the Akamai Knitter

So Mom left yesterday for Texas, but I jumped the gun and started the shawl on Wednesday. I didn’t have much time to work on it though.What with her being underfoot and with this being a big Sekrit Project. And no, she doesn’t read this blog. :)

See? Not much done.

So far though, I’m really enjoying the pattern. The arbitrary change from stockinette to garter is so much fun.

I’m not really sure I’m digging the variegation though.

There’s some strange pooling going on.

/sigh

I do like the texture though.

I don’t think Mom will mind the pooling. At least I hope she won’t.

Oof.

Sammy has no opinion on pooling or any other knitting related matter and wishes to be left alone.

I’m off to run errands now. Yay me.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Even though I told my Joy no presents when I invited her to my small birthday dinner, she gave me this.

It’s Artyarns Ultramerino 4, Color 144 and I plan on making the Simple Yet Effective Shawl with it. My hopes is to knit this up and have it blocked by next week Thursday.

Why?

Because my mother will be out of town for a week. This way I can have a secret present for her on Christmas day. This is the goal.

I’m not sure how realistic it is.

Nothing like a little self-confidence, eh?

Continuing on with the birthday fun, I was thoroughly spoiled by our Jen.

Does she know me or does she know me? I could not stop squealing as I unwrapped everything.

She knows I can never have enough bags. The bag is from Slipped Stitch Studios. She knows I collect fantasy art cards.  The  cards are from Susan Rodio Art.  She knows I have a Hello Kitty thing.

As for the yarn? Take a closer look.

Jen calls it “Black Opal.” Isn’t that awesome? But there’s a small story behind the yarn.

I’ve been wanting to knit Irtfa’a for ages. Only I had a specific yarn in mind. So I custom ordered some from Jen. What she did was hand paint some Jaggerspun Zephyr Merino/Silk to my specifications. Only she didn’t let me pay for it.

Now I can’t wait to start the shawl.

Only I have that Christmas present to knit.

And don’t forget the Damson, the Lyra, or the Oyster Bay Shawl someone *cough*megan*cough*kindly keeps reminding me off.

Then there’s jewelry to be made and cross-stitching to be done.  And I musn’t neglect the spinning wheels even though I have.

Oh and the other presents. There are other presents that need to be made.

Yeah.

I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.

Remember when I used to show you all finished things? Ha. Haha. Ha.

Happy Wednesday folks!

Just so you know, I haven’t stopped cross-stitching.

So Carrie K., as per your request, the Lanarte Night Butterfly.

Also, the Lizzie Kate Double Flip “Scroll”.

If you looked at the original pattern, you might have noticed that I’m not following the way they ordered the words. I also decided to change up some of the colors.

Which ones? Stay tuned and find out. :P

Also, there are bracelets.

Some of them are already up in the shop! The others will soon follow.

Now please excuse me while I have a meltdown over the impending holiday season. You may think it’s too soon for one, but it’s going to sneak up on us like you wouldn’t believe.

I’m finally feeling about 90% back to normal. That flu really kicked my ass. I’ve been sick for the past three weeks! Hopefully that’s all behind me and I can just move forward.

All I could really do while I was sick was work on the Damson.

You see all those stitch markers? You see them? I used them to count stitches. And you know what? The stitch count was completely off. Completely. Utterly. Totally. Irreparably. Off.

So.

I frogged that sucker.

I figured it’s only garter stitch and it’s a small shawl. It shouldn’t take me too long to get back to speed.

At least that’s the optimistic point of view.

Another bright spot is the lovely birthday package that came in the mail this week from Cookie.

The pink in the background is the underside of the best part of the package.

Is that not the cutest box ever? I coveted that box back when she used it as a photo prop way back during the Tour de Fleece. She has an amazing memory, our Cookie. Whereas I have the most dismal memory ever since she told me she’d get one for me for my birthday and I completely forgot.

At least it made for a lovely surprise. :)

The yarn in the package is some yummy Pagewood Farms Hand Dyed Sock Yarn in Denim. It’s a Merino Superwash/Bamboo/Nylon blend.

It’s so soft and blue. I love me my blue. I think it might make a pretty Swallowtail Shawl.

You know what else was really great about the package? The birthday card. This card has got to be the best birthday card ever. I adore mermaids. I have a  huge print of a mermaid painting in my bedroom. I also collect mermaid art cards, so this card will probably end up being hung in my room as well.

Isn’t she pretty?

So.

Despite the fact that I’ve had the flu and the fact that I like saying “so” a lot, I’ve had a pretty good week.  I’m on my way back to healthy and I had a great birthday. I’ve never felt more special or loved by friends and family.

So.

Thank you to all of  you out there that took the time to wish me a good one. :)

Have a great weekend!

First off, thanks for all the get well wishes. They’re greatly appreciated. I’m getting a little better every day. :)

Now I should be resting, but I just had to post a progress report. I’m just in love with the way the Damson is knitting up. (Excuse the crappy photos. I’m still sick.)

The yarn is just perfect. The colors are so sublime. The garter stitch is so soothing.

I really can’t remember the last time I even knit garter stitch. For now, it’s the perfect medicine.

As is the little boy Sammy.

Have a great weekend, everyone! I’ll be home resting, knitting and playing Restaurant City on Facebook.

Don’t even get me started on how addicting those games are over there. I blame Megan for this one.