She's ba-ack

I've been neglecting my weblog for much longer than I should, but I'm back with a vengance! The first thing I want to send out is a belated thank you to my secret pal for the package and the nice note. She (at least I believe it's a she) sent me a package with cake fingers, a pattern book, chenille yarn from a local (to her) mill, lavender eyelash yarn (much softer to the touch than the brand I'd used before), and a thin, nubby rainbow colored yarn.

Oh, and the package also had what looked like a pen, but turned out to be reading (or working) glasses, and a cat key chain. The next picture does more justice to the latter, which wound up rather buried (and backward) in the one above:

I haven't yet decided on a project for the yarns, but I have a few ideas. I think I may use the chenille for a baby garment (maybe a hat) for Stitches from the Heart, with at least some of the eytlash yarn as a trim. The rainbow yarn may also make a good trim for throughout the project. They may also make a good hat on their own, or maybe some gloves or mittens for moi.

In knitting news, I finished the knitting part of my original Charlotte mid-August, as predicted, and set it out for blocking. It still needs the crochet edging mentioned in the pattern, and the crochet lace trim I decided to use instead of fringe in the pattern. Here is my blocking picture.

While Charlotte I was blocking, I started Charlotte II. Charlotte II went much more quickly than her big sister. I think the main reason was my goal to finish it in time for my mother's birthday (which is this Saturday). I also had become more confident in the pattern, to where I could even bring it out and about with me. Charlotte II actually beat Charlotte I in my finishing, because I decided to make the edging before the blocking instead of after. After several false starts (including an edging I ended up hating for Charlotte and frogging--after it was almost complete), I finally finished the edging last night, and set it out to block just before sunset this evening. Unfortunately, the time of day was not conducive to a very good picture, but here is my blocking picture of Charlotte II.

In my last post, I mentioned wishing I'd finished Charlotte I a day or two earlier so I could block her in the place where I house-sat. That evening, I had another reason to wish I'd finished her earlier. I wore a sleeveless dress to DBF's reunion, which was held on a hotel rooftop in downtown San Diego. Even a Southern California summer can get a little chilly at night. It wasn't cold enough to warrant a heavy, zipped-up jacket, but Charlotte's Web would have been just the thing, and would have added a little more elegance to the outfit. Well, there will be other evenings. If all goes well, I should finish the trim on Charlotte I tonight. Then, maybe I can take a picture of both Charlottes draped over the couch.

I have also finished the extra ribbing on the Knicks sweater. I extended the bottom and each sleeve to about 4 inches, which was as much as I dared. Now for the bad news. I'm afraid I forgot to take a picture of the finished (refinished?) sweater before giving it back to DBF ::gives self 40 lashes::. It is now (I assume) on its way back to Poland.

Now that I have the Knicks out of the way, and (almost) both Charlottes, it's time to get back to some socks. I have yet to start the Making Waves socks for the 6-Sox knitalong, and I still have my Baby Cloverleaves to do, as well as the 2-cicrcular needle socks I'd started for my nephew. It's also time to get back to work on Kersti. I mentioned the beret and gloves in my last post, but I now have a picture of a glove in progress:

Comments

[lisa]

My you have been busy! Both your Charlotte's look amazing, and I am a little envious of the glove. What pattern are you using? I have been thinking about knitting come (because mittens arn't my thing) so I have been on the lookout for glove patterns lately.

[Margene]

Both Charlotte's are wonderful! And so different. It's fun to see them side by side. Great job!!

[jocelyn]

I just have to say it again - of all the charlotte's I have seen on the 'net - and I've seen quite a few lately - yours are the most beautiful. Especially the rainbow colored one youjut completed. Too many other folk's Charlottes come out looking sickly, but yours are pretty enough to make me almost change my mind about them =)

[Patricia]

Where did you get the Kersti glove pattern -- looks great so far!

[c]

You Charlotte is GORGEOUS! I love the colors.

[abby]

oooh charlotte is just fabulous! i need NEED to really get to work on the one for my mom. at this rate, it'll be a mother's day present - which was not my intention. welcome back, btw!

[Chris]

Just tried to email you but it came back to me so thought I would leave my comments here...Hopefully you are still out there somewhere!!!

Just wanted to say that I was at your blog and saw some really beautiful things you have made....Also, must say, I LOVE your kitties!!!..I too am a cat lover....I live in Florida and in February started teaching myself how to knit; wish I had done it MANY years ago!! Anyway, wanted to let ya know that I will be visiting your blog and trying to keep up with your posts now that I have found it and would enjoy a visit or two from you at mine....There's not much there but as everyone says, it is a start....www.lionesslair.blogspot.com Hope to see ya there...Keeping those needles clicking!!

May angels guard,
Chris