Finished another Lace Shawl

I've had internet access problems on my own computer, so I haven't taken the time to update my blog. But I have been finishing knitting projects lately and I need to tell you all about them! I'll try to get some pictures posted soon, but here's the scoop:

Mystery Stole 2: I cast off last night! I knit the body of the stole right on schedule with the KAL--about 6 weeks--but I got derailed on the edging. I've decided I don't love knitting edgings that are perpendicular to the shawl. Oh I think they're really pretty and all that, but the shorter rows, frequent turning, and etc is cumbersome at best and is generally a hassle. So this one sat in a basket lacking the edging on one side for a couple of months until I decided to empty my UFO basket and get things finished. Actually, it's mostly becasue it is now cold enough and I want to *wear* my lace pretties :-) I dressed the stole out this afternoon and it is really a striking piece!

The final facts: Yarn-KnitPicks Alpaca Cloud, Color-Tide Pool, approx. 950-1000 yds., Addi-turbo needles size US 3 (3.25mm), Blocked dimension- 18" x 84" (72" length of body of stole plus 6" on each side for edging). Comments: This was a great design and fairly pleasant to knit, an intermediate level lace pattern; you do need to count like crazy and concentrate on the charts. I would knit this one again. Thanks Melanie (pinklemonknits)!

Ostrich Plumes Scarf: I finished this scarf back in September I think, although it was a few weeks before I got up the courage to block it. I used only pins for the blocking so the edges were a bit dimpled. I need to get some blocking wires! Then I reblock it and the scarf will look even better. As it is it already looks pretty darn wonderful so I can't complain. It took me awhile to memorize the pattern, mostly because I kept wanting to knit the pattern on every other row instead of every 4th row. I do love the ostrich plumes lace motif though and will definitely knit it again in either a scarf or a shawl (or both!).

The final facts: Yarn- Rowan Kid Silk Haze, Color-Candy Girl (a bright, deep raspberry pink), approx. 1.5 balls (~375-400 yds.), Addi-turbo needles size US 6 (4mm), Blocked dimension - . Comments: My 1st KSH project (I'm crazy in love with this yarn), After blocking the ostrich was *very* lacy. I think size 4 (3.5mm) needles would have looked better.

Branching Out Scarf: This is the infamous pattern from Knitty.com that many suggest as a good 1st lace project. I disagree. It's a nice design, but the "how many ways can you knit a 3 to 1 decrease in a single row" aspect of the design drove me bonkers. Yes, it was essential to the look of the branching, but it was a PITA to knit (esp the k3tog). It was such a PITA that it took me 7 or 8 months to find the courage to pick up this UFO and finish it.

The facts: Yarn- Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, Color-Bright turquoise, 1 skein (the whole skein!), Size 6 needles (I tried them all- Addis, Bamboo, BaleneII, Bates--none of them improved this knitting experience). I haven't blocked it yet, but it's approx. 9"x66". Comments: Never again. Not the pattern and not the yarn. NOT NOT NOT!

Sock Memories Socks: This was my brainless portable sock project. Just plain mostly stockinette knitting out of a royal blue, raspberry pink, bubblegum pink, and purple color mishmash. But they fit perfect (56 sts. on 2.75mm dpns) and I love how soft and yummy this KnitPicks yarn is. Too bad it's not superwash. I've already cast-on for the next pair (purples, blues, and yellow) as it's time to wear those warm wooly handknit socks! Yum :-)