This could be messy

I saw this sign at the local Wendy's and had the funniest pictures in my mind. My first thought was of the shakes being spun on a wheel, but I couldn't quite figure that out. And then of course it hit me - they must be using drop spindles. I think that would work better but it still could be messy.

WIP Wednesday

1. Seraphim: I am still on the stockinette portion but goal is to finish up that part this week and start the first chart. I would have been farther along with this but I started the next two items.

2. Drive Thru: I try to make a new sweater for my daughter each year. At one time she had picked out some pinkish/purple Cascade 220 for this sweater but now she is into blues and wasn't too happy with what she had chosen earlier. What's a mom to do? So, I picked up some Ella Rae Classic at the local yarn shop and started this. Definitely more blue than the picture shows.

This is a child who knows what she wants and she has asked for a cardigan with a zipper (oh no, the dreaded zipper!). Anyway, I've started the body in the round with plans of steeking so I added 5 stitches which I have set off with markers and the 3 middle stitches I purl. This way I should be really clear where I need to cut. Do you think it will work?

3. Lace Ribbon Scarf: I have also started this in some Handmaiden Seasilk from the stash. It's a pretty easy pattern to remember and there is a KAL going on if you are interested.

If you don't know about the contest going on here at Knitting by the Sea, you can check out this post. Please enter if you'd like!

I think it's time for a contest

A few days before Easter, I received a package in the mail. I was just getting ready to go away for the weekend, so I almost didn't open it, but I am glad I did. I think I can honestly say that this is one of the strangest things I have ever received through the mail.

Eggs! And guess where they came from? They traveled across the country from Utah! My friend Connie has a farm with horses, goats and, of course, chickens and she knew that we needed fresh eggs for Easter. Isn't she great!

I got to thinking that this was indeed an unusual package and wondered what other things have been sent through the mail. So, in honor of this package we are having a contest over here at Knitting by the Sea. What is the strangest thing you have ever received or sent in the mail? Let me know in a comment and sometime around the end of June, we will choose a winner. My daughter will be a judge since she got such a kick out of the eggs. I'm not sure exactly what the prize will be, but it will be fiber related - maybe sock yarn, maybe fiber (if the winner spins). So, have fun.

By the way, we only lost like 4 eggs on the journey. Most of them made it just fine and tasted excellent! Thanks again, Connie, for a great package!

A Transformation

Just as a caterpillar changes into a beautiful butterfly or moth, lace also transforms itself before your eyes. From it's start on the needles,

to it's bath and blocking,

the lace becomes a thing of beauty.

My Wing of the Moth shawl in Marmalade Kidsilk Haze.

I is for ...

I was planning on using ice cream for my I post but there has a little too much ice cream around here lately.

When I took my daughter to the zoo a few weeks ago for Scouting Day, I learned a little something about identification bracelets. For the everyday person who visits the zoo once in a while, it may be difficult to tell one African Dog from another.

Yes, we can see some identifying differences - certain spots or size - but we don't work with these animals everyday and haven't learned enough about them to tell them apart. Basically one elephant can easily look like another.

But wait, what is that with the penguins.

Can you see around this one's flipper?

Was there some sort of make it take it craft at the last penguin party? I hadn't realized that the penguins were into beaded jewelry. Look, there's another one in different colors.

The zoo staff has put these identification bracelets on the penguins to help us identify each individual penguin. Pretty cool! They have a poster which shows each bracelet design and the name of the penguin it belongs to. I was sure I had taken a picture of that but I guess not (bad blogger!).

Beading - it's not just for the bling!

WIP Wednesday

In between the circus, a parade, baking cookies, visiting a horse farm and other fun activities, two shawls came off of the needles this past weekend. My Wing of the Moth in Marmalade Kid Silk Haze and the Forest Canopy Shawl in Fire on the Mountain Socks That Rock.

I started moth sometime last summer and I know there must be people laughing right now since there are some that finished this in days (there was a moth competition at one time). Even though I put this project down many times and waiteed to pick it up again, I did enjoy knitting it - and I learned a lot! I was able to see where I needed to be in my current row from what had happened in the row below. I guess I'm learning to read my lace knitting. Now, I just need to find the time to block these beauties. I can't wait to see them in all their glory!

Of course, I immediately cast on for another shawl. Any guesses?

I'm knitting my first MimKnits pattern - Seraphim in Brooklyn Handspun.

Eye Candy Friday

We also saw a 3-D movie when we went to the Museum of Science. Although my favorite was the IMAX Omni movie about the Swiss Alps. What beautiful scenery!

Tonight we go to the circus with the Brownie troop. The girls are very excited. Obviously, I'm not making it to Maryland this year but I wish everyone that goes a great time and good weather. I will, however, be attending this event in a few weeks. It's nice having a festival close to home.

Have a great weekend!

***** 5 rows to go on Moth *****