Edging, Miles!

It seems like miles and may look like miles, but shortly after starting my 3rd skein, I decided to stretch it out and see what it looks like, and just like a gift, it appears to be enough! (210")  I'm trying not to get my hopes up... and until I pin it to the blanket, I really shouldn't celebrate.

See the rounded end (unblocked) nearest the camera?  More on that later.  I just couldn't figure out a better way without adding an annex to the kitchen.

While waiting to dry, I discovered step 4 in my directions which I skipped... I needed to crochet completely around the outer edge before attaching this edging.  sigh... and it's SO stressful.  It is the least successful (read worst-looking) part of the project.  I don't have the knack for even crochet stitches when I have uneven weft.  I'm going to take a vote tomorrow night at Knit Nite to see if others think it's gift-worthy, or it should remain on my sofa.  Either way, I like it!!  Sisterdale, here I come!

Another step

Horrors!  Crochet!  My least used skill, and therefore the most untrusted.  I have to look up every stitch, and then I'm always pleasantly surprised that I can actually do it--without pain and suffering.  Usually crochet takes me by surprise because I haven't read ahead through the pattern to warn myself, but this time, I knew it was coming.  It's going to be just fine!

Here's the pile of woven blanket.  Pictures in reverse order...

Around we go, and where we stop...

Yes, that is to be expected of a blanket.  The center tree section is finished, and the first braid border is finished...  Not big enough for a "curl up on the sofa" blanket, so I imagine the two (intended) borders will be added.  I like!

Knitting...fuzz and miles

I manage to put my feet up now and then, and I finished a fuzzy little cardigan, which I would call a bolero, except... mohair-bolero?  It's a beauty, and just right for a late summer evening, or air conditioning!

A delicate "Swiss dot" pattern.

Pattern:  Audrey's Cardigan by Andrea Pomerantz from Interweave Knits, Spring 2010

Yarn:  Superior by Filatura Di Crosa Lace / 2 ply
70% Cashmere, 25% Silk, 5% Merino 330 yards / 25 grams

Meanwhile, I have been attracted to a pattern called Yggdrasil, for a blanket.  And finally I bought the yarn.  YAY for July, 35% off DROPS cotton yarns... and my, 1.2 kilos of cotton yarn, oh my!  Daunting, I haven't started yet.  It's a start-in-the-middle square pattern.  All one colour... I can imagine how long this is going to take. And the grumbling in the future.

There are 44 balls of 50 grams.

Pattern:  Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs from Knitting Daily Free Patterns

Dear USA friends, no, I'm not trying to be cute with my British English spelling.  The keyboard I'm borrowing is set up that way and auto-corrects me, and instead of trying to change it, and get in trouble, my Canadian fans will have to translate for you!  LOL 

Blankets for memories

I like baby blankets. The ONE I made for my daughter was really not babyish, but a wool, self woven improvised blanket, that turned out to be just the right size for a baby basket bed.  I tucked my baby in under a little larger than pillow size duvet, and held it in place with my woven blanket.  Toasty!

Twenty six years later, my granddaughter got her own beautifully knitted blanket, knitted by her grandma (farmor).  It's a soft, flexible beauty!

A second blanket was handed down.  It was made by my grandmother for my daughter, and now is part of the nightly ritual for her daughter.  My grandmother meant a lot to my daughter and me, and though she never knew her great great granddaughter, her great great granddaughter cuddles with her every night.  The fabric is very soft, and the kitty is always popular.

The kitty's back is on the other side.  I'm so glad these blankets are signed!

Celebrating the end of the Monkeys!

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A long Way Around

It's working!

With a total of 8 #7 circulars from across town, borrowing from 4 knitter friends, I'm moving forward.  Last night I thought I would pass out from heat!  This blankie is definitely an outdoor, Norwegian quality winter blanket.  Two layers of 2-stranded knitting: I'm glad it's only 25" x 50".

Thanks to my friends!