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Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Yarn Along - Very Mysterious Indeed

When we last saw our intrepid [knitter] she was bemoaning the fact that she was going to run out of dark gray yarn before she even started the bind off row.  There were a few options for how she could "fix" this including finding "a tiny bit more of that dark roving" even though she was really pretty sure she'd already found it all...

It took me a day or two to get up my nerve to go look.  As I walked into the Wool House, the very first thing I saw, sitting right on top of the big yarn basket, smack dab in the middle of the room, the basket where I know every skein of yarn...was a small skein of perfectly matching yarn.
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Excuse me?  Where did that come from???
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20 has bailed me out of several knitting crises...but he's up at the house watching hockey.
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Sock Monkey???


I love sock monkeys.  I've wanted to make one for years, but was pretty sure knew I'd never get it done.  Guess what Auntie Reg found in her stash?  A kit that had belonged to John's mother!  She wasn't sure how old it was, but it had to be at least 25 years old and could be as old as 50.  She made him for me :-D.   He's very special and now to find out he can spin...



I love how the colors match Liddy.  I've thought of this shawl as hers because of that and the fact I've knit it with her, mostly sitting out in the yard with her as she's learned to eat big girl food (grass) and also hiding out in the house when it was too hot to go outside.  Although...sitting covered up in a wool shawl with a wool sweater growing next to me using me as a pillow...not that cool ;-).


Okay, so it seems like everything's back on track.  I know exactly where I am in the pattern.  I distinctly remember that I have one more row before I start the bind off.  All I have to do is knit that row with the remaining original dark gray yarn and then bind off with the new yarn.  
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That row is already done.  I'm ready to bind off.  And I have what looks to be plenty of yarn left.
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Excuse me?  Where did that come from???
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This mystery knitalong has been mysterious for sure!


What I learned new with this project - the Icelandic bind off.  Loved it!


Before blocking.  Liddy is showing the proper amount of amazement and interest.  You can trust her with knitting.  You just can't trust her with the needles ;-).


As always, I love to block.  I decided to try using floral pins.  They come in a big bag, the double prongs are handy and they are easy to see if you drop one on the floor and wouldn't stick into your foot if you couldn't find it ;-).  I think they worked great!


I knew the patterning was pretty, but I didn't realize it was going to be this pretty.  A very enjoyable mystery knitalong!


The shawl turned out perfect.  All the stewing over yarns and colors and while it is all Jacob yarn, it's from three completely different fleeced Jacobs, worrying I'd knit the first couple of rows of the dark gray too tight...not to worry.  Now if it would just cool off so I could try it on!


One last picture of Monkey...because you can never have too many pictures of a sock monkey sitting out on the porch with some knitting :-).

Books...I've loved everyone's suggestions for books, especially sheep books (keep them coming!).  I'd completely forgotten about Shepherdess: Notes From The Field by Joan Jarvis Ellison.  I re-read that this week and loved it.  

In looking for a link, Amazon says I purchased that book in 2008.  I'm pretty sure I received that as a gift!?  Then, I see a book suggestion on that same screen that looks interesting.  I click on it - a book I am quite sure I've never seen before - and it says I purchased that one in 2005.  I don't see it on my book shelf...

Very mysterious indeed!

Joining in with Ginny...




40 comments:

deborah said...

Oh, your project is beautiful! I only knit dishcloths, but I enjoy them.

And Sock Monkey. He is adorable! What a fun gift!

I agree ~you can always take one more picture!!

Coming over from Yarn Along. I recently discovered it and linked up today. It is so fun!

Shirley said...

That shawl is absolutely beautiful! It does match miss Liddy quite well too.

Lori Skoog said...

Love the colors...love the pattern. You are too talented!!!!!

The Dancing Donkey said...

That is a very beautiful piece, nice job:).

Donna said...

That shawl is just gorgeous. Your pins are a good idea. I just love the picture of Liddy peeking her head through the railing with the shawl!

Tyche's Minder said...

That is stunning.

Fiona said...

That is so beautiful....Fiber festival entry for 2016?

Far Side of Fifty said...

Your shawl is stunning! Liddy and her friend the Sock Monkey are really cute! :)

mamasmercantile said...

What a truly beautiful shawl and such a great idea to use floral pins for blocking, I will be giving that a try.

Tombstone Livestock said...

Love your sock monkey, one of my felting books has directions for needle felting one. Your phantom knitter is curled up in a corner somewhere reading your books. I keep saying I need to move again or at least empty everything out room by room. somewhere here is a Christmas garland complete with lights and ornaments, yet I have not been able to find it, just a picture of it over the bay window. I finally found my other Ashford drive band.

MarmePurl said...

I can't wait to spin/knit with my sheep. Maybe I will even have a little lambie sweater-to-be by my side to do so someday. Maybe.
The shawl is lovely Sara. Another job well done.

I need orange said...

"Although...sitting covered up in a wool shawl with a wool sweater growing next to me using me as a pillow...not that cool ;-)."

Not cool, precisely, but excellent. :-) :-) :-)

Gorgeous shawl, adorable lamb....................... :-)

Michelle said...

A deep mystery, indeed, but with a happy ending -- my favorite kind! And, um, you "LOVE.TO.BLOCK"?!? Can I send you a couple FOs to block and ship back to me???

thecrazysheeplady said...

Move to Kentucky! :-D

thecrazysheeplady said...

You will!

thecrazysheeplady said...

Send 'em on! :-D

Michelle said...

Seriously???

Auntie Reg said...

I love the picture of Liddy looking at the shawl. The colors match her wee little head and ears. If and when she moves to the barn and you need to have a warm lamb next to you the shawl will look like Liddy is there . Great job. Your are a trooper to have all the wool around you in this extreme heat.

thecrazysheeplady said...

Sure, but why don't you like to block? It's not hard, doesn't take very much time and you get to see your wadded up kleenex lace shawl turn into a beautiful swan!

YarnKettle said...

Oh my goodness, that shawl is beautiful! (The sheep looks lovely too.)
Liddy looking at the shawl is perfect. But the shot of her lips coming at that dangling end, it made me flinch. But then I've been burned more than once by a cat that likes to "floss". And by floss I mean chew through yarn.

Beautiful!!

Sheepmom said...

LOVE the shawl! What a lovely pattern and the bind off is really neat! Liddy says "Are you going to make a shawl from me, momma?". Floral pins - smart! You have the best kind of mysterious - where did that come from? - I have the other kind... where did that go? ;-)

Dreaming said...

The shawl is beautiful. I, too, love the pattern and color.

Alice said...

The first photo is card worthy, please mark it as so. :-)

Anonymous said...

Oh, my goodness, Sara. Your yarns and your knitting are SO very beautiful and cozy...just perfect! I love, love the way your different colors came together in this shawl. And I love blocking, too! I feel so much better about my knitting after I get all the kinks blocked out! Ha! *hugs* :)

Michelle said...

It takes me FOR.EV.ER. And since the only place I have to do it is on the floor, my knees and back get reeeeeally cranky....

T.L. Merrybard said...

That is a very beautiful shawl, and I love how the natural colours go together. So calming. That Liddy! Not sure she is ever ogoing to end up living out with the other sheep. Think she is going to be a mama's girl all her life. :)

Wol 'n Draad said...

That is one amazingly stunning shawl!!
And is'nt it just as amazing that things allways somehow (sock monkeys, faeries, you name it:-)) ) turn out just as they should?
That definately is magic and mysterious! :-))
Enjoy your beautiful shawl!
Love, Ineke

Henny Penny said...

Such a lovely lovely shawl! I wish so much that I could knit or crochet. You know, I have always wanted a sock monkey too. He is adorable. Glad you found the yarn. :)

thecrazysheeplady said...

HAHAHAHAHA :-D

Susan said...

Absolutely gorgeous...of course and YES, I see a Liddy shawl in the future. I can tell she approves. 'Stuff' appearing and disappearing......ain't it great! May have to get that pattern, will check to see if it is available on Ravelry. floral pins look good, I've always used wires and then sewing pins but the floral's would be stronger I think. Cheers to you!

Marcy said...

What a beautiful shawl! Guess it was meant to be. Love the narrative of Liddy and the eating of wool. Too cute for words.

Unknown said...

This is quite gorgeous! It makes me wish I could knit. It's just so delicate looking and the texture is beautiful.

http://www.divinedebris.com

Lisa Smith said...

Congratulations on your lovely shawl, Sara! You are a Super Woman/Knitter to be sure... I am amazed at how you do everything you do and still have time for knitting and book reading! I'm always curious as to how other knitters block their finished projects; floral pins are a great idea. And what a cute sock monkey you have, and how talented too!

Lisa Smith said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cheryl West said...

Your shawl, colors and design, are so beautiful and of course Liddy wants to say so too. I hope you win prizes for this.

Lucy Bowen said...

Mysterious indeed!! Your shawl is gorgeous.

Tombstone Livestock said...

If I were younger I just might have done that

LannieK said...

♡ Simply, gorgeous! Another sheep~2~shawl disply of impressive talent ♡
And it is Extra Special since it matches Liddy, and Liddy helped all during the project.
I love sock monkeys - Yours is too cute!

sophy0075 said...

Your shawl is beautiful, and it matches Liddy perfectly. When the weather cools off (and thank goodness for autumn!) you must photograph Liddy in the shawl. After all, if Maisie can be made to wear a hat (for a nanosecond) Liddy will probably enjoy sporting the shawl. Especially if you offer her Doritos ;)

Rachel Berry said...

What a beautiful shawl! The pattern really complements the gorgeous yarn. Can I suggest a really good book that you must read? "Counting Sheep : a celebration of the pastoral heritage of Britain" by Philip Walling. ISBN 978 1 84668 504 0 I got my copy from Amazon.

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