tentenknits

The busy season

Ooh boy has work gone into full throttle and I haven't even hit the busiest week yet.  Starting Monday I have two presentations a day and then a huge Open House to run.  Such is my September - I take the roll of a traveling saleswoman pitching to every girl that crosses my path.  It's a crazy time because I'm in and out of my office which always has a constant full inbox or voicemail box waiting for me.  It's high energy and caffeine and excitement and crashing all at the same time.  It won't stop until November when things change into a full time desk job - inputting application after application until I go cross eyed.  Thus is the Admissions Director job...

Which makes having an FO feel really really ridiculously good! This was casted on just before Labor Day and I finished it this afternoon while watching my BC Eagles take on the Army.  I have another project just finished too so I can't really say my busy job has truly kept me from knitting but for some reason if Feels like it has. 

I just love this scarf.  I made one last fall for my brother Andrew and this one will go to a special recipient as well.  The next one I make is for ME.   My LYS is adding Malabrigo to her selection of yarns so I will happily wait for that shipment to be in for my very own Shifting Sands.  Who this scarf goes to, well that will have to wait a bit for me to reveal but it's going to a very hardworking friend who deserves this little piece of beautiful.

The Details:
Pattern - Shifting Sands by Grumperina
Yarn - 2 skeins of Malabrigo, Brown Berries
Needles - Size 9s Addi Turbos

I took a page out of Brooklyntweed's knit play book and casted on 42 stitches for the worsted weight.  It's a great width and wraps around my neck twice for a cozy fit.  A gorgeous scarf indeed and  a far cry from the  Roast Beef that my Boyfriend had nicknamed it when I started.

Who knows when I'll be posting next but I have a few buttons to sew and a light blocking to do but there's another knit that is waiting to be shown.  I'm sure you Shakespearian folks out there know what it is.  Until then, I'm off to have some Pinot Grigio.

Phew!

I needed your comments to make me feel better and I do! You're right, why cast on for something that you're just not in love with.  It doesn't make sense to spend all that precious time and energy on something you feel blah about.  Thanks also to Stacey's suggestion as I casted on for a scarf this weekend.  (have you seen her puppies btw!!) There's nothing better than Grumperina's Shifting Sands and Malabrigo to make one fall in love with knitting all over again.

At first the color of the Malabrigo threw me - it's a brown pinkish color to which my lovely Boyfriend called "roast beef" but I got over his hunger influenced mind and continued to knit. 

I went this weekend up to a lake in the Adirondacks called Otter Lake.  One of my closest friends has a house there and we decided to go up to enjoy a nice long quiet weekend. I spent a good deal of my weekend sitting lake side with my girlfriends who both re-kindled their knitting skills this weekend.  One is working on a Retro Redux Shrug while the other is working on a simple baby blanket.  I think I got them hooked!

It feels good to see someone get excited about something you get excited about daily!

As for my work, it has calmed down dramatically.  The first two weeks were so hectic I think they made everything else I have to do seem so much more doable.  As much as I really felt like I got my butt kicked I'm happy I had to do it.  The scarf has also been an excellent gateway knit easing me back to work time.  It's the perfect project to accompany me to the many presentations I will start to do at night.

But a sweater is not to far from being started on my needles it's just a matter of which one?

glowing

My  brother is off on his way back to London, but we did have a good time with our mini photo shoot. This was my biggest hope of the Christmas gifts.  Of course the Mothers would love their shawls, but my brother is someone who loves clothes and therefore making him an article of clothing is one huge task.  Move over Prada and Gucci, a sister's scarf has captialized the wardrobe! He happily wore it every time he went out which makes this scarf a huge success.

He indulged me by being my model for all of 5 minutes.  I got to play with a new camera and I think he enjoyed posing for me.

Red Sands

Pattern: Grumperina's Shifting Sands Scarf
Yarn: Sundara Silky Merino DK
Needles: Size 5 Bamboo Circulars

With more than a week to go my brother's scarf is done.  I've decided not to mail it out and hopefully will be able to give it to him when he visits home, perhaps in the new year. I was at my parents house last night when I casted off.   Judging from the look my dad gave the scarf, I think he was slightly hoping that he would be its recipient.  Just another good reason to get more sundara yarn!

I loved this pattern. It kept your attention but at the same time was relaxing. Sundara's yarn is a luxury to knit with.  It is so soft and flew over the needles.  I tried to capture the red as best I could.  The above pic is close.  It's a goregous deep red with hints of lighter shades.  I love the fabric it made with the woven look of all the cables.  I can't say enough about learning how to cable without a cable needle.  I can't even imagine what that would have been like! The time that technique has saved is monumental.

I decided to go with out the fringe.  If I make this again for my dad I might rethink that. But, I now have a full skein of this beautiful red for me! I'm thinking maybe making a cowl or hat.  It's just too luxurious to let sit around.

I promise to get pics of my handsome bro wearing his handsome scarf.  I'm sure he'll happily indulge me with that photoshoot when he visits. With this major christmas knit done I will be moving on to the votives and another scarf (simple garter) for some last minute gifts.

**hey andrew, if you're reading this. please look happily surprised when i give it to you! i hope you like it.. hahaha**

ready. set.

KNIT.

The knitting has begun for Drew's Scarf.  The yarn has been selected (Sundara, you genius).  The pattern carefully chosen (thanks Grumperina!).  Now all that's left is the knit.  I fumbled at first but successfully figured out the magic of knitting cables without a cable needle.  The a-ha moment came when I was two rows in and some minor ripping took place.  But I'm now well on my way with the pattern memorized.

The yarn is luxurious. But you need not hear that from me... we all know Sundara's Yarn is like Godiva Chocolate.  (Chocolate Covered Strawberries, anyone?) It's silky soft and this is the Red I was talking about.  It is a bit more deeper than the picture above represents but has moments of lighter variations which makes it all the more unique.  I am absolutely loving it. 

I did learn yesterday that my dear bro will not be able to fly home for Christmas this year.  A sad fact for me to accept as we've always been together thus far.  So now, with the speed of the Swallowtail in my immediate past I hope to finish this scarf in time to mail it to him.  So that on that wonderful day,  he can put it around his shoulders and know we are there even an ocean away.

***Thank you!! To all of you who have left such wonderful comments about my both Swallowtail and Shetland.  I am beyond delighted!  I even broke into the Double Digits!  I really appreciate all you who read and make me feel accomplished as a knitter.  I cannot be more humbled by this, really! Wow.  Thank you for making me smile.***