Final Ribbon Post

For those of you who are tired of reading about the fair, you're in luck. This is my final post on the subject. Below I have two red ribbon scarves, both patterns designed by Debbie Bliss. The first one, Inishowen is from her Donagal Tweed booklet, the second, Cables And Lace, from her Pure Cashmere booklet.

Inishowen as displayed at the fair



Inishowen resting on my plant table at home

Cables & Lace as displayed at the fair

Cables & Lace resting on my plant stand at home



OMGoodness!!

I have one more red ribbon post, but it will have to wait til tomorrow, because I have exciting (and rather unexpected) news. Today was the last day of the fair, and Dave and I spent most of our day there. He was there to broadcast, then later, team up with Zeke to emcee the Paris Idol singing competition. We arrived early so we could visit the craft exhibit building. Today was the day when best in show ribbons are awarded for each catagory. These ribbons are given based on the number of votes given by the visitors to the exhibit. I'm am greatly honored to announce that I won best in show for one of my ruffled scarves! Wow! How amazing is that?!

Red Ribbon Post #2

My next red ribbon item is an afghan, made from the Ten Stitch Blanket pattern.  Ten Stitch is a free Ravelry download, designed by Frankie Brown.  This pattern shows off those self-striping yarns to their fullest advantage.  The designer uses Noro for the blanket, pictured in the pattern, but with six cats in the house, an acrylic yarn is more practical.  I used Lion Brand's Tweed Strips in the color, Tundra.

Ten Stitch as displayed at the fair





Ten Stitch lounging on my front porch glider




Ten Stitch folded and ready to go



When Ten Stitch first came off the needles, I must admit, I was a little underwhelmed.  The blanket is worked from the center out, with never more than ten stitches on the needles.  Short rows are used to turn each corner, and stitches are picked up and knitted together to join each new edge to the last one (it makes more sense when reading the pattern).  Because of the inside out way this blanket is knitted, the edges have a tendancy to constrict, leaving the middle looking puckered.  Not to worry.  Blocking will always take care of that little problem, but that was my problem.  Acrylic yarn can't be blocked.  At least that's what I thought until I happened upon a thread in the yarn forum on Ravelry.  I discovered that acrylic can, indeed be blocked, it just can't be wet blocked the way wool can.  Using the instructions from Beadknitter's blog and my steam iron, I was able to "kill" the acrylic yarn, enabling the edges of my blanket to lay flat and smooth.  As you can see from the last photo, I could have steamed it more, but I was a little scared.  Once acrylic is killed, the new form is permanent.  The good new is..well, the new form is permanent! :)

First Red Ribbon Post

The rest of this week, I'll be showing my red ribbon projects.  I was going to save this one for last, but I just can't.  This Shawl truly is my pride and joy.  The pattern, designed by Susanna IC, can be found in the first issue of Jane Austen Knits, a magazine dedicated to regency inspired patterns.  I knit this with Pace, a fingering weight sock yarn, put out by Universal Yarn Inc.  I have to confess, I was a little worried when it first came off the needles.  I've knit very few lace projects, and was unfamiliar with their tendancy to curl and bunch.  I soon discovered that, through the miracle of blocking, lace projects come alive.  I've included a few glamour shots of this shawl, because I love it so much. 

This shawl was awarded a red ribbon at this year's fair.

Dave took this picture of me posing with my Georgiana.  I love the way the lace pops against the dark shirt I'm wearing.



Georgiana, resting on the plant stand on my front porch.  This picture makes me think of gentle breezes, and Spring.

Posing for a Ravelry shot.

I really enjoyed taking these outdoor pictures. This may be the beginning of a new hobby.  Posing and photographing knitted items. :)

Blue Ribbon Post

The Red River Valley Fair has opened, and still going strong, but the awards for the craft exhibit entries have already been given.  You really never know what will catch the judges eyes.  As I've stated earlier in my blog (way too many times), I've been halted by a knitters' block for most of the year.  Looking for inspiration, I stumbled upon a YouTube video, explaining how to knit the ruffled scarves that have become so popular.  These are actually very easy, because all you have to do, is open the lacy yarn, and just knit the top row of loops together with a simple garter stitch.  At last, I'd found the perfect instant gratification, easy-to-finish project, to get me over my knitters' block. I picked up a skein of the brand of ruffling yarn sold by Hobby Lobby, and began.  It was so much fun watching the ruffles form as I worked, and before I knew it, I had finished my first project since Christmas! There was only one problem...it became an addiction, and before I knew it, I had become the proud owner of three ruffled scarves. :)  When I was picking out items to enter, I just had to include them.  I know they were easy, but they're so different from anything I'd ever entered, that I couldn't resist.  I wasn't sure if such easy projects would bring ribbons, but I thought they'd look pretty in the display either way.  Was I ever wrong! All three of these beauties, along with a pair of bulky boot socks, earned blue ribbon awards. 

I wish you could see the detailing on these socks.  They're my favorite pair I've ever made.

I'll be posting my red ribbon projects throughout the week.  I want to include some of my own photography I took for my ravelry page.

Our Own LYS!!

I'm so excited!  While Dave and I were out running errands, we passed by a little shop called Ewe-nique Creations of Paris.  My heart began to beat a little faster, because I know that any shop with a "Ewe" in the title, has to either be a store for people obsessed with little sheep figurines or a LYS (or local yarn shop for my non-Ravelry member readers).  After we finished our errands, we circled back by, and sure enough, it's a yarn shop!!  The store, located on Bonham street, just off the square, is brand new, and still in the process of stocking, but I couldn't resist a quick browse and a conversation with the owner.  Dave pulled up a chair in the bored husbands' section for a visit with her husband, while I buried my hands in soft wool awesomeness.  So far, she carries mostly Cascade yarns (which I love!) and she also stocks Knitpicks needle tips, cables, and whole sets, including the new Sunstruck blond wood.  Since I have three different sets of KP needle sets, I didn't need any needle tips, so I just passed them by.  Ha! Surely you didn't believe that blatant lie?  Of course I picked up a pair of Sunstruck tips, but only one!  I also purchased a hank of Cascade Heritage Silk fingering weight yarn for the next shawl I want to knit.  For some reason, I've become obcessed with lace knitting lately.

My yarn and needle tips.  Isn't this the prettiest red ever?

A close-up of her business card.  So cute!

Busy, Busy Day

Today was a work day at the theater.  Dave dropped me off on his way to work, and I spent the bulk of the day helping paint the set.  This is the first time I've ever helped paint a set, and I had so much fun! There was lots of laughter, and even some practical joking (sorry Alan). I will be helping with props, and costume changes for this show.  I'll do my best not to let anyone down, because I want to be allowed do this again in the future.  When I got home, Kim and I went for our walk, then it was grocery shopping time.  Finally, I got a minute to sit and write on my blog. 
Next Satureday, I'll be taking my knitted items to the fair for display and judging.  I've managed to finish my blanket, several scarves, and a lace shawl I'm especially proud of.  I can hardly wait til the judging is over, so I can post pictures of it. 

Hummers!

Done!

Sometimes being a night owl has its advantages.  In these overnight hours, as my husband and cats slept, I finished another project.  The blanket I've been knitting (off and on, anyway) is done! That means, so far, I have 4 scarves, a pair of slipper socks, and now, a blanket, ready to enter the craft exhibit.  Not too bad, for somebody who struggled with low energy and lack of motivation all year.  I'll be giving more detailed descriptions, along with photos, after the judging is complete.

Maybe, Just Maybe...

I'm getting to the end of my knitter's block.  I started crocheting a baby blanket for a friend of mine back in March.  Since the baby wasn't due until August, like most of my other projects, I had put it to the side.  I've been or crocheting a row or two here and there on several different projects, but never focusing on any of them. That all changed when my friend had her baby early.  I got that blanket out, and didn't stop until I finished it.  There's no way I can properly discribe how happy it made me to finish a project.  I'm hoping this is the beginning of me getting my motivation back.  I hesitate to get my hopes up too high because I know myself so well, but at least some measure of hope is now there.