Lacy Goodness

Madli is progressing nicely. I'm on repeat 25 out of 31. Because I'm using Zephyr, which is a thinner yarn that the recommended, and I went down a needle size, I'm considering adding a few extra repeats to ensure that it isn't too short. This is only my second lace weight project and while I know things expand when blocked, I don't know how much or if it will be enough to make me happy. I'll make the final decision when I reach repeat 31, though.

When I picked up Madli after taking a few days off to start something new, I decided that the stitch markers between the 7 repeats were exceedingly annoying and took a risk, taking them all out except the first and last ones for the borders. Fearing that this experiment would end in disaster, I cast about for something to use for a lifeline and while I found some dental floss, I was at work and didn't have a needle with me. I didn't let the lack of a lifeline interfere with progress and knit bravely through the insecurity, happily without incident thus far. Yeah!

Madli has become my at work knitting because I couldn't wait to start this:

I love this shawl and I love the color. A shawl knit in the round is a good thing - no purling across increasingly longer rows. I'm glad I didn't finish Madli before starting this one because I can knit Madli at work and the Garden Shawl at home. This is a good thing because the rows for the Garden Shawl are already getting long and if I took it to work, it would be challenging to figure out where I was in the pattern if I had to put down in the middle of a row. Not to mention the fact that I'm finding the Garden Shawl more addicting than Madli and would be more likely to extend my breaks and lunch hour to squeeze out a few more stitches than I should.

In other news, this came home with me on Friday from the yarn store:

And, I signed up for a beginner spinning class on August 13. It's a three hour class that I'm hoping gives me a better start than the sad beginning I had this weekend when I attempted to engage the drop spindle without a person to demonstrate and no prior experience. I'm sure a teacher will be able to explain how much twist the fiber should have and how to draft the fiber in a way that doesn't generate sailor cursing or high blood pressure.

My kitten did try and explain that drafting wasn't difficult as she demonstrated how to separate the fiber, but I don't believe her, yet. She won't earn my confidence until she shows me some nicely plied yarn.

And because she hasn't been getting the face time the kittens have, here's my pup, Tater:

Comments

[c]

Ooooh, I love the red yarn. That's going to be a great shawl!

[Cordelia]

I love the kitten. At least you know you'll always have well-drafted fiber for your spinning!
Are you knitting through the entire Fiddlesticks catalogue? So jealous....

[jody]

I just wanted to say to a fellow Jody-with-a-Y knitter!

I love your Madli. After seeing your unblocked pics I'm tempted to try the pattern with a sock weight yarn and leaving it unblocked. Those pics make it look like the ribs are woven in and out of each other. I'd be interested in hearing if you think it would work.

[mamacate]

Oh my gosh, you're in big trouble with that kitty. Though I suppose it's good she's providing coaching at this critical juncture.

I think you're going to have to add some repeats on Madli, but what do I know?

[Cassie]

I'm laughing about the cat and the fiber - that picture is hysterical. I took a class to get started spindling a few years ago. With no one else to show me what to do, I held onto my spindle and fiber for months not really sure what to do. This really is the kind of thing that you should learn in person. And practice in private (because of the sailorisms).