Blue

It seems that my purple possession has given way for a bluer-hued preoccupation! As I gathered all the things I wanted to blog about together for photos, I realized that I've inadvertently created another color theme. I honestly don't think I could do this intentionally if I tried!

Okay, buckle your seat belt. It's been a while since I last posted so I have a lot to talk about in one short blog post. Ready? Off we go...

I succumbed to the temptation of the Knit Picks Summer Book Sale when I realized that a couple of books I'd already planned to buy were included. I also took the opportunity to get a couple of fixed circulars I've needed. Then of course I found myself close to the $50 requirement for the free shipping, so I threw in 5 skeins of Gloss Lace. I've been wanting to try this yarn for some time now, and this was the perfect opportunity. In my recent Pi Shawl obsession, I really found myself drawn more to the Pi Are Square shawl, but I didn't have enough of one yarn in my stash for it. Problem solved! The colorway is Bluebird, and it is absolutely gorgeous. It'll be a joy to knit with. As you can see, I scored copies of Spin Control and Teach Yourself Visually Hand-Dyeing. Yay!

Over the holiday weekend, my mom and I decided to take a road trip to Atlanta for some shopping and play. Of course I had to do a mini-yarn crawl! We actually passed by a yarn shop I didn't know about while driving around town, and I was able to go by there before we headed home. What a treasure trove! The Needle Nook was smallish but full of beautiful yarn and very friendly faces. I was over the moon to find a copy of Barbara Abbey's Knitting Lace! In dreaming up my Pi (or Pi Are Square) Shawl, I've been envisioning a fairly simple shawl body with a stunning, intricate border, and I've had a terrible time finding just the right lace border pattern. I have a feeling that this book will end my search. What an incredible reference book! They also had a few of Elizabeth Zimmermann's DVDs, and I just couldn't leave them behind. I've not yet had time to watch them, as I want to be able to sit and enjoy them uninterrupted. So excited!

In knitting news, I've been working sporadically on the Helena I'm knitting from sock yarn. It's going really fast actually. I've got one more sleeve to knit, and then I'll get to work on the neck/button bands. I've really been motivated to get this adorable little sweater completed because I have another project calling to me. It all started when I read Soulemama's post about her beautiful Textured Shawl. So simple, so elegant! There is just nothing that moves me like the harmony between gorgeous yarn and the perfect stitch pattern. It didn't take me long to remember the 7 skeins of Malabrigo that have been marinating in my stash for nearly 3 years now. I've been waiting for just the right, most deserving project. I believe this shawl is it! I've literally been carrying around the pattern, the yarn, and the needles (my new Addi Clicks!) for over a week now. I'm trying to refrain from casting on until after Helena is finished. Isn't that yarn yummy and SO tempting?! Must, must, MUST finish Helena!!