Tempted

If you're a long time reader you know how this goes: I work on top secret projects and the only way to share them is to render them artistic.

I've finished the Tempted strip for my afghan - 4 more strips to go! Lorna's Laces is next.

They've Done Their Job

Now it's time for me to do mine! The yarn designers that I chose for my 2^ndSweet Spot afghan have all come through with flying colours (pun intended)!!

The final batch of yarn has arrived - Adorn sock from Three Irish Girls. The 1^st shipment didn't show up so Sharon sent out a rescue batch upon which Mischief has put her own brand of approval!
I'm almost done the Tempted Yarns GoodGrrlstrip, then I have Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock, Dashing Dachs Dachs Sox & Three Irish Girls Adorn. Is there such thing as colour overload? If so, I'll be the one pushing the limits, testing the thresholds & finding out.

I'll post a picture - of sorts - when I'm done the Tempted strip.

Knitting in the Sun

When the snow starts to melt, the days grow longer and May splashing colour across the land a knitters fancy turns towards lighter wares. Not just lighter to knit while catching a few rays on the deck with a drinkie that has an umbrella in it (oops - maybe that's just me), but lighter to wear as well. Said knitter could be caught unawares, scrambling through the latest spring & summer mags, hoping against hope, looking for just the right _________ to go with their summer wardrobe. I know, my heart races at the panic of it!!

to the rescue!!

The patterns are sorted to make your summer/warm weather knitting selection easy - accessories, sleeveless, short sleeves, long sleeves, cardigans and odds & ends. It helps even the most indecisive knitter narrow down the choices. From sun hats to a funky leaf scarf, sweet bathing suits to a beach bag blanket, shoulder-baring tops and calf-skimming skirts, lacy stoles to chill-chasing cover-ups I dare say that no sun-warmed stone has been left unturned to put at our fingertips the perfect summer project.

The projects lend themselves to warmer climes in the fibers chosen - traditionals like linen, silk, cotton are obvious, but then warmer fibers like mohair & alpaca are seasonally appropriate by being blended with soy, silk and linen. When using warmer fibers the garment constructions are looser and airier with lace details that keep them from being heavy while still be excellent chill-chasers for cooler evenings.
I "met" Kristi worked with her on Knitting Patterns for Dummies, so I asked her about the challenges of putting together a compilation of patterns; here's what she said:

"While I've been involved in various guises with collaborative projects, pulling together a collection of patterns from a group of designers was new territory for me, and I was definitely a bit nervous about it at the outset. But I couldn't be more pleased with the results!

Each designer approached the goal of creating something they'd want to wear in warm weather with her own point of view and design aesthetic. I think this makes each piece distinctive and the collection broadly appealing. There are a variety of styles to appeal to women of all ages and body types; there are some projects that adventurous beginners will be able to tackle as well as some that will still bring excitement to seasoned knitters. And there are projects knit in pieces, but also quite a number that feature one-piece construction. Come to think of it, there're pieces that are knit top-down, side-to-side, and even inside-out! That said, one of the things I like best about the collection is how wearable the garments are. I think they're really appealing knits, but also things you'll actually find yourself wearing regularly.

I feel very lucky in that everyone that was involved with Knitting in the Sun was so pleasant to work with. Now that the book is done I don't have to run around knocking wood about it, but, man, what a conscientious, creative, professional bunch! They brought strong ideas to the table, but accepted feedback with grace and were great communicators throughout. I feel like I learned a lot in the process of creating the book, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

I love flipping through the pages of Knitting in the Sun; each picture evokes a feeling of summertime, carefree days and a desire to start knitting your way into the new season. The photographs are well shot - casual and easy but giving us what we want, a clear look at the finished project. Nothing appears to be hidden - to the contrary there are plenty of close-ups to get a good look at the shaping and stitches.
The patterns are also supported by clear schematics and charts. Oh - the charts!!! They're not just in the book - they are online & downloadable so that if the cats use your charts for bedding, you lose your chart to the tide at the beach or mark it up beyond usefulness you're just a click away from not being S.O.L.. Good on ya Kristi!!!

I am totally going to knit Anacapa - the cover stole - by Kendra Nitta, Hollyhock, a sweet scoop-neck top by Jairlyn Mason and Anna Maria, a sleeveless form-fitting shell by Carol Feller. I dare you not to find at least one perfect summer project - go ahead, knit in the sun!!

Up next up on the blog tour is Marnie MacLean. Marnie designed the lovely surplice top Aviara, featured in the book.

Going for a 3-peat

The Toronto Spiders are going for a 3-peat of the International Back-to-Back Wool Challenge at Black Creek Pioneer Village on May 31st.

If you're going to be in the area, come on by and cheer us on - the middle bit is not much to get excited about but we sure do know how to rock out the beginning & finale!! Signature Needle Arts is the Official Needle Sponsor for the Spiders - all of the knitters will be knitting with Signature Needles. We're really hoping that this will help us take a few more minutes off of our time in our quest for the World Record.

Watching TAR 14 with Wannietta - le finale!!

I know, but what with strep throat, deadlines (all met!) and dispatching on Saturdays for Saturday school I missed last week. But we're all here for the finale - the smart money is on Tammy & Victor, but I wouldn't count out Margie & Luke.

Tammy & Victor are out at 9:15PM & are headed for Maui.
Margie and Luke are just over 2 hours behind them with Jamie & Cara almost 3 hours behind them.
But no one can book tickets until 6:00AM.

... 18 hours later ...

Tammy & Victor are out in front, Jamie & Cara in 2^nd with Margie & Luke in 3^rd.
Mmmmmmm - luau set-up!
The is already dressed - rubbing some oil & salt into doesn't actually seem nasty to me. Poor sheltered Victor.
Tammy is the weak link in carrying their pig and while Jamie & Cara are busy calling Tammy a weakling Margie & Luke are passing them all!!
Margie & Luke might end up with the only clean pig for the cookout.
Despite Jamie's confidence, it does not appear that Cara is any stronger than Tammy.

Well when you're the last one to a task you get the furthest away pit - what, you thought that the other 2 teams would help you out by leaving the closest bbq pit Jamie?
Margie & Luke are out with a nice lead!
Tammy & Victor are next with the not far behind.
Margie is rockin' out that Sea-doo!
They both went for a swim looking for the clue in the bobbing floats. Got it!!
It doesn't look like you're too far behind Jamie, but you haven't finished the task yet.
Jamie & Cara have found their clue just ahead of Tammy & Victor.
This is the kind of task that would kick my ass in any of the reality shows - remembering all of the stuff that you've done. I'm more about living in the moment.
Poor Luke and those shorts - he should stop and tie them tight or find a pin.
Jamie is being her sweet self to the cabbie again.
Tammy & Victor behind a slow vehicle - who's ever in a rush in Hawaii?
Jamie is not my favourite contestant, but really ... isn't it job of the cab driver (and by extension) the cab company to take their passengers to places? And if they don't know where those places are, shouldn't they be making the effort to find out? You might not be their personal concierge but you are the dispatcher.

Really Jamie?? Call the police for directions?
If you don't stop for the gas Jamie you'll be stopped for the lack of gas.
Luke is working right through those surf boards and is nailing each board that he finds with the matching leg of the race.
And Victor ditches his sagging shorts for the speedo in the interest of speed too.
Luke is having a rough time finding the right last 2 boards.
Well Jamie not all of the pictures are actually tasks - that's part of what makes it tricky!
C'mon Luke - don't give up!!

And Victor remembers everything ...
Luke & Jamie team up but it's a race for 2^nd at this point because Victor & Tammy pulled it out when it counted the most.
They both have discovered a lot about themselves and each other in the course of this race.
Jamie & Cara are 2^nd and while they competed hard, I'm sad that Margie & Luke couldn't have beat them.
But there's no shame in 3^rd for those two - they worked hard all the way through, individually & as a team. I mean, they had to be a great team or they wouldn't have made it to the end of the first leg.

Okay - when does #15 start?!?
I'm off to watch the finale of the Celebrity Apprentice & cheer for Annie.