Lest you think I've been idle since Leda came off the needles, let me put your minds at ease. Although very little knitting took place over the long holiday weekend, I have been busy with knitting the last two days.

I hope everyone who was wont was able to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, food, and fiber. My brother, his girlfriend, and her parents came to my parents' home for Thanksgiving. Mom held the festivities of the weekend, and I helped out with the cooking. There were eleven of us around their dinner table, but there were still empty places in our hearts because of those who were unable to be with us due to circumstances of life.

Nothing new has been started on the knitting front, so I thought I'd take Wednesday to update the current works-in-progress.

First up is the Cambridge Jacket for Math Guy (He wants you to know that the color is showing much lighter than real life. It is a nice deep rich color--a heathered burgundy. I guess shooting it on the porch in the sun washed it out a bit.) He has been hovering waiting patiently as I finished Leda and worked a bit on my Wool Peddler's Shawl, but now I feel like I'm in the home stretch on this one, so it will likely be all CJ until it is done. The back and both fronts are finished, with the sleeves and collar to go--but the collar happens after everything is already sewn up, so I'm not counting that. Just the sleeves---miles of stockinette. I'll cast them both on the same needle today and get to work. This has been very satisfying to knit even though it's just stockinette with a bit of ribbing. I'm using Plymouth Encore on size 7 needles, so it seems to fly compared to lace.

See how the front opening rolls--I know it's because of the stockinette--the rolling is where the zipper goes. I'm hoping that will tame the roll since blocking the acrylic/wool blend isn't going to do anything to solve it. It rolls a bit along the bottom too, but the designer, Ann Budd, calls for a single crochet along the whole bottom to keep that section flat. Even as I'm knitting I'm worrying about that rolling, but not enough to keep me from planning a Cambridge Jacket for my dad and brother. NO, not in time for Christmas......I'm not insane. But I bet I could get one of those done before then, and I could do it in all wool, too.

Next up, the next closest to being finished is my Wool Peddler's shawl--I think this is its debut here on Chez Jenny Raye--come to think of it, all the projects I'm showing today are being revealed for the first time. I'm working this in Plymouth Galway in a great shade of red (not so bright as shown) on size 8 needles. I started out with the 8s for the garter stitch section, but the fabric didn't drape enough, so I bumped up to 10s for the garter stitch and have gone back down to 8s for the lace. At first I was worried that the shawl wouldn't be big and cuddly enough with just the number of lace repeats called for, so I planned on modifying the pattern (of course) by adding some repeats. I'm starting to think I'll be okay with it as written, but just in case my lys is holding a couple more balls of the Galway for me.

Also on the needles is a pair of socks using Roxanne's Zen Yarn Garden strawberry mocha I bought around the first of the year. I had about 1/2 the foot knit up with just the variegated colorway when I started to let my mind wander through the stash, and I recalled some brown that I had stuffed away for socks for Mr Fix-it. Why I don't know since the man doesn't wear brown. Hmmm.....that brown would go really well with the strawberry mocha (which I like to think of as chocolate raspberry truffle since I'm not a coffee gal). So the brown is being used as a coordinating toe and heel for the socks. I've never done this before, but so far, I'm liking it.

There are two other WIPs over there in the sidebar that I won't even bother to photograph as they are in project limbo. I'm not feeling the love of the Trekking Jaywalkers--those may be frogged in favor of just a plain stockinette and ribbing sock, like the ones I made in January, and which are still my favorite socks. The second project in limbo is my self-designed Shenandoah stole. I love the pattern, it's the yarn that has me down on this one. I just don't like the handpaintedyarn's lace for it--it's variable in size, sometimes as thin as a tiny little thread, but I don't think I'll frog it or anything. Just need to sit down and work on it........after the holidays.

I'll let that be it for today. I do want to show you some of the cool stuff I've gotten in trade for my destashing so far. I will be adding some yarn to what I have listed, so that will likely happen tomorrow, along with the post of trade loot.

Happy Wednesday all!

Leda's Dream

Leda's Dream stole came off the needles Sunday night rather than Saturday, as planned, but what's one day. After a quick bath and a night of blocking under the ceiling fan, Leda was ready for her debut.....but was once again forced to delay her opening night. But now the time has finally arrived to put her on display, as she so richly deserves. Without further delay, I give you.....Leda.

Details:

Pattern: Leda's Dream by Melanie at Pink Lemon Twist

Yarn: Jaggerspun Zephyr in Plum approximately 1.5 two oz balls

Needle: Size 3 Addi Turbo

Size: 24" by 69" after blocking

Start date: August, 2006

Finish date: November 19, 2006

Modifications: None, although I intended to knit one fewer repeat, when I finished the 5th repeat and read the pattern I found that 5 total repeats was all that was called for. So, finally, I have knit a pattern just as it was written.....purely by mistake.

New techniques learned: Provisional cast on--this was a piece of cake once I used a cotton yarn rather than some of my scrap sock yarn. I was a bit worried about pulling it out, but that was no problem. I just pulled out one stitch at a time and immediately put the live stitch on the needle. Knitted on edge--what fun this was! I love how it looks like a wave, and it"s a versatile little technique to pull out of the repetoire. I may just have to try it in designing a shawl of my own.

Edited to add: Heidi, my secret to blocking lace in a relatively short period of time~~blocking wires. I had Leda pinned out in less than an hour. I bought my wires for less than $30 at KnitPicks. I've never done one with just pins. The first couple of lace projects I did I used craft wire from Walmart to do the long edges, but it was too flexible. I've heard that you can get welding rods at hardware stores, but I didn't have any luck finding them, so I just bit the bullet and got the wires. I don't know that I would have continued in lace knitting without them. Now, I pretty much can't put the lacework down.

Thoughts: I love this pattern. It has everything I love about lace. Lots of holes. Pattern to keep you on your toes. Wow factor. With every piece of lacework I complete I become more and more enamored with it. I'm already looking forward to my next lace project which should commence sometime after the first of the year~~Hidcote Garden shawl!

Almost there......

I'm starting to limber up for my traditional post-finishing lace Snoopy Happy Dance because I'm 3/4 of the way through the border on one end of my Leda's Dream stole and then will do the other end. Hopefully blocking will take place tonight! Stay tuned....pictures tomorrow!!!!

Patterns for Rectangular Stoles/Shawls--Updated!!!

For those of you who are new to my blog or if you haven't poked around much, I want to point out the link in the sidebar under the 'Patterns' heading. It's my Compendium of Rectangular Shawl Patterns. I just updated the list today with three shawls that I have stumbled across lately or that were sent to me by a reader. It's impossible for me to keep the list current alone, think of yourselves as my spies. If you see a rectangular shawl hanging about somewhere on the 'net, send me an email or post a comment, and I'll add it to the list--of course, with props to you for being the one to find it--a finder's fee of sorts :o) So get out there!!! Find me a pattern so I can add it to the list!!!

Favorite Lace Knitting Spot

My favorite spot to knit for the spring, fall, and certain days in the summer is out under our maple tree in the backyard. See the swing--that's my spot while The Terror naps--as long as it's not too hot. But now the weather has turned a little brisk and windy. The tree is mostly bare after a terrible storm that lasted most of Saturday night and all day yesterday. My favorite spot is now indoors--it's my big red chair and half with a spa bench in front that I use as an ottoman. I got it at BB and Beyond. It is done in some sort of reed in a pattern that looks like a knit stitch. The top comes off so I store all my current knitting projects, as well as some knitting books/magazines inside. Next to my chair is a table with a natural spectrum light that is perfect for knitting the dark yarn of Leda's Dream. An absolute necessity is a cup of steamy, spicy tea. Yummm! Music by Timothy Seaman in the background--it's very Celtic sounding. Ahhhh. Oh and on those cold days, I turn the chair around to face the fireplace, light the fire, and I am golden. It takes dynamite to move me then! Wish I could hit the spot right now, but work is calling! Just four hours and counting until naptime!

Lacevember Update

Whew! It's been raining like crazy here with more promised, so no walking for me this morning. Guess I'll take that 'extra time' to update on Lacevember.

First, the plan of working 21 (it's actually 22 rows, I forgot that last purl back row) is working remarkably well. I reached the halfway point through the pattern Monday afternoon--that's 252 rows and did the obligatory 22 last night. I told some of you in emails that I had a decision I need advice on. When I reached the halfway point (3 repeats) the stole was no less than 30 inches long when hanging down from the needles. The recepient of said stole is 5 foot nothing in heels, and I worry about the length of it on her. If I knit the stole to its intended length it will be 60 inches unblocked not including the border on each end. Looks like it would be a good 66 inches with that--so let's say 5'6" unblocked, and that is a conservative estimate. The yarn is 50/50 wool/silk--Jaggerspun Zephyr for those who are curious. I've never used it before, so I don't know how it will block. Will I get a lot of give? If feels like it will stretch quite a bit. I'm thinking I'd get a minimum of 12" more in length when it's blocked, but you guys may have a better estimate. So the quandry is, should I knit the whole pattern and come out with something close to 7 feet long for a gal only 5 feet tall or should I cut out the last repeat and get something roughly 6 + feet long? Here's a photo on a rainy Virginia morning for your viewing pleasure.

Second, the Lacevember meme.

The knitting questions, or the usual suspects

How long have you been knitting? My great-grandmother taught me when I was less than 10, only to cast-on and knit away, not how to DO anything with it. I picked knitting up in '96 or so from EZ' s Knitting Workshop and other than a brief hiatus while pregnant with and caring for The Terror, I've never looked back.

How did you learn to knit? See above. Everything I have learned has been from a book or online.

Favorite thing about knitting? It's the one creative outlet I have.

How long have you been knitting lace? One year, almost to the day. My first project was Dainty Bess.

Favorite thing about knitting lace. I love how it keeps me on my toes. Mindless knitting has it's place, but lace.....I just love the texture and forms you get from making holes in your knitting.

The yarn questions, or flash your stash

Favorite lace yarn? I've knit 4 lace items--not including socks--and have used a different yarn for each project. Of course, I love my cashmere shawl, but it doesn't hold its block well. That would probably be okay for a triangular shawl, but with the rectangle, I lose the depth of the pattern as it grows longer. Don't get me wrong, she's still a beauty. The Zephyr I'm currently using is nice, but I haven't seen it blocked yet. Shadow is at the bottom of the list of four. I think the top place would have to go to Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud. The drape is unbelievable, it simply floats. I have six skeins (2 different colorways) in my stash now and am planning on using it doubled in Iris to make Hidcote Garden shawl--need to order 3 more skeins of that colorway.

Variegated or solids for shawls? Depends on the pattern. I'm still working on my self-designed Shenandoah stole in a varigated yarn.

Favorite lace color? The red-orange of autumn leaves.

Technique, or show us your skillz

Circs or straights? Circs

Favorite lace knitting trick? Counting the number of knit stitches between yos, k2tog, etc., and writing the number in the first knit stitch block, so I don't have to count the empty boxes everytime I come to them. Thanks, Melanie!

Lifelines? While I am a vocal proponent of lifelines, I have not used one on this or this or even this. Go figure, maybe I like to live dangerously, or maybe I'm just dumb. Sampler shawl had some obvious mistakes that kept me from entering her in the state fair. If I'd had the lifelines that might not have happened.

If so with what? Next time I use one, it will be made from dental floss.

Fancy blocking wires, or just sewing pins stuck in your carpet? Blocking wires, definitely.

Pattern, or can you follow directions

shawls or lacey items? So far just shawls and scarves--a couple of sort of lacey socks, but I prefer my socks without holes, so there may be no more of those.

Triangle, rectangle, or circular shawls? Since I have this list over there on my sidebar, you would think that I'm all about rectangular shawls, but I just finished one triangular shawl and am working on another. So far, no circular shawls, and I don't see one in the near future. They just don't speak to me as the others do.

Charts or printed instructions? Hmmmm....some charts I find easy to use. Others, such as those in Folk Shawls just confuse me, so I use the written instructions. Mostly I prefer the chart--with one glance I know where I am.

Favorite lace you've knit? You're kidding, right? Has to be the ribbon winning Sampler Shawl from this summer's The Amazing Lace. But, if Hidcote Garden turns out the way I hope than SS will be removed from first place in my heart.

Favorite lace you want to knit? One day I want to knit this for my daughter's wedding. And maybe even one like this for my future daughter-in-law.

Just Fun, yup that's right, just for fun

Favorite jelly belly flavor? I'm a purist--Cherry or Lemon, although I love green apple and watermelon, too.

Tell me everything you know about Eric the Red..... Viking, had a kid, took him looking for a new home, kid liked exploring, discovered the New World, more famous than his dad.

Coke, classic or with lime? Classic, of course

Holiday carols, sing along, or wish they would be banned from all public airwaves? Carols

What is the definition of irony? Washing the car just in time for a hurricane to blow through.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? You're supposed to lick them?

Why is my cat always puking in front of my son's bedroom door? Hacking up the dust bunnies he ate from under the kid's bed, if it's like my house.

What is your superhero power? The ability to remain relatively sane in a house with two teens and a 4 year old.

If the laundry is 9 foot by 11 foot (just dreaming, that's a big laundry room), and the walls are 8 feet tall, and you are going to tile the entire room in tiles that are 3 inches by 5 inches, what color should those tiles be? White...remember, I'm a purist.

What's for dinner tonight? I'll tell you the same thing I tell my kids the gajillion times a day they ask me that question......Food.

What is clogging my children's bathtub drain? Legos--again, if it's like my house.

Remember to email me if you'd like anything from the Wanna Swap post above. I'll be adding needles and yarn over the next couple of days.

KTS2!!!!!

Nadine in Germany was my wonderful tea swap pal this go 'round with the Knitter's Tea Swap. She sent a variety of German treats: teas, candies, and yarn! What more could a girl want?!?! In the photos you will notice that the candy is noticeably absent.....it's been a high stress couple of days, and well, to be honest, it's all gone--I ate it.......All. By. Myself. It sure was good, too!!!

Included in the teas are two loose teas--need to get one of those cool teapots or infusers. And one packaged tea called Salsa--this package had a bit of English on it so I know it is cherry flavored, with some coffee powder and chili pepper, among various other spices and flavors. Tried it yesterday--yummmmmmm!!!!!

As an added bonus, I received a set of cute stitch markers in the mail yesterday. Nadine has been worried for the past several weeks due to the tardiness of the arrival of my package. To hold me over until the arrival of my gift box she ordered these markers last week (she even had a replacement box planned if the original went permanently AWOL). As Murphy's Law would have it, the gift box arrived Saturday and the stitch markers....yep, yesterday.

Oh, and the yarn!!!! Again, German, stuff we can't get here in the States. Isn't it great--sock yarn, of course :o) The middle one reminds me of Trekking or Opal in its feel, twist, and weight.

Nadine, I love it all! Thanks for being such a great swap pal! Whoever gets you for the next swap is one lucky giftee!

There is a rumor among the tea swappers that there will be a round three come Spring, 2007, so stay tuned!

Wanna Swap?

I've been starting to weed through my stash of books, magazines, needles, and yarn and have come across a number of things that need new homes. I am interested in swaps ONLY. If you are interested in any of the items below, please contact me at jenny.raye at yahoo.com with what you would like to trade for the item. My wish list is at the bottom of the post. I will be updating as I go through more things and items are spoken for. We'll start with books, magazines, and patterns. All items are from a smoke-free environment. I do have a dog, but she doesn't roll around in my stuff. If you are allergic, plan accordingly.

Yarns Added November 10, 2006
Maggi's Alpaca from Maggi's Irish Collection: 7 complete 50 gm ball and one partial ball. I weighed them on my scale and came up with approx. 375 gm. Each 50 gm ball yields approx 49 yds, color red. 100% alpaca. So soft! I used part of the stash I scored on sale at lys to knit this last year. 10 rows and 7 st to 2" on size 10 US needle Swap in Progress

Dancing from Knit Picks in purple, pink, red colorway--can't remember the name. Two full 50 gm balls for a total of 506 yds. Cotton, wool, nylon, elastic blend. In top right corner of this photo.

Ballybrae by Brunswick in shade 227 Clan Tweed. 1 complete with label 100 gm skein and one 91 gm ball. Approx 190 yds/100 gm. 100% unscoured wool. Discontinued I believe. Swap in Progress

Silja superwash sock yarn 80% wool, 20% nylon, 50 gm=approx 150m. Three complete balls. Color 328 (brown)

Felted Tweed by Rowan in what I believe is Phantom colorway (sorry no label)--deep brown with flecks of white and blue; 175 m/50gm ball. Two complete balls, each partially knit up and frogged--just enough to make the toe of a sock.

Sierra Aran from the Peruvian Collection by Elann; 80%wool, 20% alpaca; Sangria colorway (784); one complete with label 50 gm ball; approx 91yds

Balmoral Natural Tweed DK by Sidar (discontinued) 75% wool, 25% alpaca 1 intact 50 gm skein (approx 127 yds) and one partial still in label 41 gm (according to my scale) skein, light gray. I used this last year to knit these socks. The photo gives a slightly bluer cast. Think natural light gray of sheep.

Books
Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush excellent condition Swap complete

Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush, excellent condition Swap complete

Knitting Around by Elizabeth Zimmermann, 4th printing 1997, excellent condition (hb) Swap complete

Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmermann, 1995 pb edition, ISBN 0684135051, excellent conditon--just a couple of bent bottom page corners in the first 5-10 pages

Sock Soar on Two Circular Needles by Cat Bordhi (bottom corner was chewed on by my toddler when I first got the book), eighth printing June 2005 Swap in Progress

Homespun Handknit, pb, 1987, very good condition, ISBN 0934026262 Swap in Progress

Handbook of Aran Sweater Design by Janet Szabo, 1998 edition, self-published, excellent condition, (I got the new, revised edition) Swap in Progress

Patons Upside-Downers: Easy Cardigans to Knit from the Top Down (Child size 2 ro Adult extra large) #718

Patons Upside-Downers: Easy Pullovers to Knit from the Top Down (Child size 2 to Adult extra-large) #719 Swap in Progress

Patons Weekend Retreat: Ten Worsted Weight Designs to Knit, for Him and Her #923

Schachenmayr Nomotta Inspiration (Kreative Strickideen) Creative Knitwear, Everything for Babies #56, English

Classic Elite Yarns #830 The Opening, Four Sweaters Devon Silk/Wool Tweed, 1999

Patons Pull Up Your Socks! #590, 15 sock patterns, 1996 Swap in Progress

Magazines
Knitter's Summer 2005
Knitter's Winter 2005
Knitter's Summer 1993
Knitter's Winter 1999

Wool Gathering #65 A Weekend Sweater (EPS Updated)

****************************************************************************
Wish List (only from smoke free homes, please)

Knitting Sweaters in Plain English by Maggie Righetti

Victorian Lace Today

Barbara Walker's Treasuries: 1st, 3rd (Charted), 4th with priority to 1st

Back Issues of Interweave Knits

Mim's Gift Certificate

Summer in Kansas Shawl Pattern

Angela Wrap Pattern

Moon Dance Stole Pattern

Fiddlestick's Lacy Lattice Stole

Yarns:
3 skeins of Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in Iris
Lisa Souza Sock! or Sock! Merino
Vesper Sock yarn
Scout's Swag sock yarn
Yarntini sock yarn
Sock Hop sock yarn
Mountain Colors Bearfoot sock yarn
Trekking sock yarn
laceweight yarns

Knit Picks Options Cables in 40" or 60" length
Knit Picks Options Needle tips in sizes 4, 5, 8, 9
Gift certificate to Knit Picks

Stitch markers suitable for use with lace

Knit Klips

Lacevember

Yeah, you knew didn't ya? I joined Lacevember How can I resist a KAL focused on lace since I was bitten by the lace-bug back in the summer? Add to that the fact that I really need some motivation to finish Leda's Dream for a very dear friend in time for Christmas, and it becomes a given that I would be joining Lacevember.

Here is the progress as of Monday on Leda--approximately 40 rows into the second repeat--16 inches or so long. By Tuesday evening I had finished the second repeat (all 84 rows!!!!). My goal is to get at least 21 rows finished each weekday, leaving the weekends for the other projects, especially Math Guy's Cambridge Jacket (almost finished the back this past weekend.) I have 4 more complete repeats plus the border at each end left on Leda. I'm shooting to have the stole finished by the end of November. If that goal is met then I can pull out the long neglected Shenandoah Stole.

The maple in the backyard is finally changing into its autumn attire.

I love it when it looks like this--still green towards the middle of the tree with the autumn colors on the outside. It's prettiest in the early morning light, but I keep forgetting to get out and get a photo before noon.