I’m trying to figure out what to take along with me for travel projects on my upcoming trip.  I’m pretty sure I’m going to take yarn and a crochet hook for a pair of crocheted socks.  I’ve heard stories of knitting needles in carry-ons being confiscated on trips to Mexico, so better safe than sorry.

I think I’m going to try the Ultimate Crocheted Socks out of some variegated green yarn in my stash.  The yarn artist is Kathy at GypsyKnits.  She’s got some interesting coordinating sock yarn in holiday colorways this season.

leap frog sock yarn by Kathy at GypsyKnits

For actual knitting on the beach, I think I’m going to print the charts for whatif knits Pangea shawl.  With nothing else to do, I think I can finish completely on the beach.  The yarn for that one is from my favorite yarn temptress, Brooke at ThePaintedTiger.

Merino tabby yarn in the Country Roads colorway

Okay,  that’s not true.  No one but my sister, Ninniacrhiel, reads this blog. With only one comment, that’s the only proof of readership I have. (Yeah, I know my other sister, Pookie, occassionally reads, too, and she wouldn’t want yarn, anyway, but still.  She could have commented and then given it as a gift to Ninn.)

A Slice of Heaven and Earth

On the bright side, I don’t have to seed a random number generator to get a number between 1 and 4 to figure out who gets the gift yarn, and I can take it to Ninn when we have coffee this morning.

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It wants to be a liesl. Really. It said so.

It’s a good thing yarn doesn’t go stale because this yarn has been sitting in my stash since about this time last year, when I realized that “potato” is not a shape that looks good in a Cherie Amour.

I’m still debating my next project.  I’m tempted by a sweater using the persephone yarn, but I know that Cherie Amour isn’t that sweater. I went back and looked at all the Cherie Amour projects again and I just don’t have te body confidence some of the larger ladies who’ve made it had.

I’m thinking about swatching up Eiffel and doing a yarn substitution as I think the overall look of the sweater will be better for my figure.  I also think it will be easier to add short shaping in the ribbing top section to accomodate the girls.

Then again, maybe that yarn just wants to be Liesl and doesn’t know it yet.  The yarn is brown with silvery gray brown patches and a soft lavender undertone.  It could could be very pretty as a long sleeved Liesl and I need a new sweater for work.  I’m freezing already.

On the stole front, I’m still torn on which comes first between Muir and Oakwoods.  I’ve got some Woolen Rabbit Laceweight in Morrocan Spice (like this one in a Ravelry Stash), which would make a nice fall colored Muir.  So would the Knit Picks Campfire.  Oakwoods, on the other hand, is calling too, and would be so perfectly seasonal.

The ideas are still bubbling, so I haven’t cast on a darned thing yet.  Cursed indecision, anyway.  If I haven’t narrowed down the pattern for the sweater by tomorrow, I’ll probably cast on Oakwoods next, simply because I’ve figured out both pattern and yarn.

Sarah Blanch is off the needles.  Hopefully, I’ll get to block it tomorrow and take some blocking shots of it.  There aren’t terribly many of this shawl on Ravelry, and it’s a shame because it’s a very pretty and easy pattern.  The main complaint is that the shawl is knitted side to side instead of up and down, so the pattern repeats are extremely long.

My biggest problem now is trying to decide what to make next.  I have several options, so it’s just a matter of deciding what I want to do next.  I’d like either something more challenging to knit thatn Sarah Blanch, or I’d like something quicker to complete.

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Pattern: Foliage by Emilee Mooney (knitty.com = free)
Yarn: Goblin Flower Homespun by Collette at the Lazy Perry Ranch (snatched from Ninniachriel’s stash)
Needles: US7 / 4.5 mm
Modifications: None

Yes, I loved this yarn enough that I snatched the only remaining skein of it in existance from my sister and made myself a hat to go with my mitts and neckie.

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Isn't this a great button and button band?

I made Ysolda’s Verity in Paton’s Classic Merino Wool.  My friend Amy K. “stole” it before I could get a better picture because I didn’t want to take the classic “mirror picture” and didn’t have any way to model it’s goodness.

Now I’m going to have to knit another for myself.  This time, though, I have a plan to prevent future “theft before picture” fiascos.  I call her Vera.

Mostly,  I’ve been trying to get my migraines under control.  I’m now seeing a neurologist and she believes things are pretty serious.  Given the recent study that shows migraines can cause brain damage, the number of migraine episodes I’ve been having a week and my current condition, I agree with her sense of urgency for getting things back under control.

I’ve been really dilligent about following my care instructions and educating myself about the recent breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of migraine. I’ve been getting out away from my desk at work twice a day for breaks and at lunch.  I’ve even been taking my meds dutifully.  Usually, I’m not so good at that.

She said to take it easy and do things I find relaxing and refreshing.  I’ve been doing a little knitting, and not much of anything else.

Sarah Blanch Shawl in Feather

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Pattern: Slip on Down by Anne Campbell (free)
Yarn: Top -  Brown Sheep Prairie Silks (discontinued) in Krona Coffee held with three strands of Crystal Palace Yarns Kid Merino in Espresso
Brim - Patons Classic Wool Merino in natural held doubled.

Needles: Top - US 11 / 8.0 mm
Brim - US 10½ / 6.5 mm

Modifications: Ran out of yarn before it was long enough, so I added a contrasting fold up brim in k3 p1 ribbing.

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Hat Pattern: Stirling Cloche
Source: 101 One Skein Wonders
Yarn: Magic Handspun from Enchanted Knoll Farm.
Needles: 6 mm (US 10)
Modifications: Used the directions for the longer version available on Ravelry.  Felted to fit a 22 inch head.

Clutch Pattern: None
Yarn: Magic Handspun from Enchanted Knoll Farm.
Needles: 6 mm (US 10)
Notes: it’s just a rectangle of seed stitch folded in thirds and felted to be a clutch purse.

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