IRISH FOR THE IRISH

Nothing like seeing the finished sweater on the person for whom it was meant. I'm extremely pleased and so it appears is Keith.
We had a too short long weekend visit with him and my sister. Good food, good wine, good gin, and good laughs.

Discipline

This is the result of discipline. This sweater has been hanging around since the fall of 2005. I just wasn't able to get the pattern programmed into my brain. I stashed it away for months at a time and discovered lace knitting during that time. A close friend started her second Aran sweater a couple of weeks ago. I decided to pull this guilt whispering project out of it's bag. The most amazing thing happened. I no longer needed the pattern! My lace knitting had not only disciplined my brain but it actually sharpened my ability to "read" my knitting. I also kept myself from touching, starting, or looking at any of my lace knitting. Sometimes my hands ached. I'm not sure whether this was psychosymatic or physical. THE ARAN IS OFF MY BACK! My sister and brother-in-law are coming this weekend and this big bad boy is going home with them.
From now on, if I get the desire to knit for someone, I'm NOT going to TELL. I hate deadlines of any kind, but especially knitting deadlines. This beauty took me a year of guilt and exactly ten days of actual knitting. I will always remember it fondly because of what it taught me.
 

MORE LACE

Icarus/Blue Sky Alpaca
Icarus/Silk City Bamboo
Sea Silk/Storm Shawl

Mystery Stole #2

LION & LAMB TURTLENECK

Eldest Daughter and I couldn't find a pattern that had everything, so we created our own with the help of the very handy Sweater Wizard. Lion and Lamb is absolutely a delight to work with and the color is a rich chocolate brown with hand dyed variations. Delicious!
 

KIRI

Guess I'm hooked. I love knitting lace. This is the Kiri. I found a wonderful local shop that buys fleece from local kids who raise sheep. She then spins it and dyes it. This gorgeous red is similar to Koigu, but much more special.
This lovely shawl is for my sweet auntie El. Mom will surprise her with it when she returns home in 10 days.
Now I'm on to fashion something lacey and wonderful for me with the new SeaSilk from Fleece Artist Handmaiden. It is gorgeous stuff. 

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

Cardigan knit from the top down - Lorna's Lace Shepherd worsted
Infant pullover with side neck opening - Fixation Cotton - Elvis Buttons
Shawl collared jacket - odds and ends
Debbie Bliss Bolero from Junior Knits - Artyarns Supermerino
Split neck Baby pullover from Last Minute Gifts - Cotton Sock yarn of unknown origin
Roll Neck Raglan pullover, knit from top down, size 8 boys - Lorna's Lace worsted

  

  

  

  

  

A FLOCK OF LITTLE SWEATERS

  

DF KAL

This is my first successful lace project. Thank you Sivia and all who are participating in this KAL. I had plenty of false starts and most certainly would have quit, were it not for this generous group of lace knitters.
The lovely model is my dear mother, all 4'11" of her. Nothing is quite so satisfying as hearing the squeals of delight from the recipient of one of your finished projects.

I haven't been idle, just an idle blogger. I do have lots of finished object pics to post. Perhaps tomorrow.

Diamond Fantasy Shawl

Check Out Sivia's Other Designs

Yarn from ColorSong

 

ANONYMOUS

I guess the only way to answer anonymous comments is to post. So this info is for the most recent anonymous commenter. I didn't write a pattern for the cable purse, and yes 1 skein of Malabrigo is plenty.

TRADITIONAL TRADITION

WE ALWAYS MAKE SPRITZ COOKIES AND SAND TARTS. THE SAND TARTS ARE FROM A RECIPE FROM MY HUSBAND'S FAMILY. DEPENDING ON YOUR HERITAGE, YOU EITHER SLICE THESE COOKIES OR ROLL THEM OUT AND CUT THEM. AS YOU CAN SEE WE ARE THE SLICING KIND OF FAMILY. THE SPRITZ COOKIES AND GINGERBREAD ARE TRADITIONS WE STARTED WHEN OUR GIRLS WERE LITTLE.  

GINGERBREAD

THESE ARE OUR TRADITIONAL GINGERBREAD COOKIES. NOTICE THE CHRISTMAS DINOSAURS AND OUR HOLIDAY SHARKS.