FO Friday: Sarena Cowl

Isn't it beautiful???



I finally finished the Sarena Cashmere Cowl by Tonia Barry...from the new book "101 Wonders" book by Judith Durant. It was a joy to knit...every second was wonderful - the yarn soft, the pattern so easy to memorize and fun to drop stitches, and the overall finished item is extremely warm and comfy to wear. I love it!

DETAILS:

Yarn: Jade Sapphire 4 ply , 100% mongolian cashmere, colorway, Vintage Rose
Needle: Size 6 and 8
Pattern: Sarena Cashmere Cowl by Tonia Barry
Time: 6 days, but that was also not including a day I didn't work on it at all -so 5 days...and just an hour a day.
Ravelry link: Sleepyeyes' Sarena Cowl
Fun Level: A (see above for gushing compliments)

Good news...this weekend, I am leaving with the ManchVegas Knitters (Ravelry link) to go to our annual weekend knitting retreat. This year, we're going to Vermont - we'll be visiting Cabot Creamery, Ben & Jerry's, The Knitting Studio in Montpelier and having dinner at The New England Culinary Institute! So cool! We're taking up the entire Inn in Marshfield...and we can't wait to see the place -they have been extremely nice and accomodating! (will show many pics when I return)

Also, I have some fantastic news concerning one of my newest patterns - which will have to wait (again) until I get back.

Wish us luck on our trip and hope you all have a fun and kni-filled weekend, too!

Off I go!

P.S. I will leave you with an adorable pic of my boys from Halloween. And, as Laurin said..."Man, I wanna eat those cheeks!"



Update on Diet: I am down 2.6 more pounds - so 13 total for 3 weeks! Woo-hoo!!!!

Cowl to Me, Baby!

OH, man! What a nice knit!

Taking a wee break from the Presto Chango (just a day or so, really) to knit something fast and wonderful. A co-worker, Tonia Barry from the Yarn and Fiber Company, where I work, has THREE new designs in the new book, 101 Luxury One-Skein Wonders. And I'm making one of them right now!



It's called the "Sarena Cashmere Cowl" and uses only 1 skein of the Jade Sapphire 4 ply mongolian cashmere. Very, very lovely stuff- soft (though strangely enough not as soft as the Bebe Cotsoy...but I'm in a bit of an obsession with that at the moment, so it's hardly fair) and the colorway is perfect -roses and pinks. My favorite!



I started the cowl last night at knitting group and I'm more than halfway done with it. It's beautifully designed - practical AND luxurious!

I only found one tiny mistake with the pattern in the book -

Round 8 should read, "Round 8: *K1, drop next stitch down 7 rounds, k1, p2, k2, p2, repeat from * across round.

Right now, it has you knitting TWO stitches and then dropping one down, which makes for a bit of a mess since it takes you all the way down to the cast on -which is NOT what you want.

Other than that, I'm loving every minute of it and going to knit Tonia's second design, The Flirty Merino-Silk Scarf" after the Presto Chango is done. This one uses lovely Heather's yarn, Sereknity "Sweet". I've got this yarn in the Mystic Mountain colorway....oooooh. So soft, slightly fuzzy and w-a-r-m!

UPDATE ON DIET

I'm thrilled to say that I've lost another 3 pounds, for a total of 10.4 in two weeks. Still following all my "rules" and being a "good girl", as they say. Crossing my fingers that I will keep my motivation up through the holidays so I can make my first goal of 20 pounds. Wish me luck!

Have a Happy Halloween tomorrow, everyone!

Podcast 12: Lace Race

Good morning, wonderful knitters!

I'm excited to say that I've cast on for the Myrtle Leaf Shawl! The lace cast on wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be...but that Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb is sooo thin!




Here is the button for knitting lace in May (please link back to me)....which can include knitting the Radiance Lace Headband....so grab the pattern, yarn and size 4 needles and start knitting! The Radiance Lace Headband Contest ends May 31, so remember that as well ; )



Also, check the side bar and this post for the Sleepy Eyes Tipsy Sock pattern...download for free....would love to see the socks you knit!

Go to the Sleepy Eyes Etsy Shop and buy the very last skein of Alien Invasion sock yarn....100% superwash merino...beautiful twist and 440 yards of fingering weight dreaminess!

If you liked the music on this podcast, here are the talented artists to look up....

Love = Action with "Waves" and Beatrice Ericsson with "Starting All Over"

WEBSITES to VISIT for LACE:

Knotty Daisy for her gorgeous "Fir Cone Wrap" and progress on a new lace project.

Knit Picks for Options needles, lace patterns, yarns and books.

Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

Shawls and Scarves from the Best of Knitter's Magazine

A Gathering of Lace by Meg Swanson

Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls by Martha Waterman

Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby

YARNS:

Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud

Spunky Eclectic Laceweight

Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb

Rowan Kidsilk Haze

K1C2 Doceur et Soie

LACE PATTERN WEBSITES:

Heart Strings Fiber Arts

Fiber Trends

Knitter's Review Lace Tutorial

Heirloom Knitting Lace

Hope you become inspired to knit some lace this month and I'd LOVE to see your works in progress or finished lace objects!!!

With love, Sleepy Eyes : )