Purple Turtle Tracks

 Oh, I love this pattern.  I've made it a few times before. The pattern for these Emilee Dee Mitts can be found on Ravelry; the link is HERE.  The lace pattern is called "Turtle Tracks".  It looks like cables but there are none.  The design is made from yarn overs, k2tog's and ssk's. 

 I used Berroco Comfort DK yarn in a dark purple; however, in these photos, the yarn looks rather blue, doesn't it!? Funny how that works!  If you've never made mitts before, and you like the look of these mitts, I really think you'll enjoy this project.  This was the first mitt pattern I ever followed and I keep coming back to make more. 

This is my 4th pair of fingerless mitts for a charity called "Mitts of Steel" for dialysis patients who suffer from cold hands.  I think I might need to make a pair for me since I like them so much.  I had the mitts on as I was taking pictures and I noticed how nice it was to have my fingers free so I could adjust my camera easily. 

Frustration... and Another Clapotis

I started a cute little project last weekend... "Le Weekend Shawlette"... so named because you could start it on a Friday evening and finish by Sunday.

I was cruising along. I finished the lace border several days ago and, on Thursday, I proceeded to the short row shaping so the straight lace border would magically morph into a crescent shaped shawl.

  After SEVERAL short rows, it decided to check my work to see if I had essentially the same number of stitches to the right and to the left of the short row shaping... I did NOT!  The short rows were shifted to the right... what happened!?

I went back to the pattern and realized I missed about six rows, with oodles of decreases, which should have been completed BETWEEN the lace border and the short row shaping.  I did not want to unknit stitch by stitch (lazy me!) so I just started ripping back.  UNFORTUNATELY, there weren't ANY rows of stockinette between the short rows and lace, and as I ripped back... I started to lose the lace pattern made up of oodles of yarn overs, ssks, ktogs, and S2KP's.  I made several desperate attempts to rip back to a row where I could recapture the 300 plus stitches. Eventually, I just gave up. 

Over 6,000 stitches... gone.

For some reason... I just did not have the heart to cast on the same "Le Weekend Shawlette" again. 

Meet Clapotis #2... she's looking a little crumpled at the moment, but I am looking forward to wearing this scarf.  I seriously did not see myself making another Clapotis EVER especially after I became so bored with Clapotis #1 just a few short weeks ago.  But there is something so appealing about the ingenious "fabric" one creates when knitting this project.  I am hoping some of the crumpliness will be resolved in blocking.  Clapotis #2 will be much smaller than Clapotis #1

(which reminds me.... I really need to post some photos of Clapotis #1).

Mystery KAL is no longer a MYSTERY

Should you ever have the opportunity to participate in a Knit Along (KAL)... or better yet...
a Mystery KAL... I highly recommend going for it!

Around New Years, I learned about this Mystery KAL on a Ravelry group called "Susanna IC" which is pretty much a fan club for folks who drool over love to make the patterns designed by by Susanna IC.  She has beautiful designs.  Basically we were told how much yarn we would need, how many beads we would need, what size needles we would need, and in the end...we would have a crescent-shaped shawl. The pattern was given out in the form of "clues"; we received a total of six clues over the course of six weeks.  The end result is pictured above. 

I love my completed shawl.  I loved the mystery of not knowing what the shawl would look like in end. I loved seeing the shawls being knit by others in the group... the yarn choices, the beads, the variations.  I must confesss the pattern called for nupps.  Nupps are are much like bobbles.  To make a five stich nupp, for example, you k1,yo,k1,yo,k1 in one stich (from one stitch you create five stitches). Then on the next row, you purl those five stitches together. Nupps are known to be tricky, especially the part where you purl the five stitches together. I chickened out. I put beads in the place of nupps.  I am tempted to cast on another mystery KAL right away, but next time with nupps. 

If you are interested in this project, you can find the pattern on Ravelry by clicking HERE.  The project can be made in lace yarn, fingering or sock yarn, or worsted weight yarn.  Since I participated in the KAL, I got the pattern for free.  Many of Susanna IC's patterns are free, but there are several I am tempted to purchase and cast on... right away!

Clapotis Continues



Clapotis

Since I am caught up on my Susanna IC Mystery Knit Along (KAL) shawl with beads, I am spending a lot of time working on my Clapotis (clap-oh-TEE).  I just barely started on my second hank of yarn so it looks as if I can make this wrap rather longer than the patter calls for if I so choose.  I am still working on the straight rows (where the width of the project remains the same) but I am just about at the point where the pattern calls for the decrease rows.  I think I will continue straight for just a bit longer to make a nice generous sized wrap. 

I can see why this pattern is so very popular on Ravelry. The pattern is sure genious...so clever!  It's easy knitting but interesting enough to keep it fun and keep your brain working.  Some folks consider knitting rhythmic or medative.  I think this pattern fits that description. 

Mystery KAL Continues

Mystery Knit Along crescent shaped shawl with beads
Designed by Susanna IC

I am having a fun time with my Mystery Shawl Knit Along with the "Susanna IC" Ravelry group.
I am now done with Clue #5; the final clue is expected to be out this weekend.  I am little boggled about how to block out the points. Folks on the Ravelry group are blocking their projects in various ways and taking photos.  I imagine this time next week, I'll be wearing this lovely wrap. I am looking forward to it!

WIP's (Works In Progress)

Aside from working on my entrelac scarf this week, I wanted to show you some other WIP's (works in progress). 



My first Mystery KAL. 
The designer, Susanna IC, tells us how much yarn we need and how many beads we need. 
She is sending us a few rows at at time in the form of "Clues". 
This is Clue #1 through Clue #3 knit up.
I just received Clue #4 today. 
All I know is that I will end up with a crescent shaped shawl in the end.
This is yarn from the Sock Summit 2011 and I am making this project to go with my "little black dress" to wear to a special concert in April 2012.  More about that another day!




Silky Soft Socks
Pattern link HERE.
Using Lion Brand Sock Ease yarn in "Cotton Candy" colorway.




Bamboo Socks
Pattern link HERE. 
Using Shoppel-Wool Zauberball yarn in a colorway called "Durch die Blumen"
Thanks to many years of studying German,
I know that means "Through the Flowers" (clever girl that I am)!
But when I saw this yarn I saw "watermelon".  There is green in there, trust me;
you just can't see it yet!  I am purposely making the socks NOT matched... just for fun.



Entrelac

While in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, a few years back on vacation... I bought some expensive Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn on an impulse.  I paid nearly $20.00 per skein and I bought two skeins. Eeeee-GADS!  That's some expensive souvenir yarn!  One of my knitting goals for 2012 is to use this yarn.


With this yarn...
I considered making a Clapotis...
I considered making a Hemlock Ring Doily Throw...
But this yarn WANTS to be entrelac.




 I've had a little experience with this design or technique before... a dishcloth, a little bag I made, and a square on my Great American Afghan. After these experiences, I thought I would never make anything entrelac again. It's rather slow going and the backside of the project kind of looks lumpy and bumpy and messy. 


But this yarn wants to be ENTRELAC.


I am surprised I am enjoying this project so much. It's almost addictive. I find my self saying, "Okay, just one more row of squares and I'll put this down!"  But next thing you know, I can't put it down and I have a few more rows of squares (and triangles done).  I am using THIS PATTERN which is free on Ravelry.


My husband and son don't often have much of a reaction to my knitting projects, but my husband always comments that the entrelac projects are especially nice looking.  In fact, I think he likes the entrelac square on the GAA the best.  In my current entrelac project, my husband and son both think the colors look great.  I agree.  Noro yarn is not as soft as you would expect (it's rather scratchy), but the colors are amazing!

Entrelac Square in my Great American Afghan