Yarn Along everywhere with my shawl!

My Halo shawl is with me at all times. It's the perfect on the go project and it's been so enjoyable to knit. There is something soothing about a pi shawl combined with Jared Flood's designs that make me happy. It's easy to follow, never more than a few lace repeats to memorize and it just goes and goes...round and round. 

I'm knitting this one in O-Wool fingering super wash. Now, let's talk about super wash wool. Some people are super against it and I get that...but this is going to be a gift for someone that doesn't knit and might not be as aware of care of a 100% wool or alpaca blanket might need. OR if you're someone like ME that ACCIDENTALLY put their Leaves of Grass shawl knitted with 100% baby alpaca IN THE WASHER AND DRYER and it came out as a small crumpled up sad wonky shaped blob of wool....then yeah, Superwash is sometimes a good idea.

Yes that happened to me. It was years ago and I'm still trying to recover.

Anyway....back on track. So yes, I'm knitting this with fingering O-Wool wash in the Oyster Mushroom color way and I love it so far. I'm on the lace edging right now and on track to finish it in time to gift.

In other knitting news, I have taught my son's girlfriend how to knit and she's obsessed! YAY FOR ME!!!!!!!! Maybe not yay for my son. LOL. He said he feels like he's with his mom when she's knitting. hah. But I'm thrilled that she likes it. She's made 2 hats already and I took for a trip up to Chelsea Yarns in Red Bank for their sidewalk sale. We had a good time. Doesn't my son look thrilled in the store photo?! I designed the big banner for their Shawlapalooza knit along. Love doing the graphic design for Christina. Such a fun shop and she's awesome to work with.

We had a really nice little snack lunch at a Crepe store. (Purple Debbie if you're reading this you would like it there). I had a coffee, Chase had ice cream, Dalton had an apple pie crepe and Maire had a cheesecake crepe. They also have breakfast and lunch crepes. Yummy! And very cute inside. The cafe was a hit with all of us. We had a really nice time in Red Bank for the afternoon.

I've been bumming about not getting to the beach much this summer. I start to twitch if I don't get good beach time in!!!! So last night we all went up the beach and had pizza and then some beach play time. I'll take what I can get these days. It was a picture perfect weather night and I of course got a few rows knitted.

Hope you're all having a good summer and knitting up a storm!

Links: Halo Shawl

Whipped Creperie

Chelsea Yarns

Cast-onitis

I have a serious case of cast-onitis. I'm usually a very monogamous knitter for the most part. A big project (sweater) and maybe a pair of socks for baseball knitting. But now?! I don't know what's happened!!!! I'm out of control.

I am 3/4 of the way through my sweater for Rhinbeck but I just need a little break from it.

And I finished up the cute little baby hat I was making for a friend.

And the new shawl with the cormo...well that one is fun to knit but requires concentration and constant pattern reading.

And then I wanted to make a special gift for my cousin that is getting married this fall.

So yup.....new blanket is on the needles for her and her fiancé. And if I can get that blanket done in time I might try to make a Joji Starting Point shawl for her in her wedding colors. 

Here's the blanket info: Halo Shawl by Jared Flood. Oh how I love Jared Flood. Haven't knitted one of his patterns in a while. I should strictly knit his patterns. They are so much fun and easy to follow.

Brooklyn Tweed is also running a summer lace KAL so I hopped on board. Might as well! Joan is also knitting this blanket as a baby blanket. Her version is in a pretty sage green.

I have all boys and my oldest son has been dating his girlfriend for almost a year. She has been mentioning wanting to learn to knit so this past week I sat with her and helped her start. She picked it up immediately! Made me so happy. She commented to me last night that she was at home knitting on the couch and watching a movie and felt just like me. Hah! 

And I am flying through books. 'Tis the season I suppose. I read a lot more in the summer than the winter. I am reading Lincoln in the Bardo. Sooooo good! Of course as I began the book I was completely confused. If you've read this book you know what I mean. It's written so differently than most books. I guess that's what makes it so genius. Once I got into the flow of the writing, I picked right up on it and I don't want to put it down. 

Here are a few random pictures from the past week off my cell phone.

Hope you're all doing well and knitting and crocheting fabulous things!

On My Needles

Summer knitting is in full force, as it always is. I am a year-round knitter. The hot weather doesn't keep wool out of my lap. No sir. I'm making good progress on my Rhinebeck sweater. I have a sleeve left to go, steek (ahhh!) and then seaming and the collar.  Yarn: O-Wool Worsted Wash Pattern: Super Soul Cardigan by Mary Jane Mucklestone. Ravelry link here

Also knitting a little baby hat for a friend that just found out she is expecting a little girl! After two boys, this will be her first daughter. So exciting and an itty bitty hat is in order. Using the left over sock yarn from my Hermiones Everyday socks. Yarn: Backyard Fiberworks sock (merion/nylon/cashmere) in the Urchin color way.

I started a new shawl. It's the Whiskeyfied shawl by Melanie Berg. I'm using Backyard Fireworks cormo in their fingering weight blend. It's a pretty charcoal color.

I finished up my Hermiones Everyday Socks. I didn't add a heel yet. I might not. They fit perfectly without the heels but I don't know if it will wear well. So for now they are done...unless I change my mind about the heel.

I've read two books in the last week. I highly recommend "White Dresses" by  Mary Pflum Peterson. I also read Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham. If you are a fan of Gilmore Girls (how can you not be?) then you will enjoy this read. It's quick and light and fun.

I am going to start reading Lincoln in the Bardo this weekend. It was recommended by a friend and I'm hoping it's a good one.

Hope you all have a great weekend! Happy knitting!

Yarn Along and Random Pics from my phone

The end of the school year is nutty time! We have been busy celebrating, attending award ceremonies, playoff baseball games, finishing up baseball seasons, campfires on the weekends, a new favorite beer, chickens bug hunting at dusk, baby alpaca cuteness and of course knitting.

Summer is very close and my kids are ready. Last few days this week and then no more bus stops to rush to and hectic after school schedules. Hoping for a nice summer!

What are you knitting these days?

Knitting link: Super Soul Cardigan

And just a friendly reminder that Liz is offering fun classes at the farm this summer. 

Classes are filling up so don't miss out! 

Click here for more info: Lessons with Liz

Yarn Along

Yes, I know, the yarn along isn't really a thing anymore, but it's Wednesday...and to me it will always be Yarn Along Day! So here's some fiber goodness to share.

I am making good progress on my sweater that I intend to wear to Rhinebeck. It's the Super-Soul Cardigan by Mary Jane Mucklestone. I am making some modifications to mine. No pockets and knitting it stockinette instead of the pattern.

Ravelry info: Super-Soul

And check out that vintage fiber newspapers! So cool. A member of the fiber guild that my mom and sister Liz belong to was giving them away. I am really enjoying looking through them. This one was printed the year I was born.

Speaking of the fiber guild, my mom and sister joined this group a year ago (or longer?) not sure. They meet in Ocean Township. Everyone in the group has an interest in fiber and every time they meet, they discuss and create together. This week it was at my mom's house and the topic was spinning. I'm not a spinner, but I thought it would be nice to stop over and see what this was all about. I'm so glad I did! The women in the group were wonderful. Some people were missing that evening so I didn't get to meet everyone. Fiber people all together in one room....it's a wonderful place to be.

One of the girls was hand combing this cormo fleece. It was so squishy and pretty! I'm a cormo lover.

The photos are dark, but you get the idea of how the evening went. Wish I could have stayed longer!

Happy Wednesday and I hope you're all having a good week.

What are you creating or reading?