The Ravellenics

Well, it takes a little bit of time to get used to the new name, doesn't it?  It sure requires a bit more explaining when you try to explain what you are getting ready for.  The Ravelympics kind of used to say half of it already ;-)

But, whatever the name is, aren't we just as excited?  I am!  This afternoon, I bought my yarn!  I love it!  Can't wait to start the project! It will be a test knit.  I should get the pattern in the next few days!

Here's the lovely yarn I bought:

It is the Silk Blend from Manos del Uruguay.  It is a light brown with pink and green hints!  I fell in love with it!

And you, what will you do?

Have a great weekend all!

Long summer weekend!

Mother Nature is really spoiling us this summer!  We had another wonderful day and it's the long weekend for Canada Day (last week was also a long weekend for Quebec Day)!  I worked outside around the house all afternoon.  Now, I feel tired, but tired good!  And I'm having a little glass of wine before dinner ;-)

On June 16th, I went to Tricotine et cie for the Knit in Public event!  It was fun!  We had sangria and cup cakes and a good time!  I got to wear my Damson!  I even spilled a little bit of sangria on it but thankfully, I was quick enough to dry it and it's fine!

Tricotine et cie is a new store in our area so every time I go (hum, well, it's the second time I go!), it's important that I buy a little something because it's really cool that they opened.  They have more and more different yarns now and they have some local products which is what I like to buy the most!

This time, I've bought a skein of Gaïa DK from Sephyra.  It is absolutely gorgeous!  I just don't know yet what I will make with it!  123 yards.  If you have any suggestions, let me know please!

I also started the cute Hedgerow socks with my latest Tanis (Year in Color 2012 - May 2012).  I think that they are the perfect summer knit!  Very light and the color reminds me of flower petals!  I hope they will be as pretty as Andi's!

I've also decided to do a test knit for Monique of Une maille à la fois for the Ravellenics 2012 (isn't it a cool name?)  Monique has some really nice designs to warm up our necks and shoulders ;-)  It's coming fast!  I will be on vacation during that period.  I will have to be super disciplined if I want to reach my goal and enjoy our short summer at the same time!

And you, will you participate to the Ravellenic Games 2012?  Have you decide what will be your challenge yet?

Have a great week!

FO: Damson

I finished my Damson on Monday!  What a nice pattern to knit!  I recommend it... if you don't already have one!  The yarn also was simply exquisite.  What a great colorway for this time of the year!

Pattern: Damson by Ysolda Teague 

Yarn: TFA Year in Color 2012 - March

Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm and US 8 / 5.0 mm

Color: Sprout

Start to finish: March 2012 - June 2012

For: Me

Notes: I used 3.5 mm needles for the entire pattern,

except for the bind off, I used 5.0 mm.

It is smaller than the original pattern.  I only had 100 g of yarn.  So I read notes from other people on Ravelry, reduced the needle size compared to what the pattern calls for, built an Excel file to follow-up the percentage of stitches knitted versus the remaining weight.  This made me confident that it would work out well and it took 90 g of yarn.

Here is a closer look at the yarn and the light variations of purple and red in it!

It looks like we are having a wonderful summer day today!  This week, I only work tomorrow and then, I finally take some days off (for the rest of the week)!  Yé! 

Have a great end of the weekend! 

Summer

Summer is now here!  It's so good!  For that reason, I spend a lot more time outside, working around the house.  It also means a little less knitting, although I'm 10 rows from finishing my Damson!  It will be so pretty!

I better finish it soon because I received some beautiful yarn two weeks ago as part of the TFA Year in Color 2012 Club! It is wanting to become socks!  Probably these...  Maybe not the most practical socks with my wardrobe ;-) but they will be very cute!

Happy summer to all of you!

Lucky!

Looks like we are going to have a wonderful 3-day long weekend!  It will be good to finally spend more time outside!

Recently, I've won two contests in a row.  I know, I could not believe it!  The first prize I won is a very nice Namaste circular needle case from Un brin dans le vent.  It is a very practical (and pretty!) gift because I did not really have anything to order my circular needles.  Thank you very much Chantal!  You know how I like bright colors!

The second one is a great book by Vogue Knitting that I won over at a blog I've been following for a very long time now: A friend to knit with.   It really made my day!  Thank you again!

And of course, I'm still working on my Damson.  I'm at row 89 (out of 109).  Hopefully, I will finish it soon since I received the May shipment of the TFA Year in Color 2012 Club.  The color is really new to me!  I'll show you next time.  I received it on Wednesday.  I know some people haven't received their yarn and pattern yet.  I would not want to spoil their surprise ;-)

So, this is all the news for me. I'm so glad summer is starting.  I will try to spend as much time outside this weekend as possible.  And you?  What will you be doing this weekend!

Happy knitting everyone!

Time flies...

Doesn't it?  Not much advancement for my Damson.  Actually, there is regular unknitting of it!  I keep doing the yos wrong and only see it a few rows later...

Also, things are starting to grow here...  I will transplant in larger pots this afternoon or later this week.

I'm so excited, it's the first time I have tulips this spring and they are so beautiful already!  It's a surprise everyday!

I love this picture.  I think the flower is so delicate and the yellow is just so beautiful!

I also wanted to bring to your attention a great contest that my friend Chantal at Brin dans le vent is having this week!  Such a lovely bag for circular needles!  Good luck to everyone!

I wish you all have a wonderful week!

WIP

My current WIP is going quite well!  Garter stitch is so relaxing...  I've undone a few rows, a few times, because I misplaced the yos or knitted a RS on the WS...  but all in all, it's very pleasant!

I've been reading helpful notes on Ravelry for modifications because I only have 100g of yarn.  I'm monitoring the progression very closely and comparing the number of stitches knitted versus the yardage used.  So far, it looks like decreasing the needle size by 0.50 mm is all that I needed to do!  It will be smaller and I think it will make it just the right size to be worn more like a scarf than like a shawl!

Ha, ha, I've been procrastinating a lot today ;-)  Oh well, sometimes that's what you need to do during your vacations!  Right?  It's just that I always think that I can do so many things ;-)

Have a great week!