The Stripes Have Come to an End

I finished it! The stripy scarf is ready to go. This is the one I started here.

I knitted this scarf on the basis that if my DH liked it when it was done, it would be his. And, thankfully, it has been met with his approval. I kept checking to make sure it was long enough for him, and when it was I stopped knitting.

So it’s got six white blocks and five maroon blocks. Forty rows to each block. I consulted the client (my DH) about a fringe, but he deemed a fringe not manly enough. It’s all good, though – I’m really happy with my second-ever scarf, and with the knitting practice. I’m going to start experimenting with different projects soon.

It’s good to be back!

I See Stripes

I’ve got very itchy stitchy fingers, and I couldn’t resist – I had to start another scarf!

I’m still sticking to the garter stitch (not ready to venture too much right now). I’m using Red Heart’s Super Saver in Aran Fleck – which I ADORE, and which I bought when I was in the States this summer – and alternating it with this generic brand I found here in a nice maroon color.

I had to use size 5mm knitting needles, which are almost half the size of the ones I was using for my first scarf (8mm), and the yarn is a 4, almost half the size of the size 6 I had been using. Let me tell you, going smaller is HARD. I had a false start, had to undo everything, and then start over again.

But I really wanted to focus on alternating colors. So far I’ve only got three blocks. I do have to count the rows this time to make sure they’re all even, but it’s all good.

This is going to be fun!

Some Anxiety and a Finish

I wanna say first thank you all for always being so sweet and kind to me. I know I haven’t been a very good blogger lately – I’ve got so many new blogs I want to go through, and so many old blogs I need to catch up on.

This is just such a busy time! We’re finally nearing the end of Ramadan (which seems to get harder and harder every year), and next week we’re heading to Yemen for the end of Ramadan and Eid (the celebration we have at the end of the month of fasting). I don’t know if you guys have been keeping up with the news of Yemen, but the situation is not good. There are suicide bombers and looting, the electricity/phone lines/Internet are only on for about five hours a day, and there’s very little water.

So why are we going? That’s where my husband’s family lives. My DH is half Yemeni and half Spanish. That isn’t so weird in and of itself, but when you combine the two of us (my mother is American, from North Carolina, and my father is an Arab, from Kuwait), you get a mix most people consider strange. At least, that’s what people around here think.

Anyway, we’re going to Yemen next week and I’ve been busy preparing. The anxiety has been good for my knitting though – I finished my scarf!

Isn’t it a beauty? It’s got random bumps and the edges are all over the place, but it’s super soft and warm and I can’t wait for winter to wear it! Love love love love love.

I’ll be honing my knitting skills some more. I get very determined about these things. Some people enjoy learning new languages or how to play musical instruments. This is where I’m happiest – playing with thread.

Love you all to bits,

Biscornu: Debi's Roses Done!

Finished up my Debi’s Roses biscornu!

This was a fun one. A little difficult with the Light Effects thread, but I love a good challenge. Doesn’t it look lovely with my first dilapidated biscornu? I’ve got a little collection going on here.

Picked up my knitting needles again. I had to buy another ball of yarn, but I’m nearly done with my scarf now. Will be posting pictures soon!

Cheers,

A Return to Biscornus

I’ve had to put my knitting aside this week because I flew through two balls of yarn, realized they wouldn’t be enough, and now have to make a trip to buy some more.

So, instead, I’m back to my biscornu obsession! This freebie is courtesy of Chatelaine Designs. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? It’s called Debi’s Roses. I stitched it on black 14-count Aida, and the colors just pop against the background.

This was the first time I’ve ever worked with DMC’s Light Effects floss, specifically E436, which I substituted for Kreinik’s 002 V. Oh my goodness, it is so difficult! I mean, the effect is fantastic, but you have to work doubly hard to get there. I did have a lot of fun putting all those little beads on, though.

So nothing left for me to do but put the two sides together and stuff it. And I’ll be picking my knitting back up soon, I hope.

And now, the giveaway winner! DUN DUN DUN.

And the winner is:
Melissa from St. John's Stitcher!

That was so much fun. I can't wait to do it again!

Lots of stitchy love,