WIP Update

So, I've been surprisingly faithful to one project since last week's WIP Wednesday post. In fact, other than swatching for the Mystery Stole 3 KAL (more on that in a minute), I've only worked on my Molly Weasley Sleeves. Last week, I showed you this picture, but like I said then, that wasn't an accurate depiction of where I was on the project. This is a little more accurate picture of where I was: Since then, I've gotten to here: (And yes, I know this is a crap picture. I'm babysitting, and therefore can't really get everything up to Kris's studio with the good lighting.) I'm hoping that I will be able to finish this up sometime this weekend. I have 4 more rounds left to finish the sleeve on the right, there, and then I need to catch the other one up and finish it. Once that is done, I have to weave in the ends, and voila! On the recommendation of some of my knitting group buddies, I found a denim jacket at Old Navy's website, and I'll be attaching the sleeves to that instead of a sweater. I think they will look really cute with the denim. And the Mystery Stole - thank you all for your input and opinions. Most of you agreed with my feelings, which was that the Charcoal (which I had labeled as "Steel" in the pictures... *sigh*) was the better color. The bead opinion was pretty split, and I wasn't sure which I liked better, either, so I swatched: The bottom repeat has the #901 beads, the middle repeat is without beads, and the top has the #912 beads. You don't see them? Yeah, me either. It looks like they matched the yarn color a little TOO well. Bummer, because I really liked them. That's ok, though - I like the way that the #901's look. And I like the fabric I got on the US3's, so it looks like all I need to do now is wait until the first clue comes out! Think I can get the sleeves done by then? Here's hoping! ETA: And I completely forgot that I wanted to mention this! I saw on Annie Modesitt's blog (while looking for something else) that her husband Gerry has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which completely sucks, to be blunt about it. She has a pattern posted for the "Red Carpet Convertible", and she is using the sale of that pattern to help offset some of the expenses of Gerry's treatment. (If you remember the stories of the knitted Emmy dress last year, this is that pattern). So, if you have a couple of bucks, why not pop over there, pick up a gorgeous pattern, and help a knitter who is in a cruddy situation.

Mystery Stole 3 KAL Poll

So, I have 4 potential options for the yarn/bead combo for my Mystery Stole. I've got Zephyr silk/wool in two different colors, and 2 different colors of beads. I hoped that when they arrived, I'd have and instant "Aha!" moment and known which one to use. In truth, not so much the case. So, I'm turning to you for opinions. Here are your options (I'm posting two pictures so you can see each of the beads next to each of the yarn colors): So, what do you think? Oh, and if you are reading this in Bloglines, the poll doesn't show - if you want to vote, you'll have to click through to Blogger. Sorry about that!

Being Alive

So, to go along with the brand-new "WIP Wednesday" and the ongoing "Yarn Pr0n Friday", Carrie has suggested that Mondays become "Handspun Monday". So, here is my very first contribution: This is some Jacob Humbug (which I think means the mixed colors, but please correct me if I am wrong) that I picked up from Flying Fibers at Maryland Sheep and wool. I didn't get a picture of it before it was spun, because I started playing with it when we got back to the house Saturday night after day one of the festival, and it was completely spun up by Sunday night. This was the first time I have spun something and felt really good about how it was coming out. It's about a fingering weight, although I need to re-count my wraps to see how much yardage I have. It's not perfect, but it's overall the most balanced thing I've ever spun. I credit Cristi for helping me to figure out how to get my scotch tension set up a little better, which made my Ashford spin SO much easier! And you can all laugh at me for this one, but I've signed up for the 3rd Mystery Stole KAL, hosted (and designed) by Melanie over at Pink Lemon Twist. I've drooled at her "Leda's Dream" and "Scheherezade" patterns, and as they were the first and second Mystery Stole patterns, I can only imagine that this one will be equally as lovely. I'm still debating what yarn and beads I'm going to use, but I'm sure you'll see it here once I make that decision and as the stole progresses. And if you are wondering about the title for this post, I'm writing this as I watch the Tony Awards. I adore Broadway, and you'll frequently find me listening to some musical or another on my iPod. (I'm no mtwelovett, but I do have about 5 and a half days worth of showtunes on there...) There are a lot of shows that I can listen to anytime, that I can sing along with at the top of my lungs in the car, that I simply adore. The one song, though, that gives me chills every time I hear it, is "Being Alive" from Stephen Sondheim's Company. I love the performance of it by Patti LuPone from the Sondheim Celebration at Carnegie Hall back in, erm, 1990-ish. Tonight, Raul Esparza performed it, and it was amazing. It's such an incredible song, and he did just an incredible job with it - so much emotion and passion. CHILLS, I tell you. I hadn't ordered the cd of the cast album for this revival because I already have the ones from the original and the 1995 revival, but after that, I'm getting it.