Mystery Stole 3

A Very Crafty Update

Sarah Knitting, Mystery Stole 3, SockapalOOOza, Spinning

Apparently, a shawl I knit four years ago has generated some interest at Knitting Daily. How exciting! But when I clicked the link to my own page, I realized that all of my actual current projects weren’t even mentioned on my current projects list. So, without further ado, here are my current projects:

Clue #1 and the first 20 rows of Clue #2 of the Mystery Stole #3:

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It’s really hard to take a nice picture of unblocked lace, so excuse the lumpiness. Maybe next time I’ll at least pin it out!

The Tango baby sweater:

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This poor sweater gave up its needles for the sake of the mystery stole, but I’m happy to report that I got another set in the mail today, so there’s hope for it yet! Now if only there were knitting elves that would knit that ever-so-exciting second sleeve for me so it could actually get done before the baby outgrows it, that would be great!

Carrie’s “summer” sweater, Reid:

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Ahem. Yes, I’m aware that summer is a good portion of the way done, and that Carrie is growing quickly, and that I made this a size that would fit her this year and most likely not next. No, I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m going to knit on in denial and trust that I can block it bigger if need be.

Never fear, sockpal, lombard street sock #2 is ready for the heel turn:

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I’m working steadily past my second sock syndrome symptoms. I have to admit, I still get a thrill out of each cable row, so it’s something of an encouragement to knit the other seven slightly-less-exciting rows in each repeat.

And finally, here’s the tiny 20-yard skein of my smooshy pink yarn, all balled up and ready to be swatched:

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Carrie was quite enchanted by my nostepinne, I think because it’s such a fun word to say!

Whew! See, I really can blog about things that are not related to potty training! ;)

Busy, Busy Week

Sarah General, Mystery Stole 3, Reading

I have absolutely no idea where the week has gone. None. All I know is that it’s already Thursday. Tomorrow, Clue #4 of the Mystery Stole comes out…and I’m not even halfway through Clue #1. Tomorrow, Denis’ parents are coming for the weekend. But tomorrow is also very important for one other reason…

The book – you know, The Book! – is going to be available!

I’m toying with the idea of going to the release party tomorrow night, so I can get the book as soon as possible. Would that be crazy?

Mystery Stole 3 Swatch

Sarah Mystery Stole 3

Here’s my swatch for the Mystery Stole:

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The bottom half is on US4/3.5mm needles, the top half (with the beads) is on US2/3mm needles. I think I’d ideally like to use the size in between…but all of my size 3 needles are currently in projects! (I apparently gravitate towards projects that are all the same gauge at the same time.)

Anyway. So I don’t know what to do. I prefer the looser look on the bottom, but I think it’s just a smidge too loose. Maybe I’ll finish up a baby sweater sleeve that’s currently on 3’s and swatch again today. I could always order another pair of needles, I suppose. I’ll try not to stress that I’m already 10 days behind everyone else. I’m a fast knitter, I can probably catch up!

The beading technique is pretty cool, though. You use a crochet hook to put them on as needed instead of stringing them all on before starting to knit. It’s a bit fiddly, especially considering how teeny-tiny (1.05mm!) the crochet hook is, but it’s also a bit addictive.

I’m Such A Joiner.

Sarah Mystery Stole 3

Partly because of the Yarn Harlot, and partly because I remember Julia doing it last year, I joined the Mystery Stole 3 knit-along.

Please don’t ask me why. I can’t for the life of me think of any place I might wear a lace-weight stole. But for some reason, the temptation of lace knitting, beads, and a project that I won’t know how it looks until it’s finished…I couldn’t resist.

Of course, I had neither the required lace weight yarn nor the required beads in my stash. So I visited a not-so-local local yarn shop in my area and swung by a bead shop on my way home. The color suggestions were black or white, but I wound up with a lovely green shade of Jaggerspun Zephyr. Off to swatch!