Adam's Nanny

Courant by Berroco

Over the weekend I began working on Berroco's Courant pattern. It may appear very intricate but in reality is very easy. I am working with Hand Maiden Sea Silk and I have my fingers crossed that the two skeins that I have will do the trick.  It's about 850 yards and once it is completed and blocked, I am sure it will grow in size.

 

I wrote the pattern on index cards and put a ring through the corner.  I am able to keep track of each row on its individual card.  It has made my knitting much easier and something I will continue to do in the future.  I don't know who to credit for this ingenious method; I know I read it recently, but can't remember the source.

 

So many patterns, not enough time

Well, my very good friend is having a milestone birthday next month and in January I searched for a very special yarn to knit something special for her.  I searched the web and found exactly what I wanted and new the pattern I was going to make another Clapotis.  But I didn't like the way it was working out.  So last night at knitting, Rebecca was making a shawl and I thought the pattern would be perfect for the gift.  So I decided to give it a try last night and I'm glad I did.  I am much happier with this pattern.  So after her birthday, I will post the finished gift.

I really was doing well working on one project at a time but that seems to have gone out the window now.  Robin showed off her Birch shawl (found in Rowan 34) last night and I fell in love with that too.  It is made with Rowan Kid Silk. 

 If you go to Ravelry, you can see how lovely it is.  Maggie has already started the Aestllight.  I know I would love to do it in Manos silk and have it ready to wear at Stitches.  This is the combination I plan on using.  (See previous post for picture of shawl.)

I am still moving along with my Box Square Shawl, using the Classic Elite Premier in black. I'm still think this is too heavy for this shawl.   I am hoping I can spend a good amount of time this weekend knitting and making some headway with all my projects. 

Aestlight Shawl

Well, yesterday when a friend called me at work and told me she found an amazing shawl on Ravelry, I immediately went on line and purchased it.  It was love at first sight. I love purchasing and downloading the patterns right away.    It is called Aestlight designed by Gudron Johnston, The Shetland Trader.  It was knitted with Malabrigo sock yarn.  Check it out on Ravelry.

 

 

  

This version was done by GoodGirlSaturday and shown on Ravelry.  I love the color combination.

 

Right now I am plugging away at the Box Square shawl and enjoying the simplicity of it. 

In the end of the day - it's the Box Square Shawl

 

It's been a chore spending two weekends cleaning out a storage bin that has accumulated 30 years of miscellaneous toys, clothing, books, and one unfinished dollhouse. Last weekend in order to reward ourselves, we took a trip to Philadelphia for lunch at El Vez. 

We started off Margaritas and Guacamole. 

We ordered the Mexican Chopped Salad with Chicken, which was outstanding. And the Surf and Turf Taco.

                                                      

                                                    

After lunch we walked over to the Seamen's Museum to see the Skin & Bones Tattoo Exhibit.  One explanation for the pig and rooster tattoos on a sailor's feet is that pigs and roosters can't swim so they would help you find the shortest distance to shore.  It was a fascinating exhibit and  explained why Macy's came to use the red star in their advertising campaigns.                                                    

                                                                

And this past week, I took two vacation days in order to complete my cleaning  job.  I worked diligently all day Thursday and Friday emptying the remainder of the contents of the storage area and making lots of trips to drop off donations to a local charity.

Saturday morning a good friend's son was married.  They were blessed with a beautiful day and it was a beautiful wedding.  It was nice to get all dressed up and do something special after all that cleaning.

                                         

 

Finally, on Sunday I pulled out my needles and started my black shawl.   I changed the pattern I had originally intended to do. I just couldn't deal with the double pointed needles so I am now knitting the Box-Lace Shawl from Cheryl Oberyle's Folk Shawl book. 

                                   

Even though I have never liked working with cotton of any kind, this Classic Elite cotton is beautiful and silky.  I'll post some pictures as soon as I make some progress.

364 days til the next one

 

I had a wonderful birthday yesterday.  I was treated to lunch by coworkers and had Happy Birthday sung to me in English, Polish and Portuguese.  (I even received Happy Birthday greetings from Honda, Harrah's, Houlihan's, and Borders.  All these companies sent me varying degrees of offers from a free entree to discounts; that is, everyone but the Honda dealer.)

Last night there were margaritas and martinis at dinner and this beautiful cake when I got home.   I love strawberry shortcake and this one was exceptional. One of the lightest cakes I've ever had.  It was a surprise that came from Lady M Confections.

Since we are in the process of clearing our storage area (50 years of accumulating lots of stuff) and I was still very awake after the cake, I stayed up until 1:00 a.m. going through papers and miscellaneous pictures that were stuffed envelopes.  I had to smile when I came across this photo from my high school senior prom. It was a lot of years ago.  Five years later we were married.

 

It was a great finish to a wonderful birthday only 364 more days til the next one.

 

 

It's My Birthday!

 

And what a perfect cake covered in sunflowers from the Cupcake Cafe. 

My birthday celebration started early with an unexpected trip on Friday to Brooklyn (There were no more left turns in Manhattan before we got to the Williamsburg Bridge)  But we made the best of it and dined on great  pizza for lunch and then moved on to Park Slope for ice cream sundaes at an amazing chocolate shop. 

Saturday, I went to Knitknack and treated myself to the black yarn for my shawl, which I hope to start shortly.

And this afternoon my co-workers  treated me to lunch. Tonight I am going to the new Beer Garden in Jersey City for dinner.  Even the weather is beautiful.  What a great birthday!

World's Longest Knitted Scarf

 

Last Thursday night I brought all the information to our knitting group hoping we could all participate in Knitting the World's Longest Scarf .   As part of the celebration of the International Year of Natural Fibres, Keep the Fleecein partnership with Heifer Internationalis helping to organize teams around the world to knit sections of the World's Longest Scarf that will all be joined together at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival, October 17-18, 2009.  The goal is to raise $250,0000 for Heifer International.  Please check it out.  It's a wonderful project. 

 

Thursday night also turned out to be an incredible Show and Tell night too.  Here is a sampling of the incredible garments that were proudly modeled by their knitters and designers.