Venezia - still!

So Venezia has not been forgotten. She's been there, in the background, patiently awaiting her turn.

And this week, the Fair Isle bug bit again in a big way and I powered through finishing the first sleeve.

I don't know about anyone else, but once I hit those steeks, and the decreases start, I seem to fly through the top of the sleeve. So it's all going well, and I started sleeve numero deux.

Disaster.

Doesn't look very disastrous, does it? See that little tail of pink yarn? That's all I have left of that shade. That's it. Not enough to do another row, let alone another sleeve.

Bummer. Another ball has been ordered, but seeing as it's coming from the Shetland Islands, it's going to take a week. I bet I lose my mojo before it arrives!

In other yarn-y news, the most recent Needlefood sock club package arrived last week!

Yumminess! And the theme of "Picnic in the Rain" is so perfect.

Yarn, a lovely little bag filled with lace knitting essentials, and chocolate and cappuccino. Michelle knows the way to my heart!

Gail!

So I have another finished project to show you all

Gail (Nightsongs) is done! A nice quick knit, even considering that I feel as if I hardly ever get time to knit any more.

Specs:
Pattern: Gail (Nightsongs) by Jane Araujo (Free Ravelry download)
Yarn: Yarndaze Watercolours (70% wool/30% seacell) in Lilac purchased from Woolgirl
Needles: 4mm Knitpicks Harmony Circular
Mods: I didn't have quite enough yarn, so I ended up only doing 6 repeats instead of 7. Other than that, I did exactly what the pattern says.
I know some people have had difficulties with the charts and stuff, and I agree that the chart isn't really easy to read. I went through some of the projects on Ravelry and read some of the tips people mentioned, and that helped a lot.

It really was a great knit, and I can definitely see myself knitting it again.

In other news, it's been hot. I know some people would disagree, but I think it's even been to hot to knit.
In the late afternoons, Twinkie has taken to the only dirt patch in the yard, where it's a little cooler.

And there she melts!

A new favourite!

I think I have a new favourite yarn!

I cast on the Lacy Kerchief Scarf (rav link) in Knitabulous fiftyfifty, and I'm in love. Fingering weight, 50% each wool and silk, and 100% divine. I can't believe it's taken me this long to try this yarn out.

Coming along beautifully - it's a pity it's too hot to even consider wearing it for at least a few months.

So hot, in fact, that Twinkie has taken to her throne room.

Hopeful!

So lately, 90% of my knitting time has been focused on Gail.

And I'm a little worried. I've used Rose-Kim Knits shawl progress calculator, I worked out how much of the shawl I've done, then I weighed my yarn.

And I definitely don't have enough yarn to do the full seven repeats. Not a huge problem, I'll just do the six repeats and then finish with the edging pattern.

But I'm worried it's going to be small.

Like, really small! It's a bit squished up right now, and blocking will help it grow at least a little bit, so I'm hopeful all will be well.

And I'm in somewhat of a hurry, because I got this yesterday.

Yummy, squishy, gorgeous Knitabulous Fiftyfifty (wool/silk). This wants to be a Lacy Kerchief Scarf. Like, now. Despite the 30C+ weather.

Cap shawl? What cap shawl??

And for Janet, Twinkie got a summer grooming today. She hates being groomed. We need to chase her, catch her and flop her on her back to bliss her out so that it can be done.

And if you get her in exactly the right position, she looks like a dog playing dead.

(No bunnies were hurt in this process. Except maybe their dignity!)

Look! Something's finished!

My October socks are finished, and only a day late. (Started October 1, finished November 1)

Specs:
Pattern: Mingus by CookieA
Yarn: Very Berrytini by Yarntini (Obtained in a Rav destash)
Needles: 2.25mm Kollage Square DPNS
Mods: Just the shape of the toe. I like my toe a little more rounded than Cookie's patterns, so I reduce the rows between the decreases. Otherwise, none!

I love the pattern! And the Yarntini yarn is perfect for it - lovely colour, lovely stitch definition. The only problem is that it's not really designed for cankles. It's lovely for anyone with normal sized ankle, but not me. Fortunately, these are destined for someone else's feet.

So I cast on another pair of Cookie's for me.

Twinkle Toes in Socks That Rock Heavyweight, colourway Jasper. Hopefully I'll have no problem getting these done in a month!