Higgs Seascape Stole

Looky what I made for Kristin! I insured this package with the post office and they rolled.their.eyes when I told them what I thought it was worth. Or maybe they were incredulous that I would actually spend 120 hours knitting.

Here is the Higgs Seascape Stole modeled in front of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.

Here it is modeled on me. I was standing at the end of the Higgs pier on a VERY windy day, and praying I wouldn’t drop the scarf in the water.

Me again with my artfully wind-tousled locks.

Here it is modeled in the empty chocolate box I sent it in. (I hope Kristin wasn’t disappointed that there were no chocolates in that lavender box!)

This pattern is Seascape from Knitty, and I used a LOVELY, softy-soft teal alpaca lace yarn from Cascade. I wish my photos had captured the subtle heathered hues in this yarn.

Happy Birthday Kristin!! I love you!

Snorkel Bag

This is probably how the designer of this cool knitted bag intended for it to be used:

However, I am sending it to a friend in St. Croix, and THIS is probably how she will use it!

Here is a detail of the stitches:

The Montavilla Market Bag pattern is FREE at KnitPicks here.

Jonquil Shrug

A present for Alexis, a shrug made of pale jonquil Euroflax linen.

I had to wet it down and block (stretch) it out to dry to give it shape:

Putting dozens of pins in the bed made me a bit nervous, but I got them all up.

I made and sent this ages ago, but forgot to post pictures because I was waiting for her to wear it and show me! I can wait no longer!

This was a fun, easy knitting with a free pattern from my local yarn shop in Key West.

Lace Scarf Finished

I am so proud of myself for undertaking and finishing a lace project! This scarf is for my lovely mother-in-law Betty. I know she loves red, and that was the only excuse I needed to buy this gorgeous cashmere yarn.

In this photo, the scarf is being blocked (stretched to the right shape) and the color is truer than in the backlit photo above.

For knitters, the pattern is Pyrifera, named for a fast-growing seaweed, with beautiful examples for Ravelry members here. I named mine Rhodophydta, for red seaweed. The yarn is Artyarns Cashmere 1 ply. This was an excellent choice for a first lace project, as I was able to memorize the 10-row repeat very easily.

P.S. I think I am now addicted to lace, because I have two more projects started needles!

Mid-January

Holy Cow!! I’m knitting lace! I’ve been attempting lace for years, but am just now experiencing success.

Mosca and Weasel

This is how we get our laundry to the laundromat around the corner. Yes, we wear our helmets.

The incredibly cool Island  Bike Shop loaned us this balance bike for a week for the Boogedy to try out. He’s getting better, after biffing it a few times.

The coolest Key West rooster I’ve ever seen. The main post office seems to host the prettiest breeds.

Some giant (18-30-inch-tall) colored glass bottles at ROSS. I wish the purple one would withstand the 3000 mile shipment to my sister in Salt Lake.

Boysenberry Beret

I made this for myself because I tried on the shop sample at Black Sheep Wool Company and it was adorable and I can’t resist Baby Cashmerino yarn, and the sample fit beautifully. Unfortunately, mine turned out too big. It was easy to make, with an easily memorized vine and leaf pattern. It made me want to venture out and try more lace and more cables!

Perhaps some larger-headed friend will get this for xmas, because it’s done now and I can’t bear the thought of stitching elastic into the band.