Mystery KAL from Laura Nelkins

This is what I've been up to as far as knitting for the past week.  It's a mystery knit-along (KAL) from Nelkin Designs.  The details for the KAL can be found here . There are lots of people working on this project and a whole Ravelry group dedicated to it.  I am using some Ella Rae Lace Merino, size 7 needles, and beads that I bought online from what is now the Northampton Beadery. 

The above represents only 40 rows and 2 clues, but it took me 10 days to figure out the correct placement of beads and yarnovers.  Despite some serious frustration, I really enjoy lace and beadwork.  It's fiddly, it's slow, and you really can't watch TV at the same time, but it really is satisfying!  

On the Needles

Except for sewing on the really cute buttons I purchased for this sweater, this baby sweater is finished.

From Knitting Gallery

It's a Fiber Arts pattern Zarina #15 otherwise called Seed Stitch Cardigan. I can't find any web link for it. I got the pattern for free when I purchased the yarn at Fiber Arts, a lovely yarn store in Cape May, NJ over my April vacation. The yarn is Ella Rae Lace Merino, and the sweater took exactly one skein. I have 42 inches of yarn left! I haven't sewed the buttons on yet, because I put them in a safe place until I needed them. I saw them in that safe place last week. Do you think I can remember where that safe place is now that I'm ready or them??? I Of course not!  I also need to gently block it.  The body of the sweater is all stockinette, which makes it a quick knit even if it's on size 3 needles.  The bands and the cuffs of the sweater are all in seed stitch.

From Knitting Gallery

 I loved working with the yarn. I love the little pocket too!

From Knitting Gallery

 This is baby present #2 of 3 which I started last night.

From Knitting Gallery

 It's the Easy  Lace Baby Blanket from the latest issue of Creative Knitting.  and I'm using Plymouth Encore from Webs  in honeydew.  It's only a 4 row pattern, and 2 of those rows are purl backs!  So this should be my travel knitting for a while.

I am awaiting a box of yarn from Webs.  My knitting buddy and I each ordered a bunch of close out sock yarn over the weekend.  Not that either of us needs more sock yarn.  But as I explained to a nonknitting friend of mine,  some folks lust over shoes.  We lust over yarn!!