under it?] A shawl can be just dropped from the shoulder.

So here's another shawl off the blocking board yesterday. Another Boneyard Shawl.

I call this one my Boneyard Summer Garden Shawl. You can find the details on my Ravelry page of course. The yarn is cotton for the cool but not real cold days of Summer.

I also made a few modifications. With the biggest one being the long single loop fringe you see here. You can see it on display at my LYS, Seed Stitch Fine Yarn.

I'm off to start another shawl or two or ...

Okay, I have four on the needles right now.

I know, I know, I'm a ... stitchingNut.

The lure of knitted lace ...

Is there joy in knitting lace? Will the process of working magic with yarn overs and ssk or k2tog to create what looks like a complex design or perhaps the end results after the blocking process is complete put a smile on your face? Is there a song in your heart when you knit lace? Perhaps the look on my face is the answer to those questions.



Does it call to you as it does me?

As you see, I just completed the largest shawl I've ever knit. It's called the Lotus Blossom by Dorothy Siemens and from Fiddlesticks Knitting. A beautiful well designed and written pattern.

Something for the Holidays ... for ME!

Of course part of the joy comes from the fact that I knit it for myself. A gift to the StitchingNut, I guess you could say. Oh how I love it. But the real enjoyment all started with the casting on and the process of knitting the lace. Seriously ... it really was.



It starts very small at the neckline and grows as you go with every other row increasing 4 more stitches. Although, I can't knit a project like this and visit with family or friends while I do it. It becomes all consuming. Each right side row became a row of concentration while the wrong side row was a few minutes of meditation or reflection. That's why I limited my time on Blogging or Facebook comments for the past few weeks. I was deeply involved ...



That's right ... involved with my knitting. As I finished each row and moved up my marker tape to the next row on the chart [there are 6 charts for this pattern] I got more excited each time.



The excitement to getting to the finish line was there but,
it was also in the details ...



The stems lead to the Lotus flower and petals at the bottom and the anticipation grew as I completed each one. It got so that I didn't want to do anything else. No housework kept me away for very long. No chore remained in my way. Dinner was quickly planned, cooked and eaten while the lure of lace called to me each day.



Until finally I got to the Cast Off ... and then I had to stop and practice on scrap yarn a new process I had never done before. The bobble ball cast off was a threat to the final results of this lace that called to me for 3 weeks. Was I going to be able to do it? Even though I had my doubts ... and I took ALL day to complete it ...



Whew, I succeeded!! I now have a lovely, soft, warm and glorious shawl for the Holidays.



Can you tell I'm pleased as punch with myself?

All I've got to say this week is ...

I'm a stitching nut and all I want to do is KNIT!

This week it was a Ribbed Keyhole Scarf and Ribbed Fingerless Mitts from the Cascade 60 Quick Knit's book. I love 'em!





Not much to say when all I want to do is work on my knitting.
So now it's back to the 4 Shawls that's I'm working on.

That's right ... four!

Can't let my obsession go ...

So another Shaw comes off the needles. It's lovely and warmer than you think. I wonder if I should give this one to my friend for Christmas instead of Jubilee? This one is called Traveling Woman and I used Cascade Heritage Sock Yarn for it. It took one week to knit and it kept my interest the whole time. Love the Teal!






I enjoyed knitting this one.

But now it's time to move on to another Boneyard Garden Path Shawl again. Would my friend prefer one of those? Especially if it has purple in it?

Oh dear, what a dilemma ...

I may never get around to knitting myself some new Winter socks.

Simplicity is good ...

and I really need it once in awhile. I love complex patterns in both knit and crochet. I love the challenge to my mind or my skills and the feeling of accomplishment when it's done. But now and again I have to have simple knit or simple crochet projects on the needles to work on and give my mind a rest. Besides ... it's a time for reflecting or meditating while still keeping my hands busy. AND ... quite often the end result can be rather pleasant, stylish and even something fun to wear.

Take my Boneyard Garden Path Shawl for instants. You'll find all the details [yarn, needles, pattern, etc.] on my Ravelry page, but here are a few pictures.

See? So simply, yet so stylish and practical. Got a lot of wonderful meditation done on this one too. And the colors were a pleasure to see happening as I knit.

Even crochet can have meditative qualities. Especially if most of the time you're counting to 7. This one only took me 2 days to make. I couldn't believe it myself!

Once again you can check out the detailed information about my Sprout Shawl on Ravelry.


So now it's on to something more challenging ...