Our Labor Day weekend trip across Independence Pass to Aspen was blessed by perfect weather. We stopped briefly at Twin Lakes, just west of Granite on Hwy 82. This was our first drive across the pass this summer. We thought we'd better fit one in before the pass closes with the first snows of the fall.
Of course, I fit in a trip to The Yarn Gallery, which was having a bit of a sale. I indulged in Blue Sky Alpacas yarn, both alpaca (just a couple of hanks that were on sale) and cotton (more on that in a bit). The lady there treated me to a demonstration of an excellent ball winder by Nancy's Knit Knacks. I had seen it on line, but now that I've seen it in operation, I want one.
My gridded kitchen towel is complete, with a satisfying stripe sequence that begins with the lightest color, progresses with ever wider bands of darkening colors, then reverses the sequence and ends with the lightest color. This project did make the trip to Aspen, when it was finished and the ends were woven in. You see it here resting appropriately on a rack of clean dishes, as well as overturned to show its vunerable underbelly. I'll cut those ends off after I wash and block it. The back looks nice enough, and is much softer than the nubbly front.
With this off my needles, I finally started the yoke for my Sideways Cardigan. I hope to have both it and the shawl finished soon.
Once it is done, I'll cast on another gridded towel, and plan out more. I've gotten a request for kitchen towels and hand towels for Christmas gifts. That's what prompted my visit to The Yarn Gallery. I knew the shop had Blue Sky cotton and thought their soft cotton in gorgeous colors would make more luxurious towels, more appropriate for guests. Click the link below to download this free towel pattern on Ravelry.
7 comments:
That's a beauty of a ball winder! I'd love to have one too, though I'm not sure I could justify the price for home use.
It doesn't seem like you've been knitting the shawl for that long. I think it's lovely.
The gridded towel is great too. No wonder you've received requests for these as gifts.
I am trapped here at work but hearing about your vacation makes me want to bolt for the car and head for the mountains. We headed to the mountains for Labor Day too but somehow yours seem much better!
I can't wait to see the sweater. I was trying to imagine what it would look like but just couldn't get the jest of it.
Thank you for the link to the ball winder. It looks amazing. I am happy with my little plastic one, but if it breaks I'll know what to get next. I love the gridded towel. Is it your oun pattern?
The shawl is awesome. I don't think I want to know how many stitches you are up to by now.
The dishtowel is very nice.
I liked being able to see the enlarged view of the last photo. That looks like an interesting project, and I like how it is shaping up.
Wow that shawl is really coming along. It is beautiful. I'm sure you'll love it after you block it.
Wow, that is quite the ball winder with an industrial price attached to it. I can see that it would be great for bulky yarns.
The shawl looks great. I'll be interested in how you will block it. I haven't tackle lace in the round yet.
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