March 21, 2009
Awesome news!
So on Monday, I took a bunch of stuff out to the Castle Hill Show for the knitting competition. I entered six items into six categories. There was the Shetland Shawl, the Magic Carpet Ride, the Puzzle Wrap, my Kitri Socks, Autumn Rose and the Tangled Yoke Cardigan.
I'm not going to the show itself, this weekend is pretty full on with Em's dance stuff, so I thought I'd find out on Monday how I went, when I pick up my entries again.
But the lovely Janette went to the Show yesterday, and brought me some news. It would appear that I won 5 sections. The Puzzle Wrap got a Highly commended in it's section. Yay! But I'm not done.
The Magic Carpet Ride took a Show Champion ribbon, and the Shetland Shawl got Reserve Grand Champion. Colour me stunned. I'm still bouncing in excitement! You can see Janette's Ravelry post here, complete with pictures. Thank you, Janette!
More on Monday when I pick them up!
Let's talk about the current state of the knits, we haven't done that in a while.
The sock category is currently being filled by the Whisper Lace socks in Lang JaWoll. 3/4 done on sock number one.
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Not nearly as hard as they look, but they're fun to knit. I'm knitting them on 2.5mm needles, which is a change for me, I usually use 2mm needles, but it means they're moving along nice and quickly.
The lace category is my Flit n Float scarf, which is rapidly approaching the finish line.
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Once it's done, the lace category is open. I had planned to start Aeolian, my beads have arrived, and the yummy Mama Blue silk laceweight is sitting here flirting with me, but I think I'm going to be doing some sample knitting for a friend. Top Secret type stuff. I think.
And the garment category is being filled by the sparkly, bling-y pain-in-the-butt Shoulder Warmer.
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I'm not even thinking about what I'm going to do when this is done, because at the rate I'm working on it, it'll never be done!
Well, the main body part is nearly done, then I'm in a bit of a quandary. There is very deep ribbing around the edge of the body and the sleeves. I can't decide whether to just do it in the sparkles, or find a plain yarn for it. I'm 99.9% sure that if I do it in the blingy stuff, Em will never wear it, because those sequins are going to itch. So I thought I might do the main part in the bling, and the ribbing in a plain black yarn. But I can't decide what yarn to use. The bling is 100% acrylic, light worsted weight (20sts = 4"). KnitPicks has 3 yarns that might work, Shine worsted, Comfy and Main Line. Of course, they won't ship to Australia, so I'd have to go through the drama of having it shipped to someone in the USA, then forwarded to me, which would give me time to start something else (ha!), or I could just use the bling and get it over with. Unfortunately, the Light Worsted isn't a weight that's made very much in Australia, and I can't think of another alternative.
Maybe I can just put it aside until I think of something else! (On the other hand, listening to Em whine until it's done might also be painful). Decisions, decisions.
Twinkie has made a decision.
I bought a new Easter candle on Thursday, because I couldn't resist the cute. And it smells like chocolate. I showed it to Twinkie.
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She decided that she's not impressed.
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Comments
Congratulations!! That's fantastic news and well deserved too.
Poor Twinkie, why is there a fragrant doppelganger? It's not as if it's from Madame Tussauds!!!
Well done Donna! Great news.
Posted by: Melissa at March 21, 2009 09:07 PMCongratulations on your success at the Show, Donna! Stella effort!! I love the title Reserve Grand Champion, too - sounds so official
Posted by: Kylie at March 22, 2009 08:20 AMFantastic news about the show! I hope the Kitri Socks are worshipped as they deserve.
For Em's shrug, is there a way to cut out the sequins? I know it would add hours to it, but if you cut them out of the yarn you might be able to keep knitting (to get rid of it) until you finish it.
Twinkie is adorable as always - I too own the Dusk Easter bunny in vanilla. Great minds... :)
Posted by: Andrea at March 22, 2009 08:53 AMThat is great! You are a complete inspiration, and this is just further proof of how wonderful your knitting is! Take care
nat
Congratulations!
Posted by: Suzanne at March 22, 2009 09:56 AMCongratulations! That must be such a thrill!
Twinkie is very cute.
Posted by: Michelle at March 22, 2009 10:23 AMCongratulations! I'm more impressed with your awards than Twinkie was with the candle! Good pictures of her!
Posted by: Janet at March 22, 2009 12:41 PMTwinkie most definitely DISAPPROVES of that doppelganger rabbit!!
You are stuch a knitting star!! I think you need to wear each garment/shawl with it's ribbon or whatever permanently attached to it!!
Posted by: Rose Red at March 22, 2009 05:05 PMOh well done! Fancy getting 8 prizes for 6 things - you clever bunny you (sorry Twinkie )
And I'd go with the plain and not bling sleeves
Love Autumn Rose - inspiring!
Congratulations! How exciting - your projects are all so beautiful and its not surprising that they all won.
Twinkie is too cute - but she definitely doesn't look impressed with the candle!
Posted by: Jeanne at March 22, 2009 11:28 PMCongratulations!
I bet the other competitors were a bit miffed that you took the board so to speak!
Posted by: blueadt at March 23, 2009 04:05 AMCongratulations! I am not one bit surprised you won all those awards though! :)
Posted by: Karen at March 23, 2009 06:25 AMWhat great news! I agree with Karen, not surprized at all. Love the Twinkie pictures. Love the colors of the soc & scarf.
Posted by: KSee at March 23, 2009 09:06 AMCongratulations! You deserve all those prizes as you are such a fantastic knitter. Your review of your current projects is a great idea & I do agree that you should use plain black yarn for the bolero's band - what about acrylic? We have them at Big W & Spotlight.
Posted by: Ann at March 23, 2009 10:03 AMFirstly, congratulations!
Have you considered Patons Tasman [an 8ply very soft acrylic] or Zhivago [thicker than Tasman] or the Spotlight version - Zoomy. They are also soft yarns, both acrylic!
Posted by: Lynne at March 29, 2009 01:20 PM
You're awesome!
Posted by: Lara at March 21, 2009 06:52 PM