Lace Knitting and Other Projects

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Originally uploaded by Catheaven.

Well it's been awhile since I've been able to sit down and actually blog. I've been busy with a multitude of projects.
I am trying to work on reducing my stash size. The Stash group on Ravelry is a great motivator for me. I've been working on lots of baby items, which i can't share just yet.

The big project that I have undertaken is the Moon Dance stole written by Melanie Gibbons. This is my first venture into chart reading. Let's just say that chart reading and I didn't get along so well initially. I had a lot of trouble trying to figure out just how my increases and decreases were going to happen. I emailed the designer and asked on ravelry how this is done. Responses were few and finally I just couldn't wait any longer. The best advice came from a friend of just knit it as it reads. So off I went and the rest is history. This pattern is pretty easy but the results are coming out beautiful. With this pattern I also learned how to use the provisional cast one. So easy!

I am enjoying this stole immensely and can't wait to get it finished.

Ariana's cropped Jacket

Woo Hoo I finished Ariana's Cropped Jacket. I'm pretty darn proud of it! It turned out a lot better than I had expected it too. I did have to perform "surgery" on it as when i bound off the shoulders I had the seam on the right side. So i had to pick it apart and re-do it on the wrong side. Thankfully it worked out fine.

The yarn used was Plymouth Encore bulky weight. Color was a dark blue.



Thankfully I had some buttons in my stash so she picked out the ones she wanted. They are frog faces. They look like the Sanrio character Keroppi but in blue.



Overall not a bad project. I love it!

Mason Dixie After Dark Nightie

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Originally uploaded by Catheaven.

IS FINALLY DONE! It was a fun and easy project. The yarn has a wonderful soft feeling and lovely drape. Holding this project up I thought it might be too heavy but having it on it really isn't. The one thing i didn't like was while i was working with the yarn. The only way I can describe the feeling is like dumping a lot of powder on my hands. I can't say I'd work with the yarn again anytime soon.

Overall I'm proud of the project!

Baby Blanket

blanket for jeana
Originally uploaded by Catheaven.

I originally started another blanket for a friend but the yarn just wasn't working for me. So Katherine over at Cottage yarns was showing me a blanket that she had done. I fell in love with it.
So I started this on a Friday night and had it done by Sunday night. It was quick and it was easy. The result is wonderful.
I really enjoyed this project. I also love the yarn that I used. I am already planning another one for my youngest daughter!!!

Multiplying Bunnies

12bunnies
Originally uploaded by Catheaven.

I found this cute very easy pattern on line to make bunnies. Since Easter is right around the corner I asked Ariana if she'd like me to make bunnies for her friends. Well that resulted in one dozen bunnies!

The pattern was very quick. From start to finish took about 2 hours. The more I did the better the bunnies looked. It took me awhile to figure out how to fold the bunnies correctly.

Project was fun and I did enjoy making them. Not to mention I was using my stash yarn!

First real attempt at Lace

shawl 3 3 size 6
Originally uploaded by Catheaven.

This is going to be my first shawl made out of laceweight yarn. It is a KAL in the Beginning Lace group on Ravelry. The pattern is called Blue Jeans Lace Leaf Shawl
I have had to start over a few times because I was having a small problem with the stitch count. When I finally got going I realized that it seemed awfully small compared to others. I was using a size 4 needle. I frogged it and moved up to a size 6. I like it a lot better.
I'm having a lot of fun with this pattern and with lace. The yarn is Malabrigo lace. I can't wait to finish it!

First Shrug

On Saturday I finally finished my shrug! Ugh this project goes right up there with my dad's afghan of taking forever. It was a very easy pattern but very boring. It is my first wearable that I've made for myself in all the years of crocheting and knitting. I am quite happy with it. Here is a picture of it with Ariana modeling it.




Here's the back of it. I lightened the photo up to see the back easier. Ariana didn't fix the collar when she put it on



And here is the side


Overall I love this shrug. I wore it on Saturday and kept my arms nice and warm.

Stitches West

This was my first Stitches event that I have been able to attend. I almost didn't make it as I was down with the flu and an awful cold at the beginning of the week. Saturday arrived and even though I was still slightly stuffed up and a tad light headed I made my way down. My friend, Julianne, came along with me for her first Stitches experience.

I had an idea of what I was looking for and who I wanted to see. First on my list was the Ravelry booth. Ravelry is the new online knitting/crocheting forum out there in cyber space. It is the best thing to happen to this craft. As soon as we walked in the door I was running around trying to find the booth. Once found I was oohing and aahing over all their items they were selling. I was so excited to see they still had tote bags for sale. I picked up one for myself and one for my friend, Louise. There was some mad text msg-ing going on. I also picked up BOB pins and another Ravelry pin. They ran out of their "Hello my name is" pins. But it's alright I was happy enough with my purchases and glad to help Ravelry out.

In one word Stitches West was overwhelming! Julianne and I were like "OMG this place is so big". I did tons of yarn browsing. My interests this time to a convention was lace and socks. I fell in love with the vendor, JOJOLAND I found a new yarn that i have just fallen in love with and I can't wait to try some of her other yarns. Also the patterns are exquisite. I picked up 3 of her patterns. I can't wait to try it out. I also got to check out another raveler's yarn. Creatively dyed yarn I didn't pick up any yarn at the show but I am definitely going to order a couple skeins from her. Her colors were absolutely stunning! I also checked out WEBS. The whole area was so busy that it was hard to walk in but I was able to do some browsing. I picked up a lace weight alpaca/wool blend yarn there. I am now just debating on which shawl to make first with it!

And to top off this wonderful Stitches experience I found out tonight that I won a prize in the Ravelry passport game. GO ME! I won the knitters block from Article Pract! WOO HOO! I couldn't believe it! Thank you to Ravelry, Article Pract, the other vendors, and Julianne (for helping me do my passport).

Overall it was a wonderful experience. I was pooped at days end but all I can say is I can't wait for next year!