Knitting and tatting

I finished my Sanditon MKAL last night and blocked it this morning. I'm very pleased with it, and I think I may knit another.

One of the ladies in the knit-along asked where knitters could find other knit-alongs. It turns out there's a page on Ravelry called MKAL Fanatics. Of course I had to browse! I found a link to Liz Chandler's Heart Face Scrubby. I had seen this earlier in the month, but I was too involved in other projects to check it out. This was a fast and easy knit, and I got to thinking that this would be a great way to sample knitting stitches.

I bought this book years ago, thinking it would be great to work my through it.

I started with January 1, and my knitting looked nothing like the picture.

I Googled the pattern name and found a YouTube video tutorial. The pattern was pretty straightforward, but once again my knitting did not match the picture.

I decided not to spend any more time with trying to figure out what the pattern was and moved on to January 2. It's hard to see with the variegated yarn, but once again my knitting did not resemble the photo.

Moving on the January 3, I felt like I was close to knitting something similar to the picture, but it's still not quite right.

I decided to do some research on the book and found that the edition I have does not have errata online. I've emailed the publisher to see if I can get corrections, but I believe the book is out of print, so I don't have great expectations. I have other pattern books, so I guess I'll move on to them.

Dave and I went wine tasting yesterday, and I managed to tat a Doodle Ice Drop in the car. It's in size 20 Lizbeth #694, Harvest Orange Med. The shuttle is a Doodle Art shuttle from Dave Stanbrough of Grizzly Mountain Arts.

After finishing my knitting experiments today, I tatted another Doodle Ice Drop in size 20 Lizbeth #695, Bright Orange. Yes, that is another beautiful Doodle Art shuttle from Grizzly Mountain Arts!

Girls' day out

I went out to lunch today with two of my daughters and my sister-in-law. It was the first time we've done something like this, and we had a wonderful time.

I managed to finish Clue 5 of the Sanditon MKAL before we headed out. Clue 6, the final clue, is due out tomorrow. I'm excited to see how this is finished off!

After Alison headed home, I worked on my Linens and Threads Mystery Sampler. I've switched to a Q Snap frame. Using a scroll frame with a stand was too awkward for me. This is much easier to handle. I still have quite a bit to stitch from the January section. I'm hoping to finish with January before the March section is released!

My eyes got pretty tired after a couple hours of stitching, so I tatted a Doodle Ice Drop in size 20 Lizbeth #691, Mocha Brown Med. The shuttle is from Veronica of Tatting Shuttles on Etsy. I love the texture of the wood!

Another busy day

I sure hope the three day weekend will help put an end to this flu bug. There aren't enough subs available, so today schedules were juggled and subs were fit in wherever possible. I subbed in fifth grade this morning and then headed up to the high school. I am tired and ready for the long weekend!

I did have time before and after school to do a little tatting, and of course I chose to tat a Doodle Ice Drop! This one is in size 20 Lizbeth #693, Linen Med. I don't remember where the shuttle is from, but it was lovely to use!

Winter wonderland

We woke up to a beautiful snow display this morning, our greatest snowfall this winter. I love snow!

School was cancelled because of road conditions, so you would think I'd have accomplished a lot. I didn't. I watched a few episodes of Inspector Lewis, did a little knitting, and a little tatting. It was a very relaxing day!

This Doodle Ice Drop is in size 20 Lizbeth #686, Seagreen Lt. The shuttle is by Middy Clark of The Knotted Vine.

My second Doodle of the day is in size 20 Lizbeth #690, Mocha Brown Lt. I used another teardrop shuttle by Middy Clark.

Maybe I relaxed a little too much today. I'm seriously considering going to bed early!

One more

Today was another one Ice Drop day. I'm enjoying subbing at the elementary school this week, but it does cut into my tatting time! This Doodle Ice Drop is in size 20 Lizbeth #685, Evergreen Dk. The shuttle is another beauty from Middy Clark of The Knotted Vine. I feel very lady-like using teardrop shuttles!

I'm halfway through this week's clue on my Sanditon MKAL. Stitch markers have saved me a lot of grief!

Just one

Today was a very busy day. I subbed in the morning, did my job in the afternoon, and then had a couple of high school girls come over to help me clean after school. I'm beat, but I know I'll be able to enjoy the three day weekend that's coming!

I'm happy that I was able to complete a Doodle Ice Drop today. This one is in size 20 Lizbeth #683, Leaf Green Light. The teardrop shuttle is from Middy Clark of The Knotted Vine. I do love these little teardrop shuttles, but they take a bit of time to get used to because of the back end being open. Still, how can anyone resist such a pretty shuttle?

Making mistakes

Today seemed to be filled with mistakes. I forgot to put glass gems in my tatting bag, so I was only able to tat two partial Doodle Ice Drops. At least I had time to finish them when I got home! This one is in size 20 Lizbeth #673, Terra Cotta. The shuttle is from Middy Clark of The Knotted Vine.

I'm glad that I had two shuttles wound, or I would have been really bored while supervising students! This Ice Drop is in size 20 Lizbeth #677, Lime Green Medium.

I'm making pretty good progress with my Sanditon MKAL. I have seven rows completed of Clue 5, but the edge stitches are wrong on rows 2, 4, and 6. I'm leaving it. There are many mistakes in this shawl that I'm sure most people would never notice. I'm enjoying the knit, and that's what matters!