One By One

Shackle No. 2

Wrapped up the second one:

In addition to the lurex shimmer stitches, I added two rows of beads. It turned out beautifully!

River Update - From this post... a plan is in the works... and it just might be pulled off :)

FO's and Re-Organization

THE GOOD...:

Finished Objects!!

Here are two Shackles before felting

And here is one that is completed!

I made this one for Erika... we exchanged gifts this last Sunday. I ended up embellishing it with the lurex shimmer in pewter and fresh water pearls from here. If you are ever in need of jewelry making supplies or beads, and are in the San Diego area, definitely check it out! The place is crazy big and the selection is amazing!

The the second Shackle is for my SIL Jenifer. I hope to have the time to embellish it tonight.

AND - here is the finished Stitch Diva Curlique Scarf:

And a different view...

This was definitely a fun knit... just kinda hard on the eyes with the mohair. Something to keep in mind for those interested in making this one - The last row and bind-off are 1272 stitches each! Knitting-ADD settled in quite quickly! But - it was well worth it, the scarf is beautiful.

THE BAD...:

My knitting schedule has been severely effected by everything that has been going on the last couple of weeks. So, needless to say, I am very far from reaching my Christmas Knit-List goals. I have done some shuffling around.... and with the things I made for the craft fair, I am still able to give some hand-knit gifts. So, the revised December goal list is:

1. Finish River. (I will get to this one in a second).

2. Block the Interlacements Fan and Feather Shawl.

3. Finish two one ArtFibers/Stitch Diva Scarves. (Done.) Look what I purchased to complete the second one:

Yep - size 50 needles! Oh well, there is always a future birthday or something!

4. Felt and embellish Shackle. (Done)

5. Start and finish second Shackle -OR- a Knecklace. (Just needs some embellishing)

6. Sew handbag.

7. Start and finish one Mary Ella.

8. Start and finish one Mary Ella -OR- Sew a handbag.

9. Seam Ash.

10. Complete back portion of Homme #77, start one of the front pieces.

We'll see how the rest of the month goes...

& THE UGLY:

I was plugging along on River last night... I was probably at the 40% complete stage when I noticed something horrible! I was so heart-broken, I could not even take a picture of it! I made a mistake... a big mistake... on the pattern... the yarn-overs were completely off about half way down! I totally missed it... you would think I was blind or something. Heart-broken, completely heart-broken. I really thought that if I worked on it every night I could get it done in time for the recipient for Christmas.... so not going to happen now!

Luckily, with A LOT of patience, tears, and taking my time, I ripped out the KSH and was able to salvage the yarn (thank goodness!). But now I'm at about 20% complete. Heart-broken, completely heart-broken. There's not enough time to finish it... I was pushing it at the 40% spot, but there is just no way now.

So, I'm off to the store tonight to purchase a gift instead of completing River. Bummer.

Felting Needed

I wrapped up the Vertical Stripe Bag last night at Kris' during our weekly knit-together:

Are we sure that felting is needed??

Um, yeah.... that would be a resounding "YES!"

Now comes this issue of the washing-machine dilemma again... oh, you know, that fact that I don't have one! Hmmm, I wonder if my MIL would let me borrow her's for a bit...

Anyway, Kris had received the order that we place a couple of weeks ago at Handworks Gallery when they were having their 30% off sale:

Included in the original order was some Cashcotton DK for IK's Fiery Bolero and some Kidsilk Haze for River - but they were out of the colors I wanted! They did, however, have the Felted Tweed I wanted for Shackle.

Due to missing items we wanted from Handworks Gallery, Kris and I ended up going in on an ebay order - so I am now patiently waiting for some Cashsoft DK in "donkey" (don't even get me started on the name of the color :D) and some Kidsilk Haze in "majestic" for River! I can't wait to start River. I've been tracking the River KAL and it seems that there are some problems with needle selection due to the join of the needle to the cord. Kidsilk Haze seems to get stuck at this join. There has been some discussion about Bryspun circs but Kris is using some Boye aluminum circs to work on Birch (using a Habu Silk Kusa) and she is pretty happy with their performance thus far. I'm thinking that I will pick up the dirt cheap Boye's and give them a whirl for River.... once I get the yarn :)