February Tollway Tatters

 

We had a great Tollway Tatters Zoom meeting yesterday, with seven in attendance. It gave me a chance to finally get a good start on my Anastasia doily from Bonded with tatting - doilies by Laura Bziukiewicz. I had six or seven false starts with this one. I kept forgetting to join rings or tat sections of chain. 

Thinking that I might be having problems because of tatting with size 40 thread, I switched to size 20. With supreme confidence, I tatted three pattern repeats before realizing I hadn't joined the center rings. Apparently, thread size has nothing to do with my ability to follow a pattern. It's all in the concentration!

I'm using a new-to-me thread, Ariadna Muza. I ordered two colors, indigo and green. The balls have an incredible 910 yards for just under $10. So far, I like the thread. I'll have a better idea as my doily gets larger.

What good is new thread without a shuttle? This one is from NamiArt, the same shop that carries the thread.

I have several projects that I'm eager to start, so I decided I needed to spend some time finishing up what I already have going. I have two pattern repeats to go on my waffle stitch baby blanket. I'd like to finish this one this week.

I'm making good progress with my Equinox shawl by Lisa Overby. I'm finding that the metallic thread is not nearly as bothersome as it was at the beginning. Maybe my fingers are getting tough!

New pattern

 

I've spent a lot of time researching center tabs for crescent shaped shawls. I can't say I've worked a center tab very often, if at all, but apparently the way it's worked does make a huge difference in the neckline shaping. Watching videos on neckline shaping left me too tired to make a second attempt at the Birch Bark Canoe Shawlette. I'm sure I will try it again, but for now I've moved on to another pattern.

This pattern is Equinox by Lisa Overby, the designer of Reyna which I have knit several times. I'm really enjoying the pattern, but I'm questioning my choice of yarn. This is another Mary Maxim Festive Feet, Candy Cane Sparkle. The yarn looks really pretty, but that metallic thread is tough on the hands! It's hard to tell this early on, but it seems like the metallic thread is going to affect the drape of the knitting. 

I did re-start the center of Anastasia from Laura Bziukiewicz's new book, Bonded with tatting - doilies. I'm working with size 40 Lizbeth, inspired by my friend Sue who loves size 40! I do too, but I find that it takes me a while to get back into the groove with finer thread after working with size 20.

We're having a Tollway Tatters Zoom meeting this Saturday. Just visit our Facebook page if you'd like to join us. Sue has been setting up our monthly meetings and it has been great fun to meat tatters from around the world! We start at 9 a.m. Central Time, and tatting friends visit for as long as they can. Sometimes it's just for a few minutes. It's great to connect and see what others are working on!

Hmmm...

 

I'm not sure about this shawl. The pattern was easy enough to follow, but I don't think I care for the shaping at the neckline. This is the Birch Bark Canoe Shawlette from Todwick Studios. The pattern is free on Ravelry. 

I didn't read any of the project notes until I reached the lace edging section. I was a bit confused by the directions for the lace edging, but I found that the project notes were helpful. Several people commented that they didn't like the bump at the center of the neck edge. Of course I couldn't see what they were talking about, because that edge was on the needles. 

I'm sure there's a way to knit a crescent shaped shawl without that bump in the center. This is my first crescent shaped shawl, so I'll have to do some investigating. The lace edging isn't very lacy, nothing like the picture on the pattern page. It could be that I really need to get my blocking pins out and stretch the shawl into shape. I may do that later. For now, I think I'll move on to another project!

Still knitting

 

I really am on a knitting streak! I finished the Spiral Staircase Shawl by LizAnn Petch this morning. I knitted it in Soft Alpaca from Hobbii. Believe me, it is really soft!

I started another shawl when I got home from school. This one is Birch Bark Canoe by Todwick Studios. This time I'm using New Sky Light, a blend of alpaca, wool, and nylon, also from Hobbi. This yarn isn't nearly as soft as the Soft Alpaca, but the color is gorgeous!

My shuttles are wound for Anastasia in Laura Bziukiewicz's new book, Bonded with tatting - doilies. I did start this doily the other day, but I made a mistake at the end and didn't feel like taking out a ring. So, I snipped off what I had don and re-wound my shuttles. I've decided to work with size 40 thread for this one, and I need better light than we've had for the past few days.

Bad weather is predicted for the next two days. I have plenty to keep me busy... knitting, tatting, crocheting, baking... bring on the bad weather!

Finished!

 

I knew I was close, so I decided to knit rather than crochet last night so that I could finish my Pebble Arch Shawl by Karen Hoyle. This was a very enjoyable project knit in Mary Maxim Festive Feet sock yarn. I love the way the stripes swirl. This will be great for next Christmas!

Since I'm on a roll with knitting, I decided to start another shawl, Spiral Staircase by LizAnn Petch. This one is in Soft Alpaca by Hobbi. It feels so luxurious!

Keepin' busy

Time has been flying by, probably because I've been keeping busy tatting, knitting, crocheting, and watching YouTube videos. I've been watching lots of videos on mosaic crochet, and I'm seriously considering starting a new project!

I'm making good progress on my Pebble Arch Shawl by Karen Hoyle. This is such an easy project to pick up and work on for a few minutes or a few hours. I really think I could have finished this in a week if I had focused on finishing one project at a time.

Three more button ornaments are ready to decorate another felt tree. I'm trying to decide whether to tat two more or use these three on a smaller tree. Decisions, decisions!

I've now completed three pattern repeats of the waffle stitch baby blanket. Again, there are lots of YouTube videos showing how to work this stitch. For stitch count, I've been following Amanda Crochets. For the color sequence, I've been following the Mary Maxim pattern. I purchased the kit from Mary Maxim and I did try following the pattern, but I prefer the waffle stitch pattern from Amanda Crochets.

I have a whole series of projects lined up. I'm trying to rotate what I'm working on so that my hands and wrists move in different ways. I sure don't want to be slowed down by repetitive motion problems!

Baby waffle

 

Daughter Carol is going to be a grandma in July, which means I will be a great-grandma! Every baby needs lots of snuggly blankets, and this baby boy is going to have a nice, soft waffle stitch blanket from Grandma Diane. What else can I make between now and July? Time will tell!

Let it snow!

 

We didn't get nearly as much snow as was predicted.

However, we did get a good foot. I don't mind the snow, especially when I don't have to drive in it!

Students had e-learning days yesterday and today. Since I mainly do lunch supervision, I had two days to be creative.

This is my second felt Christmas tree. I think I'd like to have a dozen done for next Christmas. We'll see how that goes!