Memory shawl (part2)

So, the next yarn is a beautiful malabrigo silk in a stunning shade of purple..

So, this yarn was most certainly therapy yarn. It was purchased about 5 minutes after I received aea sage saying that my step father had been rushed to the hospital. He later had triple bypass (and has recovered well) 

Sometimes we find comfort in the strangest places. I believe for us knitters it becomes our yarn. This weekend I have been making yarn ball ornaments (photos later) there is nothing knitting related about these ornaments, except the yarn. My brain is going a mile a minute with thoughts, but these yarn balls take lots of concentration (and hot glue). Yarn is the perfect comfort food. It sustains is. It gives us something beautiful, soft, and warm. We know it can become something. 

This yarn eventually became an ishbel for a lovely friend. This friend came into my life at a rough patch. Through music and faith we became fast friends. 

(Link to finished shawl below) 

http://instagram.com/p/lAPcfEihym/

Memory Shawl (part 1)

Recently, someone asked me to help her out with a small project. Since I have NOTHING better to do with my time, I figured why not.

The conversation went something like this.

You game?

Sure, why not, I only just decided to knit all of my co-workers Potter themed hand knits, but why not knit something else.

Challenge: knit Clara Park's one Skein Shawl. MUST be knit with stash yarn, musst alsso include multiple yarns. .


So, I didn't have to think long about the project. Recently I had been organizing my yarns, and I came acorss yarns from projects that I didn't want to get rid of. For whatever reason, I really loved these yarns. I finally put my finger on it with this project. Maybe it was the yarn, maybe it was the project, but these yarns help a special place in my heart.

The finished product is more than I could have imagined it would be. It is beautiful, it is colorful, it is possibly one of my favorite projects.

Saoirse:

The first yarn from this project is called Saoirse . This was much more than a yarn. Saoirse is a beautiful little girl who battled cancer alongside her mom.

Sadly, she lost her battle. Her mom and dad have carried on her memory through the Fitzgerald Cancer Fund to raise awareness and funds for Neuroblastoma research. Another Crafty Girl on Etsy created a beautiful colorway to honor Saoirse and support the Fitzgerald Cancer fund. I immediately JUMPED at the chance to get some. I turned the Yarn into 2 hats, and still had more left over. There was never Quite enough yarn for a full project, but the energizer bunny that was this yarn just didn't want to quit.

 


The hats that came from this yarn, and the final project that this yarn will become (a gift for Saoirse's mom) have always been a joy for me to knit. I know that these hats have gone to children that can share be warmed by the spirit of an incredibly happy child who had n incredible smile and a fierce determination.

 

This project will be written up in multiple blog posts. More to come. . . . 

Weekend WIP

I had to put one project in hibernation, really for two reasons. 1. I totally screwed it up and started knitting in the wrong direction, and 2…. I bought a new dress so then I had to find a new project.

I have 2 projects on the needles right now… WEll, lets be honest. I have 2 projects on the needles that I am willing to make public.

First project is my new favorite hat pattern. I LOVE this pattern!!!

Butterfly hat pattern by Sofiya Cremin. I LOVE this pattern. It is versatile, it is pleasant to knit, and it is super simple. I have made 3 of them. A friend from choir asked if I could make a hat for her new niece, and I couldn't resist.

So, this is how I spent my Friday night. Who could disagree with THAT night. 

Since I bought a new dress for the cousins wedding, I had to find something new to make to go with it. The original plan was peach and grey, and I was going to knit Chevrette. I was having trouble with the pattern. I decided to look for something else. 

I decided to cast on Clara Park's One skein Shawl  . I decided to use some yarn that has been in my stash for 7 years. The yarn was given to me as a gift from Nutmegknitter , probably after her baby shower? 

I love the simplicity of this pattern, and it is flying off the needles. It will be done in plenty of time for the wedding and it will be a GREAT color for the dress. 

What was my favorite part?

First things first, I have very few pictures to show. I made a point of not carrying my phone with me for most of the weekend. I really didn't want to be checking email, and I think I did a good job of it. I used the phone to plurk and post on facebook.

I had misplaced my camera, it has thankfully been found. But MAN what a weekend. I am still winding down from it.

The weekend started picking up two pretty awesome ladies. They had flown in from California. First stop Webs (well Duh)

We did really well. I hadn't planned on spending money. I had to buy needles for my class and then a few things just jumped into my arms. The beautiful Blue o the Right, yup, that's the Madelintosh. mmmmmmmm


I decided to look at some spindles, and got myself a Hi-Lo spindle. I also got some Arucania sock yarn. Totally not my colors at ALL but thank you to Angela for pointing out what the yarn looked like knit up, I am excited to see this take shape.

Also in the Warehouse I managed to find this little number.
A Lantern Moon Sling Bag. It is SOOO fantastic for traveling. I LOVE it for commuting already. For $25? It lacks the bonus pockets that most knitting bags have, but it makes up for that in the shape, the sling shoulder, and the perfectly placed smaller pocket for stashing the wallet.



After Webs it was off to Williamstown (FYI, in the famous words of Into the Woods (slightly modified: When going to Webs, know how to get there (it's easy to miss the street) and eat first! After 2.5 hours we were properly hungry.

Then it was off to the retreat. The drive to WIlliamstown was lovely. It got dark on the drive. Probably a good thing for my nerves. Williamstown is in a valley, and there are hairpin, and I mean DEFINITION of hairpin, turns heading into the valley. Had I been able to see the drop off's, I would have been terrified. Thanks to not being able to see the rocks, having great company, driving a great vehicle (thanks Jen) and taking it slow we got their safely, and just in time for dinner.

The Williams Inn is a LOVELY hotel. the have real KEYS!!!! no key cards here, I love that.

After dinner we gathered our stuff, and headed into our meet and greet.

(Oh yeah, we got goodie bags, I'll share that when I get home tonight, you want visuals for those)

Did i mention how amazing Clara Parks is? Being welcomed by her smiling face was simply amazing.

WE spent the evening hearing about other people's projects and their philosophy's on knitting. I think the Kris's was the most popular (As long as I have yarn to knit with I will live forever, then there was Chris of Briar Rose. . . I'm Dyin till I Die. . . . )

After a long day of travel I decided to turn in after the festivities of the night.

Oh yeah, I visited the stash room. don't worry, I will share pictures there as well.

What was my favorite part of the retreat. . . . .
Was it being able to knit at meals without getting funny looks?
Maybe it was hearing "May I touch you?" more than once.
How about "wait wait stop, I have got to show someone what you are wearing?"
Oh, how about having a conversation with Ann Budd, yeah I totally didn't know it was her.
Maybe taking a class sitting next to Melanie Falick (What a classy lady, Man can she sew!!! Seriously, she's got skills with a needle!!!)
Maybe it was people walking up to me and saying "Can I just touch you for luck?"
How about my impromptu spinning lessons
The stash room
the encouragement
Maybe receiving just the encouragement that I need to start designing some illusion knitting projects.

This weekend was truly inspiring. I spent 3 days with people who have a passion for a craft. I miss them all.

Pictures of the goodies to come.