June 26, 2007
Let's talk about the Shetland Shawl. It's been a while, hasn't it?
It's not been neglected, though.
See that? The centre square is finally approaching completion. Just 10 rows to go. Can I get a hip hooray!?!
Then I get to make another border. And another, and then another. But it's coming along nicely.
I got mail today. I love mail days!
After dithering for ages, I finally succumbed and placed an order with The Loopy Ewe. Now I don't know why I waited so long.
My first order was reasonably modest, just to test out the service.
But a nice one, nonetheless. 2 skeins of Louet Gems Merino Fingering weight in Eggplant. This is for the gorgeous Cookie A Twisted Flower sock pattern. To pad out the order a bit, I ordered some Stitch Keepers and a Loopy Ewe "Knit Notes for Socks" book.
This book is so cool. Inside there are pages where you can list details for your favourite sock yarns, your favourite sock patterns, details of your sock recipients, favourite yarn stores and blogs and podcasts. I love it!
And as if all that weren't enough, there was a little bonus gift in the package.
A little set of needle inventory cards, and some yarn samples.
Is that awesome service or what? And in addition to all that, the postage rates were really good. That's a big factor for me when I'm deciding whether to order from an international vendor. If you're ordering from Australia, the website automatically charges you $US16 for shipping, but if the actual rate is less than that, Sheri only charges you actual shipping.
And on top of that, if your postage works out more expensive, they still only charge you $US16.
Bargain!! I'm seriously thinking about starting these socks, but I'm going to finish something else first.
Well, I'll try!
It's raining again. Twinkie is a little ticked at the weather lately. She's not been able to go outside as much as she'd like. This morning she decided she was going out, bad weather or not.
She also decided that she wanted to relax and have a lie down outside. In the mud. That brown streak down her front?
Mud.
Comments
i love loopy ewe! their service is the best - in addition to the little extra goodies, i love the handwritten notes and the care they take in packaging the order. they are one of the few vendors that actually treat hawaii as part of the united states when it comes to shipping....i hope the weather clears for twinkie - does she live in your house? (i know she's housebroken)
Posted by: debbie at June 26, 2007 08:31 PMyour shawl is going to be stunning. Thanks for the shopping review I always like to know about places to order stuff from!
Posted by: Hope at June 26, 2007 09:21 PMthanks for the heads up for the looy ewe!
Posted by: Nat at June 26, 2007 09:28 PMThat's totally worth a big hip hooray - you are making such great progress - you are a gun shawl knitter!
I love that Cookie pattern - I totally have to make it one day!! I keep looking at the Loopy Ewe website but haven't made the plunge yet...but no doubt it will happen soon...(gleeful giggle!!)
That's the second good Loopy Ewe review I have read. Huzzah for the Shawl!!!! It is looking great!!
That Twinkie is a rascal, but I think you can be glad she doesn't roll in 'you don't want to know what' like Peri does!!!
Impressive progress on that shawl!! Those socks will be gorgeous.
Posted by: becky c, at June 26, 2007 11:09 PMBeautiful shawl, and Twinkie is too cute!
Posted by: Miss T at June 26, 2007 11:48 PMWow! The shawl and the bunny are both gorgeous!
Posted by: Lara at June 27, 2007 12:29 AMI'm sorry for the belated post but please accept my sympathies on the loss of your grandmother. I am close to mine so I know that it must be a very difficult loss.
Your Roxie is quite the girl! Does Em have outfits planned for her yet? Will you be making two of each costume from now on?
Poor Twinkie put her paws down about going outside, and now she's going to have to have a bath. Yikes.
Your shawl is beautiful!
Posted by: Debby at June 27, 2007 05:03 AMHip, Hip Hooray, the shawl looks great. It is really coming along. I joined the Mystery Stole 3 and still have plans to start the other beaded stole I want to make, I just need more time.
Twinkie looks adorable, mud and all.
Posted by: Suzanne at June 27, 2007 10:59 AMHip, hip, hooray - the shawl is coming along beautifully! Great job. I have also started on a rectangular shawl (Alpine scarf)from Victorian Lace.
Posted by: Ann at June 27, 2007 11:45 AMThat shawl is looking awesome. You have much more patience than me for lace. I really enjoyed the shawl I just knit but I think I would only do another project of a similar size. Thanks for the info on the Twisted Ewe also. I like finding US vendors that have reasonable shipping. I generally order through the Knitting Zone over there as there shipping is very reasonable, now I have another to add!
Posted by: Natalie at June 27, 2007 12:05 PMUh-oh - Loopy Ewe. Not Twisted. Oops.
Posted by: Natalie at June 27, 2007 12:06 PMI couldn't use restraint with that beautiful yarn in the house. I'd have to cast aside all other projects and get that yarn on the needles.
Posted by: Diane at June 27, 2007 03:00 PMHip hooray! Twinkie is even adorable when she's got mud on her.
Posted by: Restless Knitter at June 27, 2007 03:53 PMso sorry to hear about your grandma, I find funerals make me feel more uplifted and happy afterwards.
I've just seen that photo of you, boy you've lost weight, lucky you, wishing I'd stuck at ww a bit longer
btw the shawl looks stunning and I need a needle inventory...
Corrie:)
Posted by: corrie at June 27, 2007 09:08 PMI love my Loopy Ewe Sock book -- it's got all my important sock info in it. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost it!
I also love Sheri. Her service is top-notch!
Posted by: Wendy at June 27, 2007 10:45 PMHi Donna
Belated condolences to you. My husband's Grandma also passed away last week and we were attended her funeral yesterday. She also had lost her memory and was blind as well, so hoping they are both at peace now. I can't image the patience to do such a beautiful shawl
Posted by: Rachel at June 27, 2007 10:59 PMOMG... You have these gorgeous photos of knitterly things, then you throw Twinkie in to the mix. Hilarious!
=:8
You still knit lace faster than anyone around. It's looking great!
Posted by: Wool Winder at June 28, 2007 03:24 PMThe Shetland Shawl is looking great. Hip, hip hurrah!
Thanks for the info about the Loopy Ewe - I think I just spent too much time looking at their website! :-)
I love the eggplant, but I also love Zen String Sport "Purple People Eater". I'm so tempted and the Australian dollar is so strong...
i think i might be that last person in blogland to order from the loopy ewe...guess i should remedy that with a little stash enhancement, eh?
Posted by: amanda at June 29, 2007 07:49 AMI've been eyeing off the Cookie A socks myself - is the pattern nice and complicated? (My favourite kind!) I think they'll look perfect in the eggplant. A beautiful colour for such a beautiful pattern.
Posted by: Andrea at June 29, 2007 11:33 AMYou are such a good knitting enabler,
I've been looking at The Loopy Ewe
for quite a while now
it must be time to order!!
Sheri at the Loopy Ewe is great. I ordered a few things from her awhile ago and the service was great.
Posted by: Meaghan at July 1, 2007 05:28 PMThat is seriously the cutest bunny I've ever seen.
Posted by: Daphne at July 3, 2007 03:13 PM
Hip hip hurray! Nice looking Shetland. I knit one a couple years ago and it was a lot of fun.
Posted by: Sheila at June 26, 2007 07:32 PM