U-HAUL Extravaganza

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Labor Day weekend in Boston means one thing, UHAUL Mania - with students moving into college and all the area rentals turning over, the streets are clogged with those moving trucks and the excitement that comes with moving day. In my 35 years, I've moved 22 times, almost all of those during the first week in September. Now that we are stable home owners and glued to a 30 year mortgage, I don't have a huge desire to pack up my belongings and move to a new home, but I needed to change something, so I am trying out a new blog home at TypePad. The add said 90 free days, the banner in my template tells me I have 29 days left, so we'll see how it goes and if I plan on staying or moving back to my old digs at prettyposies.

I am about an inch and a half away from finishing the Green Mountain Spinnery Gainsey. I planned this for Cate but think she may be a bit too big, which means it will be perfect for Alex for a couple of seasons anyway. This was a wonderful project to knit up, the Green Mountain Mohair was exceptional and so much fun to work with.

Also on the needles are a second koigu sock for Cate, and that Pi R Squares shawl has stalled while I think about finding some more Schaefer Yarn - Miss Priss, color Mr. Funny (you don't have any more hiding in your stash do you?) When I finish up the Gainsey, which I hope to do today, I am free to start another project. YAHOO. What do I start next? Well, I have some 2400 yards of brown tweed alpaca that has been to the frog pond so many times, I fear it may turn green. I orignally hoped it would be a sweater vest for DH, but never found the right stitch, pattern or even gauge. DH insists he doesn't look good in brown, so maybe this yarn was never meant to be a frock for him, maybe it should be a frock for me, should I join on the poncho bandwagon and whip that yarn into shape?

I've got lots of fun new sock yarns waiting, goodies from my trip to Maine - I am thinking about a top down raglan for Cate from the hand painted wool, I picked up at Pine Tree Yarns, or a fisherman's scarf for me with the hot pick yarn (is it ok to confess I've never made a scarf?).

Or, I could go with something else entirely. Last spring, a wonderful knitter named Dawn sent me two skeins of amazing Schaefer Esperanza - a wool/mohair blend she was unable to knit with. In exchange I signed us both up for custom Charlotte kits. This week, after waiting over four months and after some not so pleasant emails back and forth with the men in the know, I thought I'd look for another way to fulfill my end of the trade.

Last night I took my sister -in-law to Mecca (aka Cirlces Salon ) where we put together the makings for two exceptional shawls, I am going to give Dawn her pick first, and then knit up which ever she doesn't want (and if she wants neither and prefers to stay in line, then I'll offer them up here.)

Both are based off Interlacement's New York - a ribbon yarn that is so seductive, I was dreaming about it last night. The first, a green one, is paired with Southwest Trading Company's Bamboo:

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The second, a redish one, is paired with Southwest Trading Company's Cotton:
The pattern is for a garter/lace shawl that is currently the shop Knit-Along at Cirlces. If you thought about Charlotte, but couldn't commit or don't want to wait in line anymore, give Allison a call and have her put together a kit for you. She has a great eye for color, some of the most unusual yarns you've ever seen, and can work with you on weight, yardage and cost. Tell her Amy sent you!