FO: Mystic Light

Its done and I love the way this shawl has turned out.



The yarn and the stitch pattern has worked well together and I love the way the flames have picked up that shimmer. I hadn't anticipated this outcome at all.






I loved working on this pattern. I found it really easy and a fast knit. I did, however, notice that a few people became a bit grumpy with the last two clues where we were required to pattern on both the knit and purl rows. Personally I found the purl rows very easy since I had cut my teeth on the SSS where the patterning was far more challenging.

It was with the thought of another challenge that I joined the Mystery Lace KAL. After the release of Clue one that KAL has gone into melt down and has been shut down. I am very sorry that that has happened. It seems the poor designer was overwhelmed by the demands placed on her by participants. To me it seems that people have lost sight that what we are dealing with here is simply knitting. No one compels you to knit. If you join a KAL, particularly one which stated that its aimed at intermediate to experienced lace knitters, and you find it too difficult or not to your liking then just give it away. Knit something else. Its only yarn - not life and death.

I fear that future free KALs might soon become a thing of the past as designers take fright at the negative responses that are being generated in some KALs. I can't believe the demands some people place on these designers when they are prepared to give their work for free to us. We should honour them, not condemn them.

WIPs

I've finished clue 4 of the Mystic Light shawl. Only one more clue to go! This is a lovely easy shawl to knit and the fact that I'm knitting with a 5 ply is making it just that much easier. I've decided to first complete this shawl before starting on the Mystery Lace shawl. I've done the swatch and I'm happy with that. Clue 1 has appeared but its a really short clue so I figured it can wait a little while before I get stuck into it. I'm also still working on the Secret of Bad Nauheim shawl. I've still to do two more repeats before the final clue appears on 1 May.



In the meantime I've started to knit Henley Perfected. I'm knitting this with Grignasco Top Print. This is a 100% alpaca yarn and beautifully soft. I was very fortunate to receive this yarn from my friend Izzie who came to visit us from South Africa.



And finally I felt I needed a portable project so I cast on for a pair of Tidal Wave socks. I'm knitting this in Bendigo Woollen Mills Miami. I'm not spending much time on these at the moment but its nice to know that they are there when I need them!

So sad

Last night the nasty old fox turned up and killed all our chickens. So sadly Beryl, Meryl and little Sheryl are no more. We won't be able to replace them until we've managed to secure the orchard again. It will be very strange not having them around any more. I liked to go out and have a daily chook chat.

In the meantime autumn is making its presence felt. Clear blue skies by day and crisp nights. The trees have started to turn and drop their leaves.

These maples remind me of some of the beautiful Mystic Light shawls that have been appearing on Ravelry.

Gloating

I said I would gloat once the cozy was blocked. Well, here's to gloating...





I really tried to capture the colour of tis yarn but sadly my camera was not able to do so. Its Bendigo Woolen Mills Rustic 8 ply in Midnight Tweed. Its a gorgeous colour, dark blue background with hints of greens through it. I think it was because I enjoyed the yarn and in particular the colour so much that I was able to continue knitting this shawl to the end.

Progress

Lots of knitting has been happening but I just haven't got round to taking photos. So this is just an update on a number of projects.

First and foremost the Cozy. It's finally done and blocking as I write this. Here's proof:



I had enough yarn to make it longer but I have to confess that I got fed up knitting the thing. I do like the colour though. I knitted this in Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 8ply - Midnight Tweed. Once its dry I'll probably take a few more photos so that I can gloat over the completed product.

I've completed clue 2 of the Mystic Lights shawl:



And I've completed clue 3 of the Secret of Bad Nauheim shawl:



And finally I've done a swatch for the Mystery Lace shawl which will start towards the end of the month.



I'm going to knit this shawl with Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 2 ply in Almond using 3.5mm circular needles.

Secret of Bad Nauheim

I finally got round to knitting clue 2 and taking a photo of my progress.



I'm knitting this in Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 2 ply - Peony using 3.5 mm Knit Picks Options.

It's a very easy pattern to knit. Although after the SSS I think anything will feel easy for a while.

I am already trying to guess the theme. Tulips come to mind or even possibly fountains.

All good things

come to those who wait! Last night I received by Australian Bag Lady swap parcel. A kind neighbour picked it up from the post office for me.

I have to thank Kris (aka webgoddess) for a wonderful parcel. A beautiful and very useful bag



and the cutest little dog. I named him Spot and he is already right at home.



And the bag also included chocolate, t-pins (you can never have enough of those!) and a Sudoku book. Now I'm torn do I knit or do a quick Sudoku (or 2 or 3....).

Surprises

I've been ROAKed! I had a lovely surprise waiting for me when I got home yesterday. Robbie (aka buttonbrite) sent me this great package of Kool-Aid for dyeing.



I've been wanting to try my hand at a spot of dyeing for ages. I'm hoping that I will have the opportunity to do so this weekend.

The packages for the Australian Bag Lady swap went out last week. The pictures for parcels received started appearing this week and there are so many stunning bags on view. My secret pal received my parcel today. I hope she likes it because after seeing all those works of art I was feeling very inadequate. I made her a knitting tote,



a French market bag



and a string bag.



They didn't turn out quite as well as I had hoped but I think they will at least be useful.

I think my parcel is currently awaiting me at the post office. Because we live so far from the PO it will probably be a few days before I can go and pick it up. The anticipation is driving me nuts.