Season's Knittings

Last weekend was a blur of cooking, wrapping, celebrating with my family on Christmas Eve, then getting up Christmas morning to travel several hours to my husband's family home on Lake Erie.  

 

Lots of knitting was accomplished, including work on another version of a Lingonberry Loop cowl scarf in worsted weight, and miles of swatching for the cable cardigan I'm planning. 

I also blocked the cardigan I've been puttering on for the last 3 months.

Our Pomeranian proved herself very much the lap dog and crafting buddy cuddling with my mom as my mom crocheted en route to the celebration.  

After a family gift exchange, I caught my husband, his brother, and my sister-in-law  sneaking off with the cookies as we walked up the street to a friend's house for a large festive gathering.  

It was a nice weekend but I'm glad to be home to take a long winter's nap before diving back into more knitting...

FO's - Misti and Mohair Lace Projects

 

Last weekend, Labor Day weekend, we went on a road trip to my MIL's home on the shores of Lake Erie, Ohio's Great Lake.  We spent the weekend zipping around the area, or just hanging around the house.  It's nice to get away from the regular routine once in a while.

On Monday morning, we got up around dawn and walked out to the beach for some spectacular sunrise photos.  

It's so peaceful in the early morning when no one is around yet, and even the gulls are quiet.

 

The lake was glassy smooth and calm and we walked along with our tea and coffee, enjoying the serenity and yet contemplating our soon return to the hectic, work-a-day world.

Some of the best parts about the trip were I got to visit two yarn shops (which I'll share in my next post) and I was able to finish more knitting projects!  Some of the FO's are blocking but I did manage to get a few photos.

The photo at the top of the post is a lace cowl in Feza Iplik Kid Mohair blend yarn. This yarn is typically mohair-sticky, but makes a pretty and soft lace cowl for a bargain price.  It may not be as luscious as my favorite mohair/ silk blends, but it makes a beautiful project.  I knitted this piece on US 7/ 4.5 mm needles to keep it light and airy. 

I also finally took a few photos of my shawlette in Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Lace.  I loved the colors, which remind me of spring wildflowers - phlox, cranesbill, violets, spring beauties, and dogwoods.  I wanted to keep it fairly simple since the yarn was so colorful, and started with a garter stitch tab and worked down from the neck in a wide triangle silhouette.  

I intended to stay simple with just garter stitch, but the exquisitely soft alpaca begged to be made into something feminine, so after the garter section, I added some simple lace and a small ruffle. I love the silky softness and pretty colors over a plain camisole top for summer and cooler, early fall evenings.  

The yarn, while lovely, is a delicate weight and maddeningly slippery, so wood or bamboo needles are highly recommended!  I knitted this on US 6/ 4mm Knitpicks Harmony circular wood needles, which have a nicely pointed tip, great for lace or tiny yarn.

I have much more to share, but I will save that for next time...