Monday, December 24, 2007

All set to go!


You know how, the Monday before a holiday, you figure there's probably going to be nothing at all in the mailbox. Or at the very least, nothing really NICE in the mailbox? Well, that didn't happen here! I got my yarn in my mailbox today! It's beautiful, and unbelievably soft. It's Lisa Souza's "South Pacific"colorway in superfine merino fingering weight. So, hopefully the colors and lace pattern will be a compliment to one another. I guess we shall soon find out!

Cathi in California (or "EllyMae" in blogland)

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Finished!


Finished the last cast-off stitch a few minutes ago. I'll block it tomorrow and try to have photos up on Monday. I've really enjoyed working on this pattern. The charts are so very well written and easy to follow, that it has really been a fun knit. Thank you, Jae! The work you put into this design is most definitely appreciated.
(Edited 12/23 to add blocking photo.)

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Yarn is on its way!

I ordered some Zephyr lace weight at Ailsa's suggestion, and Meghan from Yarns Online has emailed to say that it has arrived! Whilst I doubt that it will arrive for Xmas it will probably arrive in time to cast on for the new year, so here's to a peacock-y 2008!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Hi

Hi and thanks for letting me join I am Agusta in Iceland aka StashDiva. I will not start this beauty until after the new year but I have the yarn ready, specially dyed from the Yarn Chef and boy am I happy with it. Actually I think that this beautiful pattern would look good in any color and yarn so if all goes well I might knit another one. But at least here is a picture of the yarn I am using, the picture does not do this yarn a justice as I am a really lousy photographer, it has a lot of very subtle color variation that don't show up too well.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Near Tragedy Averted!

Last night I finished row 179 — one chart and eight rows to go. I have not been using lifelines. Pattern is a breeze, and I've been counting on the purl rows to be sure I haven't messed up any yarn overs.

Long story short — while moving stuff around in my office after lunch, I managed to pull the circular part way out. Like, 50 stitches worth. And the yarn pulled out back to the needle tip. Leaving all of those lovely YOs hanging loose. I grabbed a 2 mm circular and started picking up stitches — very carefully. I finally managed to get everything back on the needle and the dropped stitches picked up. Started to knit row 180 and stopped. I ran a lifeline. I am now prepared, just in case I do something this stupid again.

Monday, December 10, 2007

one skein - row 80


one skein - row 80
Originally uploaded by Clarica
I'm doing mine up in Knit Picks Palette (color rainforest heather), and have just finished row 80, with just a dangle of thread from my first skein (231 yds) left to go. I had a horrible time this row, as I had to stop in the middle and tink back to row 76 so I could get 78 right in one spot, so I'd have the right number of stitches there. Nightmare!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Finally


I've been hanging out to start knitting this peacock and finally managed to get started a couple of nights ago. Its a lovely pattern to knit and I'm now halfway though Chart B.

Monday, December 3, 2007

A Chart and a Half


I love working on this pattern with this yarn. I wish I had more time for this project. Christmas knitting is nagging though. Here is my progress so far.

Ah for more time.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Plodding along

Well I'm half way through Chart B. Frogged a few times but now on track. Ailsa checked it for me at our Snb found a mistake wayyyyy back that I'd corrected????? don't know how. So i'm off again, it's so good to have the "best" as a teacher, guide and helper. Ailsas' love of lace really shows, she seems at peace while knitting incredable patterns. Sorry no pics yet have to learn how to do that, very new to all this.
I put in a life line today as Ailsa suggested, I'm more confident now if I boo boo. Now I just have to find my pattern it's lost in my car somewhere, I know it's there, it must be hidding.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

An ostentation of peacocks.





So delighted to see so many posts on this blog - keep up the great work people! I can see an ostentation of peacocks coming this way soon!

In the meantime, check out my pictures, blogger willing.


(Impossible to photograph colour corrrectly without filter/photoshop/skills beyond my abilities. It isn't really that bright. No need for sunglasses at all!)


Project Specifications:

Laceweight version in Jaggerspun Zephyr, colour Fuschia.

Blocks to roughly the same size as the pattern suggests.

Approx 1200 yds - I'll weight it if I can find my scales.

Needle size 3.25mm

Now I have finished this, I can comment about what I suspected all along, but wasn't sure of saying without evidence.

It isn't that much smaller (lengthwise) in laceweight. It is a bit smaller in the span of it, but the length, much the same.

It's more open, and lighter and has less of the substance of the sport weight one, but doesn't lose the textural quality of the quills.

Two thumbs up!