Kiss my handmaiden

I have been admiring Handmaiden yarn by Fleece Artist from afar, and finally took the plunge, in a big way, at the Color Song online store. I especially wanted some 100% cashmere to make the "Inner Truth" scarf in Mag Knits. I have never knit with 100% cashmere and I wanted to see what the fuss was about.

I indulted in four kits: Antique Lace, Celtic Vest and the Maid Marian Vest. That means I will be knitting with Lady Godiva, their wool silk blend (which I have considered for a clapotis) I chose the Lily Pond colorway. The Celtic Vest is in Scotian Silk, another wool silk blend. Maid Marian is knit with Stretoo & Lady Godiva, and I am curious to learn what is meant by the Fleece Artist "swing technique" of alternating yarns. The fourth kit is from Nature Song Yarn, which is a line of handcrafted organic yarns using plant dyed, natural colors. I was tempted by the Imperial Pagoda Scarf by Hand Jive Knits which looks like it would be fun to use for some of my other stash yarns. I chose the lovely Jade Agate colorway.

I have made tremendous progress on my Amazing Lace project and am close to finishing the middle section and starting the final frill. It was quite a challenge but I feel I learned a lot and am willing to try another simple lace project.

Tiny cat wanted, or Reason #738 to get a kitten

Again my apologies for taking so long to blog. I have had to take it slow with the needlework due to continued pain with my hands. I have a DR appt later this month and I will bring it up.

I also have been discouraged with the (lack of) success with my knitting projects. The Kitty Pi bed that I was so proud of is too darn small for my beloved pinhead, Utah, thus the addition to my long list of reasons why next year we should get a kitten (or a very tiny dog). Please don't faint, intrepid readers who happen to be family members (you know who you are).

I have started a swatch for my knitting retreat and blast it, it is too big! Tho that could be worse. It is an embellishment retreat that will take place in Idyllwild in October. And last night I finally chose one of the 200 ripple patterns from the Jan Eaton book and started the long scarf/wrap with the beloved Judi & Co yarn that I got at Stitches in February. I decided to crochet - a rather lacy pattern so it should be lightweight - and I did my first rows in this great Elizabeth Lavold angora yarn - oh my gosh it is yummy. A beautiful taupe color.

In other news, we are just loving our puppy up - she is getting so big (they did say she was a miniature?) I had a very intense month of video production where I literally was driving all over LA County - from the very western edge, where we live, to the southern tip in San Pedro, and the eastern edge in Hacienda Heights - three times a week. My fuel bill was nasty. It went pretty well - ask me about the Commutative, Associative and Distributive Properties! Dare ya! And this week should be the final one of editing my videos about ethics and sexual harassment. The big challenge for me with work is coming up with a treatment for a project about storytelling in the workplace. I have also been busy as the enrichment coordinator for my oldest son's elementary school, and his AYSO team parent. The crunch is past with those duties, thus more time to knit, crochet and blog.

My next challenge: I want to finish some socks! I joined some sock clubs: Petals and Socks That Rock, and have this amazing yarn. Plus I got the infamous trekking XXL. Right now I can't seem to remember how to work in the round! I need to hook up with my knitting groups more and get some support on the sock thing. I did pay for some classes and only took the first so I also need to schedule my last classes on the subject!