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OK, sorry about the whiny post the other day. It was actually the only really bad day that I had. The other days were actually quite relaxing, though it was a bit boring not having anything else to do besides knit and sit around. I can't complain about the knitting time, but I think if I decide to go again next year, I am going to pick the place. I would have really liked to have tried snow shoeing, but there wasn't anything like that offered where we were.

This wasn't a bad view to look at though...



Here is my finished Mobius, which was really fun to do, and as I said, the cast on is MUCH easier than people think...



I also did another pair of Fetching from Knitty, but no time for a photo. Maybe later.

I can't complain too much when my daughter looks like she is having the time of her life, and what a view!!!

From the Mountain

I found out this morning that our hotel has Wi-Fi in the bottom floor. Now I am connected! How exciting is that. The first few days here were actually nice and relaxing. The view is beautiful. (OK, this connection is not that great, it won't let me upload photos. Just imagine a snow covered mountain, with lots of sun)


We are at the top of the mountain, so I can just sit on the deck and look out at the mountain. I did alot of knitting the first couple of days. Finished the Mobius. Once again, can't upload the photo, so you'll have to wait for next week.
I am now making myself another pair of Fetching as my other ones are pretty worn out.

I would say that three days would have been enough. Everyone else is off on all day ski outings. I had to eat lunch alone today, which is pretty depressing I have to say. I thought I would go to the village for a little retail therapy, but the shops were all closed for lunch, for several hours. Had to turn right around and come back. Pretty annoying. I have now told my husband that this is the last time I am doing this. He can take the kids alone next time, they are old enough.

The other thing is that there is nowhere outside for me to go other than the deck, and of course everyone is smoking out there as the indoor space is non-smoking. No fresh mountain air for me!

Sorry to be on a downer! Not sure if you saw the comments on my last post, but seems that lots of people are having trouble with the Vogue shrug. I guess I am going to have to frog a bit of it. I have complained to VK, but don't plan on hearing anything from them anytime soon.

Gone Knittin'

I'm off tomorrow on the ski trip. I love the people we are going with, they are some of the nicest people I know. The problem is that I am going to be in the middle of a ski mountain with nothing to do. I have spent the entire week deciding what to bring along in terms of knitting. I am definately not bringing the shrug, its too big, and too many balls of yarn. I did have a lazy week and only managed to do 2 more hexagons. I am planning to go for the big push to finish right after I get back, so watch this space!

I was able to finish my Fleece Artist socks this week. The pattern is Jeanne Townsends Spring Twists. It is available from her Yahoo group.



I don't know why one looks longer than the other in this photo, I can assure you that they match up. The color is great, bright and fun, and they are so soft to wear. I love them! Here is a close up of the pattern.



I am also happy to announce that I have mastered the Mobius Cast-on. It is really very simple. I am using the kit from Fleece Artist, but also have Kat Bordi's book, which helps a bit. It is actually very easy. I was worried, so started it before I left just in case. Now I just have to knit away! I am hoping to finish this quickly and wear it on the trip.



I also cast on these socks. I've been admiring this color of Koigu in the shop for ages. It is not what I would typically choose, but its fun for a change to use something completely different. I am using the Badcaul pattern from Anna.



Sorry about the blurry photo, didn't realize it until I got it into Photoshop. I have to be at the shop to open in 30 minutes, but you get the idea on the color.

I am also going to bring along my lace, which you can see below. It has grown quite a bit, but that photo came out terrible. Hope the next one is of it finished!

See you on the slopes...not!

Hexagons

I am now on the 7th hexagon of the shrug. This means that I have finished the first row, and the following ones will be the shoulders, then the sleeves. I was starting to panic yesterday because it is pretty huge at the moment. I called Nathalie for some knitting therapy, as I was thinking that it is coming out too big. She told me, which makes sense, that when I start to connect it with the other hexagons, that it will probably pull it in. I hope so, or I'm not sure who this thing is going to fit. I did my gauge swatch, and as usual, I had to go down a needle size. I am going to soldier on, and trust in the pattern.



I wanted to wait for all 7 hexagons to be finished before I took a photo, but as it was unually sunny today, I thought I would seize the moment!

I am averaging about a hexagon a day, so basically if I am not lazy, I can at least get onto the sleeves before I leave on my stupid ski trip next week. (This is my name for it as I don't ski and everyone else does. Its pretty much sitting in a lounge knitting week for me) I am working on what projects to take along, most likely not this one though, too big.

I think I forgot to mention which yarn I am using. It is Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Stone.

We got some fun new yarn in the shop this week. Its called Tofutsies from Southwest Trading Company. I might take this one along and try some socks. It feels like silky cotton, though its made with Soysilk and Chitin, which is derived from crab and shrimp shells. I thought it would smell funny(pit doesn't), and it is really soft. I am dying to try it out!

Shrug and New Stuff

This week has been pretty productive on the knitting front. I have made some headway on the Vogue Knitting shrug. I am on the fourth hexagon.



Here is a closer look, the color is pretty true to the real thing in this one:



This project is so much easier than it looks, I am really enjoying it. The only advice I can offer is not to use straight needles, the stitches will never fit. I'm not sure why this is what is written in the pattern, if you look at VK's website, they show it on a circular. Not sure what they are thinking.

Also got a bit of lovely new yarn in the shop. First is the softest cashmere in some really beautiful colors.



This is the same yarn that I used for my husbands hat, it was really great to knit with. I'm thinking of what else I can make with it!

Next, hot off the press is Sea Wool from Fleece Artist. It is a combination of merino wool and Sea Cell, the same as in Sea Silk. It should make a really nice, soft, silky pair of socks. Can't wait to try it out.