Okay, it’s not on a bobbin yet, but it will be the next thing I spin. That’s 4 ounces of Merino in “Pine” from Smoky Mountain Spinnery. Isn’t it great when your family appreciates and supports your hobbies? My sister used to knit, so it’s not totally foreign territory, but it really means a lot that she spent a few minutes on her vacation shopping for something special for me. She also chatted with the shop owner, who is more than willing to support phone orders, just so you know… Thanks, sis!!!
There’s still stuff from the holidays I wanted to share, but time is passing us by, and I’m really delighted with my latest finished object.
Redwood Whip
Pattern: Fresco Basket Whip Cowl is free in Classic Elite’s newsletter. It’s a lovely little pattern, but it does require some counting, whether you read the chart or use the written directions. (Kudos to designer and Classic Elite. I can read charts, but prefer to start with written directions and then switch to the charts once I have the hang of it, so I’m always delighted when I see both options.) I actually followed the pattern as written, aside from using a different weight of yarn and a larger needle.
Yarn: It was a swap gift from Darcy. Depending on the light, the yarn is browner than that. I hope the subtle shifts in the color shows up on your monitor, regardless of how accurate the hue is. Anyhoo, the yarn is Malabrigo Silky Merino, in the redwood bark colorway. (More kudos to the folks at Malabrigo. You know I like a named colorway.)
I can’t stop writing about this yarn. Must.Have.More. It didn’t pill/fuzz/shed the way the other Malabrigos have while knitting, so I’m hoping that it will wear well too.
That’s unblocked, by the way. The pattern page on Ravelry shows a gentle “point” on the edges, but I was too eager to wear this baby for blocking, even steam blocking. I just gave it a tug or ten to make it long and lean, and then wore it yesterday morning for several hours.
Needles: Susan Bates #8 circs, 29 inches. While the pattern called for sport weight and #7s, I went with this luscious DK weight and #8s. I couldn’t be happier. No, these aren’t my favorite needles, but with the color of yarn, I didn’t want to use my Knitpick Options, especially not with the Harmony tips, which were the #8s I had ready for use. (The color of KP’s cord is too similar, as are the Harmony wood tips.)
Verdict: Yeah, the edges roll a bit since I didn’t block it, but who cares?! It feels like warm silk (duh?) on, and it doesn’t seem to make my hair all fly-away. What else matters?! I can see myself making more of these, but the drawback is that my stash is lacking in both sport and/or DK weight yarns, AND in semi-solids, which I think this pattern likes best. It is my first wimple-style cowl, and it was a huge success in that respect.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention there’s a KAL for this project on Ravelry. Some have noted that the pattern as written – no yarn or needle substitutions – leaves the neck exposed in the back if one pulls it up as a wimple, but an extra repeat or making the last repeat a full repeat (rather than the half as written) should fix that problem.
Aren’t they beautiful girls?! Sissy is such a great model too, with that long, lean neck of hers. I spent much of the weekend on the sofa with those sweeties. We also went out to celebrate a trio of birthdays Saturday night, and that was about it. (If I was just a smidge more immature, I could point out that my sister has set a dangerous precident of giving ME a gift at someone else’s party. Of course, I also FINALLY got to give her husband the last of his Christmas presents from us, as the USPS finally saw fit to deliver said item…)
I also finished a book and started another. While I enjoy your Goodreads that show up in my inbox, I’ve switched to I’m Reading on Facebook. It’s not as fancy, but it’s easier for me to remember to use it. Feel free to add me if you’re using the same application.
What’s ahead for your week? We’ll skim right over the frozen tundra woes and I’ll note that I hope to have that book review for you, a spinning FO, and a Sissy food report. Here’s what I need from you… I know I have a diverse group of readers, and I love that! I’m contemplating tracking Sissy’s serious food allergies via her own blog (I know, right?!), and I need to know if anyone will bother to read my blog if I do that how many of you care about her digestive woes?
I already bore some of you with my spinning chatter, but I do realize there are some of you who do care and are curious about Sissy’s journey to true health. Selfishly, I do want to record our process, for a variety of reasons, but mostly, just because it is going to be a very long process.
Sis hates to leave the farm as much as the rest of us
Just to clarify a bit, we’ve FINALLY found a vet who specializes in nutrition and she shares my conviction that Sissy’s underlying problem is a series of food allergies. Until I know who/how many want(s) what information, I won’t toss out details, some of which aren’t really fit for reading while you eat or sip, unless you have a cast-iron stomach. In case you can’t tell, I’m leaning towards giving the DIVA her own blog.
Whew! Lunch is here and if your eyes haven’t glazed over yet, bless you!
And yes, I’m wearing the cowl today (Thursday). It’s cold outside, my office at work is being painted and I’m a little restless when I don’t have a spot to call my own. It’s going to be spiffy when it’s all done, but transition is painful.
It seems so much more appropriate to write a 
Project: 
Chan Knits 