I finally got my act together and took photos of my finished Algiers Shawl to show you.

Here it is in all of those glorious blues. The yarn kit that I got from Woolen Rabbit isn’t exactly a gradient and I played around a bit with the colors, going from light to dark and then back out to light again. I felt like such a rebel doing it that way.

Let’s get in a little closer and look at those blues. I honestly can’t decide which stripe is my favorite, I just love them all. And look at all of those yarn overs. Lots and lots of yarn overs.

How about if we get even a little closer. I want to make sure you see that beautiful stitch pattern.

I truly enjoyed knitting this shawl. The pattern is easy to follow, as are all of Kirsten’s, and the design is simple and beautiful. That crochet bind off took a bit of time – that’s a lot of loops – but it was totally worth it.

And one last look of the whole piece. It’s been quite a while since I finished a shawl like this and I’m so excited to have it for the fall.  In fact, I’ve already worn it and it’s warm and soft and lovely and goes with jeans and a blouse perfectly.

Sure, it took me all summer (and then some) to knit the thing but it’s done and ready just in time for cooler temps, outside fires, apple picking and more.

 

You guyssssz. I finished a hand knit. I know, right? I mean, it’s not really finished because it’s not blocked yet but the knitting is done and that feels like a small miracle these days.

It’s the Zick Zack Scarf that I started wayyyyyy back in May and Monday, while staying cool and catching up on Game of Thrones and Outlander, I finally finally finished it. It’s colorful and soft and I think it’s going to be very wearable. Once it’s blocked and, you know, actually cold enough for a scarf. (I’m not rushing that, in case you weren’t sure.)

I’ve also gotten some knitting done on my current socks. Last Wednesday, when I attended that all day training thingy, I knit. A lot. Seriously, knitting was the only thing that kept me awake at times. I managed to finish one sock and start the other, which I then knit in the car on the way to NH and on the beach at Lake Winniepesaukee.

So. Knitting. It’s like a Christmas in July Miracle or something.

The Summer Knit A Long at As Kat Knits got underway last weekend. And, while there are no rules, I do like rules and intended to create some for myself. The first rule was going to be that I finish my Zick Zack Scarf before I start any gradient shawl.

You know what they say, though.

Rules are meant to be broken.

Yes, I cast on the Algiers shawl on Tuesday. I couldn’t wait anymore, I was just itching to get going on some lace knitting. And Zick Zack is almost done and, you know what? It can wait.

I love being a rebel.

Have you heard? As Kat Knits is hosting a Summer Knit A-Long and it’s about impossible to say no. Because, really, these are rules I can get behind:

Do you have some knitting you need or want to get done?

Is there a project you are itching to cast on?

Do you just want to meander down a lazy river, working on one single project all summer?

Do you want to challenge yourself to tackle a new skill or a project that expand your current skills?

Is your basket of WIP’s about to overtake your house?

Did you make a resolution last January to gain control of the WIP’s in your life and since then the number of them increased rather than decreased?

Do you just need a Knitting Staycation with your stash?

Do you want to have some encouragement, laughter, and crafting fun?

It’s really something for everyone and it got me thinking about what I want to knit this summer. I’ve decided that it’s time to make a shawl from one (or both although I doubt that will actually happen) of the two gradient kits I bought from Woolen Rabbit in the last year or so.

There’s this one:

It’s called Singing the Blues and it’s Woolen Rabbit Essence. I like the blues. I also like that it’s all ready caked and ready to go.

And then there’s this one:

Silky Kashmir in a beautiful array of pinks. I like the pinks. I also like that it’s 75% cashmere and 25% silk. Hullo softness.

Two kits to choose from, though, is the least of my problem. My big problem? Picking a pattern.

I originally bought those blues to knit myself Algiers, since I gave the other one I made to my sister-in-law. So I could do that.

But.

I know that I have seen other shawls using gradient kits like this. And I know that I have lurved them. I just can’t, at this moment, remember what any of them are.

Help a knitter out, won’t you? Tell me what you would knit with one (or both) of these kits.

Thanks, guys.

Waaaaay back in September of last year I cast on for this Patriots Scoreboard Cowl. I chose red for the Pats points and blue for the opposing team points and I knit diligently during most of the games. When I couldn’t knit I spent (a lot!) of time catching up. Let me tell you, there were some high scoring games and that added up to a LOT of rows.

I finally finished it back in February, choosing to end it with the regular season and not continue it on to the post season games. So it’s been done for weeks. And weeks.

I’m finally showing it to you today because 1) I actually took photos of it and 2) I’m pissed off about the latest decision of the courts to uphold Tom Brady’s suspension for 4 games. I know, I know, people think the Pats cheat. Whateverrrr. What I’m pissed about is the unilateral control and power this gives to the NFL and, more specifically, Roger Goodell. I’m not the only one who thinks so and if you’re inclined to read more I’ll direct you to this. And also this.

Anyway. Come this fall and winter I’ll be wearing this proudly and in support of my team. It’s super long and very soft and pretty cool looking with all of those random stripes.

As we say here in New England, Go Pats!

Oh yeah. Project details here.