Something New on the Needles

I finished all the stuff I had on the needles. I'm not counting the sweater for Shannon I ripped completely out. Anyway, for a couple days I had empty needles. Well, this project has been waiting in the new project bin for a year. It is an entrelac shawl. The yarn is Noro Kochoran which is 50% wool, 30% Angora, 20% silk. I bought it a year and a half ago on Darryl's birthday when he pulled the 60% off needle out on his birthday at By Hand Yarn. I only bought five balls. What you see is one entire ball knitted up and a bit of another one. They had a shawl made up in the shop out of this yarn but I thought it was kinda big for me. So I bought less yarn and made the shawl a little more narrow. This yarn sells for $20.25 a ball and I bought five balls since the shawl I was looking at was made of seven balls. I fear I will have to buy more yarn without the 60% off. I figured I'd knit up three balls worth and see where I am at that point. Because of the color changes I'm not worried about dye lot.

I wasn't sure I'd like the technique. I took a quickie class at Stitches West last year and it easier than I thought it would be. But that was a while back so I did a practice swatch and liked it just fine. I cast on for the shawl. The woman at the yarn shop says you'll either love it or hate it. I love it. It's interesting enough not to be boring but easy enough to not require a lot of concentration once you get the hang of it. I figure I'll be fascinated for at least one more ball of yarn, maybe two. I'm kinda anxious to see how far the yarn will go. Besides only one project on the needles? We can't have that and I have two more I'm wanting to start soon. Would it surprise you to know one is socks?

Meet Miss 2010. She's tiny. She's delicate. She's a lady. How my mother-in-law continues to produce such beauties is beyond me. This is a pattern she made up herself. But she's intimidated by trying to crochet a sweater. She sure has the skills! I'm hoping one day soon she'll give that vest she's been looking at a try.

We had a lovely time at the Branson Christmas Do last Saturday. I forgot to take some pictures of Gabi, Mike and Sandi's puppy. She's a love. Darryl and I are totally enamored of her. She's a Golden Doodle and as sweet as they come. We think we may get a dog about her size in a year or so but the thought of dealing with another dog with a puppy in the house right now is overwhelming. So we will have to wait and see. Not to mention we have heard and seen photos of a "designer" dog that's a Great Doodle. Just imagine...