Abigail's Corner

Abigail spent most of the holiday season in her felted bed / basket. Many people came into the shop and were surprised to see her, and I kept hearing comments like, "I thought it was one of those stuffed cats you see in the mall"! Not spending any time at the mall, I didn't have a clue as to what they were talking about, but someone described stuffed cats in baskets that are sold in the kiosks. My reply became, "No, she's real--she eats and poops"!

Christmas at Y2Knit

It was a windy evening, clear and cold. December 8th was the Old Time Christmas Celebration in the tiny town of Funkstown. All the businesses and homes were decorated for Christmas, most included homemade luminaries among their decorations. Every year a group of townspeople get together and fill brown paper bags with a dozen white paper bags, sand, and candles and deliver them to every home and business. All the shops stay open, there are hayrides and the town hall serves cookies and punch.

Susan set her luminaries out and I managed to get one photo with all of them lit before the wind put them all out. One even blew over and caught
fire leaving a candle, and a pile of sand and ashes.

Despite the weather the town was bustling. This event always attracts a good crowd. Inside the shop the conditions were much nicer. Susan had invited two other crafters to display their wares.

Frankie Yourgulez was offering her handmade sterling silver jewelry and homemade salsa and Allison Coles Severance from Coles Pottery set up a large display of her pottery.

Chips and Frankie's salsa were served in two beautiful little bowls with pouring spouts and handles.


Susan had a collection of her handmade books for sale.

Yarn Review: Blue Heron

Blue Heron Yarns, 89% silk/12% rayon twist in Tulip

I love this yarn. The moment that I saw the beautiful colorway and the unusual texture of this yarn I was hooked. When I touched it I had to have it. I can't seem to get a good photo. I'm certainly not the world's greatest photographer.



It has an unusual feel to it, sort of rich, as in thick and creamy. The finished shawl has an excellent drape but retains it's shape very well. I've worn it many times and there is no fuzzing (is that a word) or pills. It did shed a little while I was knitting it but it doesn't leave any fibers on my clothes now that it's been handled. I would definitely choose this yarn again.

Radioactive Pirate Hat Done!

Posted by Kim


Pattern: We Call Them Pirates by Hello Yarn
Yarn: Green - Kokon 35% cotton, 35% silk, 30% microfiber
Black - ggh superwash merino wool
Needles: size 3, 16" circular; size 3, 7" dnp; size 1, 12" circular

My freind Doug agreed to model the green pirate hat. I finished it last night and steam blocked it. This hat is so much fun to make. It turned out smaller than the black and white one because the green yarn was a slightly smaller gauge. I really need to make a least 2 more of these for nephews. This one will have to go to one of the younger ones because it should fit loosely. I will have to experiment with other yarns and/or needles on the others.

Here is a detail of the lining. I decided to do it with the green since I had a lot left over.

I think the next one will be turquoise and black but the center row of skulls will be green. I'm pretty sure that I have enough of the green for that.

I can also picture this with a bright handpainted yarn for the skulls. Whadda ya think?

Icarus Shawl is Finished!!!!

As I've said before, this was my first lace project. This was also the first time I've used blocking wires. I got a set at my LYS Y2Knit. I had heard people talking about how expensive blocking wires can be so I was a little apprehensive but they were only $25 for a complete set.



Susan, the owner, and I looked at my remaining yarn while I was there and she estimated that I wouldn't have enough to finish. She gave me another ball and told me to bring back what I didn't use. I ran out a little over half-way through the bind-off. I did a combination of the a spit and a russian join. It held during the blocking without any trouble so I think it will be fine.



I didn't have to stretch it to get to 72" wide and 36" down the center. It was plenty big. There are a few mistakes and twisted stitches but all-in-all I am very, very happy. Thank you, Miriam for creating this beautiful pattern and thanks to all the knitters in this KAL for all their advice and encouragement.

Info:
Icarus Shawl
Pattern by Miriam Felton
Published in Interweave Knits - Summer 2006
Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr 50% merino/50% silk, approx. 880 yds.
Started: May 21, 2006
Finished: July 16, 2006