Carole Knits

october zinnia
october zinnia
martinis with a view
martinis with a view
gettysburg fence for
gettysburg fence for
germinate shawl on rocks
germinate shawl on rocks
field of flags 2
field of flags 2
color affection with edge
color affection with edge
cedar leaf shawlette 2
cedar leaf shawlette 2
3_27_2014
3_27_2014
3_18_13
3_18_13
2_24_2014
2_24_2014
1_11_13
1_11_13
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits

Wednesdays Are For Knitting

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How could I devote a week to thankfulness and not give knitting a post all of it’s own? Knitting, after all, is what brought us all together. And I certainly never dreamed, when I picked up needles and yarn on a beach over 20 years ago, that it would open up my world in such an amazing way.

Because of knitting, I made beautiful and warm things to wear, not just for myself but for family members and friends.

Because of knitting, I started a blog, which gave me the opportunity to expand my writing skills and to meet all of you.

Because of knitting, I have traveled to Utah and Michigan, to have in person visit with online friends who miraculously became real life friends.

Knitting reduces my stress, keeps me from ever being bored, gives me something in common with all of you.

I am thankful for knitting!

Wednesdays Are For Knitting: Something Blue Socks

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To put it bluntly, the socks feel a little anticlimactic after the wedding sweater, right? But it’s Wednesday and it’s knitting so here are the Something Blue Socks I knit for Hannah to wear with her Kate Spade sparkly sneakers on her wedding day.

I sort of used Helen Stewart’s pattern for Lavender Field Socks but also, not really. I mean, the lace portion is definitely from her pattern, but the picot edge and heel and all of the other details are just the same as my regular picot edge socks.

The yarn is Dream in Color Smooshy (with cashmere, of course) in the color Iceland. The yarn, just like everything else about that day, was perfect.

And that’s the story of the wedding socks.

Wednesdays Are For Knitting: The Wedding Sweater

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The day has come where I can finally show you pictures of the finished Wedding Sweater. Knitting this for Hannah brought me so much joy . . . and so much stress!

The pattern is Argent and we chose it after lots of perusing of Ravelry and lots of discussion about what Hannah wanted as well as what I felt capable of knitting for her.

The lace edges and cuffs are what make this sweater special, although I do wish the lace pattern had been charted. The rest of the sweater is garter stitch and, while it was simple enough to do, I knit this on size 2 needles so it was definitely a labor of love.

The yarn is JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk, a cone that Sean gifted to me the minute he heard I would be knitting Hannah a sweater to wear over her wedding dress. It’s light and airy and also surprisingly warm so it was really perfect for the occasion. The single pearl button at the neck came from my Nana’s button box.

It fit her perfectly and complimented her dress well. Simple, but with those special lace details. I’m sharing this photo because it not only shows that gorgeous lace cuff, but also shows Hannah’s something borrowed, a heart shaped pin with open shutters. It belonged to my mother and she wore it every Christmas, saying that her heart was . . . wait for it . . . open. It was perfect for this occasion and a beautiful reminder of my mother’s love on this day.

The weather on the day of the wedding was ideal, sunny and clear, with brilliant blue skies and not a drop of rain or touch of mist. Hannah was comfortable enough for the ceremony without the sweater but she made a point of wearing it later in the day for some of the professional photos and that touched this mama’s heart deeply.

I always thought I’d knit Hannah a shawl to wear for her wedding day and when she asked for a sweater I was a little disappointed. In the end, though, this was perfect. Comfortable, warm, and lovely, it made me so happy to create this new family heirloom for my daughter.

Wednesdays Are For Knitting

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Friends. The wedding sweater is done. It’s blocked and seamed and ready for the bride. I will have photos to share after the wedding so you’ll just have to hold on until then.

The wedding socks, which I’m calling Something Blue, are progressing. Sock number one is just about done and I’m fairly confident that sock number 2 will be done with time to spare. The bride will be wearing these with Kate Spade glitter sneakers and they will be, as you may have surmised from their name, her something blue.

The Aperture Stole, which is supposed to be for me to wear to the wedding . . . is not done. And it’s not likely to get done. And . . . that’s okay.

And that’s my knitting update for this week.

Unraveling

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I’m joining Kat today with a post about knitting and reading.

I’m happy (so happy) to report that there hasn’t been any unraveling. In fact, the knitting of the wedding sweater is done! I wasn’t going to bring it with me camping but I decided I couldn’t give up some big blocks of time to work on it so I brought it along. I finished one edge on the ride to NH to pick up the van, I worked on the other edge during the day on Saturday and finished on Sunday. All I have to do know is block the sleeves and body and then sew in the sleeves. Woo hoo!

On the reading front, I am currently reading Chris Bohjalian’s newest book, The Hour of the Witch (Bingo square by an author you love) and yesterday I started listening to Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz. This one is for the story-within-a-story square on my Bingo card and was suggested by at least 2 or perhaps even 3 of you. So far I like it and I’m grateful for all of your suggestions for that square.

And that’s it for me on the knitting and reading front. How about you? What are you knitting and reading?