Mystery Shawl Update - Week 1

I am plugging away at this Mystery Shawl, and still finishing up the first clue.  The second clue was released on Thursday night, but I looked at it and got scared.  It's BRIOCHE!  Yikes.  I have never had positive results with brioche, but I will try again.  The good thing is, Stephen West has a very in depth video tutorial, which is very helpful.

Here is my progress so far.  I have a few more rows to go in order to complete this wedge.

Nakniswemo Sweater and Westknits Mystery Shawl Update - Day 6

I checked the NaKniSweMo group on Ravelry, and felt that I should really get a move on my sweater. I saw so many beautiful sweaters that have so much progress already.  So, here is where I am today.  I knitted a total of 4 pattern repeats.  I have about 2.5 more to go to complete this panel. Then, I have to start the second panel. 

Today is also the day that I should complete clue #1 of the WestKnits Mystery Shawl if I want to keep up.  I started wedge 6 today.  I completed about 2 more rows on the train.  The good thing is, the amount of stitches in each row become less and less as you progress.  

I am still loving my projects.  I am really eager to see what the next section looks like.  

NaKniSweMo Progress - WIP Wednesdays

Here is the sleeve of my Japan Sleeve sweater.  I only completed about 16 rows of the pattern repeat since the last time I posted.  I will say that as I am reading the written instructions, it is going much faster than reading the chart.  I thought about doing these two at a time, but I actually like how it feels on the DPNs, and I think that the circular needle cord might get tangled with 2 different working yarns coming from the same skein.  

More updates soon, I promise. I can't wait to see how this looks blocked. 

Mystery Manicure

Here is the progress that I made on the Westknits Mystery Shawl.  

I am really loving the direction that this Shawl is taking. 

The color scheme has inspired me to do a quick manicure.  Quick because, I wanted to keep on knitting.

The nail polish used is Essie's Bachelorette Bash and Butter London's The Dark Knight.  

Happy Nails means Happy Knitting!!!  Woohoo!!! 

Thinking of Socks

Knitting socks yesterday has made me think about my next pair of socks. 

I have this lovely Malbec color from Voolenvine yarns. I have decided to make the Owlie socks, so that meant a trip to Michael's for size 6 beads. 

This is what I found. 

 

I decided to use the bottom color. I love the duo chrome effect.  

And speaking of socks, here is a comparison of what I finished last night on DPNs, to what was already knit on the other sock, with the 9 inch circular needle. 

Happy knitting everyone. 

Knitting and Cheerleading.

Today, I went to Queens College to attend a Cheerleading Competition.  Of course, I thought about what project to bring with me.  

I had already started my Revolte socks, and completed the afterthought heel zip line (light grey yarn).  

So, I decided to rip out my ill-fitting sock that was made with a size 1.5 needle. I casted on again with size 1 Lantern Moon bamboo needles that I bought from Purl Soho last week.  I like these needles.  They are 6 inches, and very smooth.  

After a few hours of knitting, cheering, video-taping, and clapping, I made some great progress on my sock.

My little cousin's team also won great prizes.  They were so good.  Both of them were lifted in the stunts.  

I'm so proud of them.  They were full of energy, confident, and had full control during their routine. 

And, of course they were happy to hold the trophies. 

So, after all of the excitement, I decided to wind down by trying my hand at some Japanese lace.  Truthfully, it's not so relaxing. I am used to lace where the pattern is on the right side, and the wrong side is just a purl row.  NOT HERE!!!!  There are yarn overs and p2togs on the wrong side too!  OMG

This is the lace on the sleeve of the Japan Sleeves pattern.  

This is 1 lace repeat, which measures 3.75" tall.  I have to work each sleeve to 23 inches, so I am calculating that I will need to do 6 pattern repeats for each sleeve.  1 down 11 more to go!  Woohoooo!!!

Lastly, I made use of the extra hour that we had from resetting the clock,  by knitting on the Ombre scarf.  I have 2 more skeins to add, and it is currently at 56 inches.

I sent a picture to the recipient, and he is happy with it.  I'm trying to hurry, because NYC has gotten really cold.  

November - The Month of Knitted Goodies

This month, I have waaaaaay too many projects plan, and probably not enough time to do them all.  But, why should that stop me?  

I have casted on EXPLORATION STATION - The Stephen West/Westknits Mystery Shawl.  I have no idea what it's going to look like.  I had a hell of a time choosing colors, but I am so happy that I chose the colors I did.  Along the way, I found a really good yarn store, and snagged an awesome sale.

So, let's get to it, shall we?  

I started by putting together colors for the shawl, and asked friends on Ravelry, Facebook, and Instagram to help me choose a color scheme.  

Pop Rocks at Midnight it is.  

I spent some time looking for the yarn online, and although Purl Soho had them all, I am a woman who likes more bang for my buck, so I set out to find a cheaper alternative, if possible.  

I came across Eat Sleep Knit, they had tons of MadelineTosh colors, and I also noticed this thing called a Yarn Marathon.  Basically, you get points for the amount of yards of yarn purchased.  When you reach certain mileage milestones, you get certificates for $$$ off your purchase.  Woohoooo... I love buying stuff and getting perks.  So, then and there I decided to buy 2 projects worth of yarn.  I also intended to buy yarn to make Japan Sleeves for NaKniSweMo.  

4 skeins of MadelineTosh Tosh Merino Light.  Lastly, I was looking for Tosh Sock in Holi Festival because I am falling in love with speckled dyes, and it is such a pretty color.  They had 1 skein left.  Of course it had to be mine. 

So, here is my haul.

Because of the yardage, I quickly earned a welcome packet to the Yarn Marathon, and I was given a yarn lotto ticket as well.

I didn't win a prize, but there is always next time.

For my second amazing yarn purchase, I took part in a Craftsy Flash Sale, and scored all of my Madeline Tosh yarn at 20% off.  

Here is my haul.  Tosh DK in Tart, Charcoal, and Antler. 

I am going to use this to make the Blue Sand Cardigan.  

It takes up a ton of yardage, but it's so pretty and comfy. 

After ordering the yarn, I found these loafers at DSW that match perfectly.  Yes, I am a strong advocate for coordination.

I decided to try out the Charcoal colorway for the shawl.  It looked lighter on the screen, so I thought it would work, but it wasn't such a good fit. Actually, the DK is lighter than the Tosh Merino Light.  Maybe that's what confused me. 

I went to Purl Soho the next day to snag the Silver Fox Colorway to use in the shawl instead.

And now everything is right in the world.  Haha! 

So, let's get back to Eat Sleep Knit for a moment.  During their 4th Quarter challenge, they are having a Stephen West Pattern Challenge. The requirement is that you use 180 yds of yarn from Eat Sleep Knit.  Well, I've got that covered.  The prize is 1,000 yards added to my mileage account.  I will also have the pleasure of getting to know my team members,the Stitchosaurs on Ravelry.  This should be fun.

So, without further adieu, here is my shawl progress.

Wedge 1

Wedge 3

Wedge 4

I will have a lot of ends to weave in, but this is a lot of fun.  The excitement on Ravelry is awesome as well. 2 more wedges to go, in order to complete the first clue.