Road Trip

Saturday was a day for being on the road. A last minute yarn and crochet workshop in Lansing at Threadbear, a store I've been meaning to get to but always put it on the back burner. Coggie, a member from my knitting group was going and posted that she had room for passengers and even though I was tempted, I hesitated because it was my scrapbooking group's day to get together and crop. Unfortunately no one could make it, so I emailed Coggie and went along.

The classes were more about crochet than knitting, but held valuable information. The first class was held by the editor of interweave Crochet magazine. She brought all the crochet garments that are being featured in the fall issue of the magazine and it was nice to see these works in person and feel and the yarn and see the stitches up close. The second class was done by the person who does Knitting Daily TV... a show on PBS that talks about knit and crochet. Her focus was on how to alter patterns according to your own personal measurements.

There was time for shopping and I did give it my best to make a purchase, but without a project in mind, it was a bit mind boggling just to go through bin after bin of yarn after yarn not knowing what to get or how much to buy. Besides.... I've got more than enough yarn in my stash at home and more than enough projects to get on the needles.

On the needles.......

A couple of projects going on now.. first... a sweater for me using Noro Silk Garden. The bottom is done on circulars with cabling all the way around and then the top will be done in pieces and attached. I love the colors of the Silk Garden, and the pattern I'm using, but not sure if it will be too heavy. Have put this on hold for a while though as I start to work on Christmas projects.





Second..... with the new Therapi yarn, making a braided wrap for my sister. The yarn is very pretty, has a nice hand and a nice sheen, but it's not the best to work with as it splits easily and with each skein I use the yarn has been cut and knotted back together. The pattern called for dividing up the stitches onto holders and knitting each section separately before braiding, but I found it easier to add yarn and knit the hold thing at once, that way I know they will be the same length.




Third.... just off the needles, or rather crochet hook is a square for a baby blanket. My knitting group is putting this together for a fellow member. Each square is 12x12 and will be assembled afterward... color and style are our own and I added flowers to make it pretty.

Last weekend we took a road trip to Toronto and not wanting to take a big project to work on, but something that didn't take a lot of thought or complex patterning, so I grabbed some ribbon yarn I've had in my stash for a while and a couple of size 15 needles and worked and finished this scarf in the car and hotel room over 3 days. It was first experience using a drop stitch and I made the pattern up as I went along. I did stop to write it down just in case I wanted to do this again. Once home, I added some beads on the fringe... I think it needs more though. This may become a gift, or it may stay in my closet... I'm not sure, but I like it.

As far as other projects.... I'm still working on my sweater with the Noro Silk Garden, and a pair baby socks to go with the baby sweater. I also picked up some more yarn during our trip to Milwaukee this weekend for some potential Christmas gifts.