Wednesday, February 22, 2012

YARN ALONG

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Joining with Ginny for this week's Yarn Along.




As you can see my abigail cardi
is back on the needles,  meeting
gauge and having the pattern
knit correctly. I am on row 37 and
can really see now how the pattern
is going to flow. I have to say
a big Thank You and send a hug
to all the wonderful women in
blogland that have made this
cardi possible because without
the help of amazing friends like
you I would be sitting in tears
with empty needles. Thank you!

I have started working on my
Christmas knitting [yes, I know
it is the beginning of Lent,
but Christmas really will
be here soon] and cast on a
cowl using alpaca lace . While
I love how baby soft this yarn
feels, it is taking me a little
time getting use to how fine
lace weight yarn really is, it's
fine!

On the reading front I am
almost finished with 
Coop . I like how Michael
Perry, the author,  draws
the reader in making them
part of his world. The words
he uses to paint a picture
of his childhood, his
life  as a married adult
and parent on a small
piece of land in Wisconsin
feel like he is just one
of the guy's sitting at the
kitchen table sharing stories
over a hot cup of coffee.
I like it! 
Posted by at
Labels:

46 comments:

  1. trishFebruary 22, 2012 at 5:41 AM

    I agree...Christmas knitting should be started now! Gorgeous yarn.
    Much love.

    ReplyDelete
  2. www.OhThePlacesWellRoll.comFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    Please. Don't mention Christmas. lol I still have yet to finish one from LAST Christmas!

    :)
    jen

    ReplyDelete
  3. HeatherFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:09 AM

    I loved reading Coop! And that lace weight yarn...wow...I am doing a lace pattern now, but using a much thicker yarn. It sure is pretty though!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ClaireFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:15 AM

    What a beautiful coloured yarn. It will look stunning. That sounds like a really interesting book, something to hold your attention. I'll have to keep my eyes open for it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. simonaFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    Nice! You're knitting two projects at one time! You go girl :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. LindaFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:20 AM

    I love the colour of your lace weight yarn, so gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  7. *kateFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:24 AM

    I love the color of your yarn! I should get my act together to start Christmas projects too but I'm just not that organized :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. karenFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:39 AM

    I'm thrilled it is back on the needles AGAIN!! Just think of the lovely sweater you will one day be wearing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. GailFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:39 AM

    Ooooh, that cowl is going to be lovely. Gorgeous color!

    I agree with your assessment of Coop - I'm really enjoying it too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. CherylFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:56 AM

    That sounds like my kind of book. Good for you starting the Christmas knitting. So true how it sneaks up. I have such plans each year....

    ReplyDelete
  11. EMMAFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:01 AM

    Beautiful colour yarn. Book sound very interesting indeed. Thanks for the reminder - it's never to early to start christmas knitting.

    ReplyDelete
  12. KristenFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:07 AM

    You're so smart to start your Christmas knitting now :) Your cardi will be beautiful and thanks for the book rec - it's right up my alley these days!

    ReplyDelete
  13. JoyFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:13 AM

    love the wine-colored alpaca lace! My very favorite cowl is a laceweight qiviut. I definitely intend to make that pattern again so I have a few other laceweights waiting in the wings. I just bought 2 skeins last week with Christmas knitting in mind. I probably won't start for another month or so because I'm enjoying knitting for myself, but I know that time is coming soon!

    ReplyDelete
  14. EllenFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:23 AM

    What a lovely color for your lace project and yes, it's fine. I find that I sometimes wish I had larger needles or better eyes. So glad, Tracey, that your gray cardi is working out better and that you feel better about it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. NadjaFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:36 AM

    The alpaca yarn is beautiful! I am still terrified of lace weight and sock weight yarns. I tend toward the Aran and Heavy Worsted myself, something I can actually feel between my fingers!

    ReplyDelete
  16. EmilyFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:42 AM

    Hooray! So glad your cardi is back in the works! :) You can do it!!

    Oh the lace yarn is so pretty. I think getting started on Christmas knitting now is a good idea.

    ReplyDelete
  17. ErinFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:53 AM

    Beautiful, beautiful yarn.

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownFebruary 22, 2012 at 8:04 AM

    I just said the other day I need to start thinking about ideas for Christmas. My husband thought I was nuts. But I'd rather start working on things now so that when December 1st comes I don't have tons of ideas but only 1 or 2 things completed! I love the yarn you are using for both projects!

    ReplyDelete
  19. JenFebruary 22, 2012 at 8:24 AM

    I think starting Christmas knitting now is very wise.

    Beautiful yarn, Tracey. Can't wait to see both projects as they progress.

    ReplyDelete
  20. stephFebruary 22, 2012 at 8:38 AM

    Oh, Abigail!!! You are looking mighty fine!!!! (a tribute to preserverance!!!)
    Love the color of the cowl!!! (And as always, your pictures are gorgeous!!!)

    ReplyDelete
  21. MelissaFebruary 22, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    I am already looking through patterns and yarn and trying to decide on Christmas gifts as well. I try to either give hand made gifts (my me or someone else) or gifts that will inspire creating...this takes a while :) I'm so glad you didn't give up on your cardigan. I'm working on a top down one now (my first), so I like to think we are suffering...I mean getting through this together. The yarn for the cowl is gorgeous! Such a rich color.

    ReplyDelete
  22. UnknownFebruary 22, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    That is a perfect description of Coop. I am proud of how far your Abigail has come. The yarn is so gorgeous, Lace weight is definitely fine. The end result will be beautiful, but the process can be long. So many teeny tiny stitches.

    ReplyDelete
  23. sylviaFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:07 AM

    Happy Yarn Along Tracey! Ah, Coop sounds like a book for me, LOL. I know you recommended it to me already, might have to add it to my list!
    Congrats on going on with the Abigail cardi! Can't wait to see it's progress. I'll keep you posted on how the Puffin yarn reacts to blocking! Have a lovely day!

    ReplyDelete
  24. ElizabethFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    Two beautiful projects. And I had to chuckle at the Christmas knitting as I have started my list and collecting patterns and yarns. Coop is on my reading list. I think I may move it to the top.

    Thanks for stopping by for a blog visit today.

    ReplyDelete
  25. come on in xFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:12 AM

    ooo, that yarn is sooo good. I'm starting christmas now too, I'm glad I'm not the only one!
    http://steadyfootprints.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sarah ~ Crafts from the CwtchFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Loving both of your projects - the Abigail cardi is such a lovely design.

    I'm very impressed that you've started your Christmas knitting already :)
    x

    ReplyDelete
  27. Lori annFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    hooray! oh tracey, i'm so happy for you, i knew you would get this cardi sorted, it is not the boss of you! it's going to work up beautifully and be on you before you know it. such pretty lace wool too!

    i am really hoping we take a family trip this year in place of gifts! we're thinking on it... :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. La ChiliFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:52 AM

    Love the colors of the yarns!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Rosina {Rosy ~ Posy}February 22, 2012 at 11:02 AM

    Love the color of your yarn. So pretty and way to go on getting a head start on your christmas knitting! I should probably do that to so I'm not in a big hurry at the last minute *grin*. Happy knitting :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. CynthiaFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:09 AM

    I am not organized enough to think of Christmas yet so good on you. And that alpaca is seriously lovely. Glad your cardi is on it's way. And, I know I said it before but I loved reading Coop (as well as his book Population: 485).

    ReplyDelete
  31. Conservative Knit MomFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    I love your projects-- the colors are just beautiful! Wow a cowl of lace weight. I am really envious at how far along you are on your cowl--laceweight is tough! I tried lace weight once-- I just couldn't do it. Glad to see you are knitting on your cardigan and you had some help along the way-- I haven't ever seen that pattern before but I really like the look. Can't wait to see the finished knit!

    ReplyDelete
  32. (lia)February 22, 2012 at 12:06 PM

    That lace yarn looks gorgeous. You take such good pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  33. amanda {the habit of being}February 22, 2012 at 12:10 PM

    yay! glad to know the abigail cardi is back in the rotation!

    ReplyDelete
  34. ErinFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    Loving that the cardi is back on the needles! Great color!

    ReplyDelete
  35. angieFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:52 PM

    That book sounds great, I'm adding it to my list. You are soooooo good starting your Christmas knitting! I always wish I had started now around December 15th.

    ReplyDelete
  36. JacquiFebruary 22, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    Oh - a book i would like!
    I love your beautiful lace cowl. I will be starting somw Christmas knitting as my next project.
    Glad your cardi is sorted too. So great to have lots of help in this blog village our ours xxx

    ReplyDelete
  37. AngelaFebruary 22, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    That cardi is beautiful. Coop sounds great. Congrats to you for getting started on Christmas! Smart woman!
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  38. purplepearFebruary 22, 2012 at 3:19 PM

    Love the colour of your yarn, and still keen to read that book that I've heard many people talk about. One day!,maybe soon as winter draws closer. Hope it's smooth running now with your cardi.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Kim February 22, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    What a lovely colouR!!! I have started to think about Christmas, but you are ahead of me by casting on already...you go!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. house full of jaysFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    I'm not ready to think about Christmas knitting but you are very wise to start early!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Baby By The SeaFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    Be still my heart - the merlot colored lace cowl is going to be lovely. Love the picture of it on your needles.

    ReplyDelete
  42. KylieFebruary 23, 2012 at 1:00 AM

    The cowl yarn is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  43. A Faithful JourneyFebruary 23, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    That red yarn is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Shannon BreenFebruary 23, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    Beautiful yarn color! :)

    ReplyDelete
  45. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2012 at 3:56 PM

    Beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. debby emadianFebruary 24, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    The alpaca lace is beautiful and I have the same plan for beginning Christmas stocking fillers soon...to avoid panic later....
    Deb

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)