Molly and "Precious" having a little talk.

Shawl from the latest Vogue Knitting. I like this one. Why do I always choose projects in magazines that are made with cashmere?

Two major projects -- Why oh why?

I currently have two major (knitting) projects on the needles. First, the Highland Triangle Shawl. Yes, I finished the middle section. Yes, that went well. I finally, after, I think three tries, picked up the right amount of stitches to knit on the edges. I knit the eyelet section -- OK -- then on to the lace edging. I knit four rows. I unkit the fourth row, a few times. I reknit. I am now unknitting, trying to get the stitch count right. I thought the stitch count WAS right. Apparently not. But I am determined to get this right. And once I do, I'm adding stitch markers between every two repeats. (I actually had them in, and then had to remove them as I unknit this last time.) I really feel like once I get this part in line, I will be off and running again.

The other project in the Mystery Shawl. It is in Maine Line 2/8 fingering weight, color claret. I love the color. It's a nice, dark burgandy. The first two clues have been released. I worked on the first one, thought I was doing well, but had to restart twice. I have now installed lifelines -- for the first time ever -- and ever since then, I haven't made mistakes. Well, what is insurance for if it is not for insuring that you don't make mistakes? Isn't that the umbrella and rain theory? The car wash and rain theory?

Anyway, we puppy-sat the neighbor's beagle this weekend, which didn't allow much knitting time. It's hard to concentrate on yarn overs and double-decreased when a little needle-teeth puppy is trying to devour your couch.

Most of my weekend knitting -- that I got in around the puppy -- was backward anyway. Tinking is not nearly as fun as knitting. And it is kind of discouraging to end the weekend with less completed project than you started with.

I'll post pictures.

Bigger and Bigger Triangle

The Highland Triangle Shawl is finally appearing to increase in size. Have you ever worked on something for a LOOOOONNGGG time and not seen it increase in size? Finally, I looked at it today, and said, "It looks bigger!" If all my tinked rows had actually been knit rows, I would probably have been done by now. I'm habitually counting each row now to make sure it is right. This doesn't keep me from making mistakes, but at least I catch them pretty early.

The texture is kind of interesting, and here is a close-up:

I found a couple of interesting blog entries today:

• This one in Mason Dixon Knitting from Kay, who says, "That's knitting; it's not for the stupid. It requires a constant, graceful kind of intelligence." I love that -- a constant, graceful kind of intelligence.
• Here's an interesting essay from Naive Knitting about "Why we choose the projects that we do."

Gift from Husband

My husband brought this sandpiper home for me yesterday. It as a surprise gift. He bought it for me because the name of my blog is Sandpiper Knits. Isn't that great! It sits on our computer stand -- as mascot as I type. He's a sweetheart.

The blog has been accepted to both the Knitters Blog ring and the Knitter's Review blog ring. Welcome to anyone arriving from these rings.

I've signed up as a member of the Mystery Shawl yahoo group. I'm trying to pick out yarn. I'm leaning toward a claret color of this yarn (Jaggerspun Maine Line 2/8). I need to order it soon -- the KAL begins on August 1. It sounds like fun -- it's a mystery shawl because only portions of the pattern of released at a time.

I bought some more yarn to do another Branching Out scarf -- this one as a Christmas present for ??? I'm not sure yet. It's more Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool.

I'm making some progress on the Highland Triangle Shawl. I made an Excel spreadsheet with the stitch number for each row. I had this laminated, and I mark each row of the middle triangle off as I complete it and confirm stitch number.

Start on Shawl

I've started the Highland Triangle Shawl. I used a white "Word" screen to that the pattern could be sort of visible. It's too dark to take an outside picture. The color I'm using is darker that is looks here. At first, I was having trouble with the knit 2 togethers and the slip 2 together (as if to knit), knit 1, and pass the slipped stitches over -- difficult to manuveur. I think I've relaxed with the pattern, my tension is a little less stressed, and the stitches are easier to complete.


We've also started reading the new Harry Potter. DH reads outloud while the boys and I listen, so I started a simple HP scarf -- 1 x 1 ribbing in maroon and gold. The color here is a little bright, too.

I picked up a ball winder at AC Moore -- 40% off coupon -- yippee. I told DH that he would have to continue to the the swifty husband, since the swift was $60.

Finished Object and Stash Enhancement

Branching Out is finished and blocked. Final stats --> It took a little more than 1 skein of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in charcoal. I don't know how much more exactly because the I had already used a little of the first skein. I did 28 repeats of the lace pattern on size 8 (US) needles.

To see all posts related to Branching Out, click here.

On to stash enhancement and my next project:

My KnitPicks order came today. It includes the yarn in the photos below. First is 10 skeins of Merino Style in storm. I will use this for my next large project, which is the Highland Triangle Shawl from Folk Shawls. I also ordered five different skeins of Wool of the Andes in Stream, Winter Night, Cloud, Cranberry and Spruce. I picked up the Elizabeth I lace scarf patterns and two hanks of Alpaca Cloud in Midnight (my favorite of the lot) and Autumn. All yarns are yummy soft. My only problem with them is that they are generally lighter in color than I expected. It's really hard to tell on a computer monitor, isn't it?

I joined The Knitter's Guild of America today. I've been thinking about it for a while, and thought I would give it a try for a year.

KnitPicks Merino Style in Storm for Highland Triangle Shawl.

Yarn from KnitPicks -- Wool of the Andes in Winter Night, Stream, Cranberry, Spruce and Cloud. Alpaca laceweight in Midnight and Autumn.

Cabled Shrug

I was browsing through Fall 05 Interweave Knit and found this cabled shrug. I normally don't like shrugs. They are too small for my body type -- just too form fitting. But this one looks comfy -- the perfect thing to wear on a winter night in front of the computer or curled up in front of a fire (if one must have a more romantic image). It looks like it might be easier to keep positioned than a shawl. The back image is not online, but it is beautifully cabled. I think that this in on my To Do list. I'll have to find a yarn substitute, however. It calls for Trendsetter Kashmir, which is 65% cashmere and 35% silk. Luxurious, I'm sure, but more than my budget can handle. At $23 per ball x 12 balls for project = way too much money. It is listed as heavy worsted, so I'm sure I can find something else to use.

I've placed an order with KnitPicks, and am now waiting with baited breath.

Here's Molly from above, sleeping in a little doggie curl on the couch.

Blocking of Branching Out

I've never blocked lace before, and I hear that it transfoms it. So -- I did it. I followed the directions in the Knitty pattern. Cold water soak, carefully squeezed out the water, placed length-wise in towel (beach towel) and pulled out most of the water. I lay the protective pad on our dining room table, then the beach towel doubled over twice, and pinned the scarf to the towel. I ran out of pins -- twice! I hope it dries in the shape to which it is blocked (isn't that the purpose of blocking?) We'll see.

Thoughts and Prayers

I didn't want today to go by without a mention of the London bombings. My thoughts and prayers are extended to all in London. I remember on 9/11 how heartwarming it was to hear support from people in other countries, so I take this opportunity to extend the same to you. I offer this Irish blessing (source: internet; author: anonymous):

The light of God surround you.

The love of God enfold you.

The power of God protect you.

The presence of God watch over you.

Knitting news -- The blog was very quickly reviewed and accepted to the Southern Knit Bloggers ring. Welcome to any who wander this way from the ring.

I am trying to decide on a new knitting project. After the Yarn Harlot talked about this shawl -- the Highland Triangle Shawl from Folk Shawls, I got interested. I already own the book. It calls for a DK weight yarn, and I'm thinking about Merino style from Knitpicks in the Storm color. I'm part of the Summer of Lace yahoo group, and saw the finished SeaScape shawl pictured here. Hmm, another possibility, maybe with Alpaca cloud from Knitpicks in midnight? And then Creatures of the Reef from Fiddlesticks came to mind again. I like the yarn used in the pattern, which is Zephyr wool-silk, maybe in Indigo. See a blue pattern emerging? Time to order yarn!

Pushing it out of the Nest

Here is a photo of my Branching Out scarf unblocked. Wish me luck, as I am now going to take her upstairs and block her. I hope this works!

I've worked on my blog now for several months. It has been a learning experience -- trying to understand tags, incorporate pictures and buttons. I've really enjoyed it. Today I shoved the baby Sandpiper out of the nest. I applied to be a part of three knitting blog rings. We'll see if I get approval to join any of them.

I've also designed a new button; just for fun -- because I really like playing with the button designing web page. If you are looking for a site to use to design simple buttons, check out GRSites Button Maker.

Project done -- almost

I finished the Branching Out scarf. Well, almost. I have finished the knitting and need to block it yet. I'm looking forward to the blocking -- everything I read says that blocking really changes the look of lace. I'll post a pre-blocking picture from home.

I've started another felted purse. Mom has been in the hospital, and I wanted something mindless to do in her room. I'm using a navy blue Brown Sheep Lambs Pride, 10 1/2 needles (circular, 24 inch) and just knitting knitting knitting. Cast on 88, knit 56 rows. No stripes in this one.

I want to do the project from Pawley's Island pictured in the previous post, but I need to pick up needles first. My LYS is closed for vacation, and I can't find size 19 needles with sharp enough points to avoid frustration during the endless K2T.

Stash Enhancement

I should have mentioned in the entry following our vacation that I went to a yarn shop at Pawley's Island while we were in South Carolina. It is called Island Knits and is located in the Island Shops, right along Route 17. Take a look at the photos of their shop on the web page. The setting is just beautiful. It is set among several other small shops, surrounding a creek with a pond. They have ducks and swans; my husband and sons even saw either heron or an egret while we were there -- right in front of them, hoping up on the railing before flying away.

The shop itself is very nice. It has a front porch with rocking chairs. Sample knits on the porch and all through the shop. The lady who was working when I was there was very friendly and helpful. I had a great time shopping. She invited me back the next evening for there Wednesday evening class.

I bought the yarn and needles that you see above. One of them is Ritratto by Tahki Stacy Charles. It is a mohair (28%), Viscose (53%), polyester (9%) and Polyamide (10%) blend. It is color #64. The other one is the Trendsetter yarn, Spruce in the Blue Calvin colorway. I bought these two yarns to make a "Spider Shaw" -- a free pattern that they gave me at the store. I also bought a pair of Brittany needles, size US 8. I just loved the ends of the needles; aren't they pretty? I would recommend this store!

Buttons in the Sidebar

Thanks to JK and this post in the Knitter's Review forum, I was able to add buttons to my sidebar that are links. I am so happy! I now have lots of buttons.

Branching progress

No new picture to post of the Branching Out scarf, but it is coming along. I've finished almost 16 repeats, which means that I am over half-way done. I've never knit with anything like this silky wool -- it feels different that other yarns I've used. I'm anxious to block this baby and see how she does. I've joined the Branching Out knit along (link on the sidebar). It is fun to see all the different versions people are doing. I don't know how to do it, but I think one done in fall colors would be nice, especially if it could be done like this one that Alison from Digital Yarn has done. Very subtle color changes.

Wendy at Wendy Knits has started a Summer of Lace. There is a yahoo group going hosted by Wendy -- post on sidebar -- as a knit along. I never thought of myself as a lace knitter, but I guess Branching Out is lace, and so is my Koigu scarf. I learned alot of increasing and decreasing stitches with the clapotis, so maybe it is time to learn something about lace. I joined the KAL.

What I did on my vacation

We just got back from vacation, and I thought I would share what I knit while we were there. I started a clutch from the book Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick. I knit it from these yarns (except the Mountain Colors) that I mentioned before -- the blue, teal, dark green and remainder of Shaeffer Yarn. I felted it this morning. I has turned out larger than I anticipated, so I'm turning it into a purse -- I just need to find out what handle to use. I also need to figure out how to sew in a zipper. I've never done that before.

I started Branching Out from Knitty. This is a lace scarf that I'm doing in Elizabeth Lavold's silky wool. I saw the pattern on Knitter's Review and realized that I already had the yarn for it. Amazing. I like it so far. I'm about 10 repeats into it. I'm trying to teach myself to use the chart -- so far, so good.

I've also included a view from our window on vacation. Nice to sit here on the terrace, admire the view and knit.

Oh, and I read the Yarn Harlot's book book book, and loved it -- A Knit's End: Meditations for Women who Knit too Much by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.

The view from our window on vacation