Wyoming Breezes

Half Pi Shawl (Camping) blocked and posing in a snow bank 28 x 60 inches December 2020 The Half Pi Shawl came to life after Lori at Cowgirl Yarn finished her blocking magic. The snowbank shows off the lace well. December 2020 I'm thrilled with the results! Pattern :  EZ 100th Anniversary Pi Shawl: Camping (half circle version) Needles : US size 8 Yarn : Heritage 150 Sock Yarn (Cascade Yarn)  Color: 5631            I used one and a half skeins (225 grams - 738 yards) Blocking : Cowgirl Yarn (Laramie, WY)  Six different EZ 100th Anniversary shawls (3 full-circle and 3 half-circle) are available. They are: EZ 100th Anniversary PI Shawl: Gull Wings EZ 100th Anniversary PI Shawl: Hearts EZ 100th Anniversary PI Shawl: Camping EZ 100th Anniversary Camping Half-Circle EZ 100th Anniversary Gull Wings Half-Circle EZ 100th Anniversary Hearts Half-Circle

lace design visible when back lit November 2020 Once I set a goal to finish this long-time UFO, it wasn't difficult to sit down and knit at least two rows a day. I bound off the last stitch on Thanksgiving just as the sun was setting.  off the needles and in need of a good blocking  November 2020 It doesn't look like much on the hanger, but once it's blocked, I think it will be a beauty. I plan to take it to the LYS to be blocked because I don't have a area large enough to do an adequate job.  Pattern :  EZ 100th Anniversary Pi Shawl: Camping (half circle version) . free pattern on Ravelry Needles : US size 8 Yarn : Heritage 150 Sock Yarn (Cascade Yarn)  Color: 5631

trapped stitch marker I discovered an "oops" on the Half Circle Pi Shawl. One of the stitch markers was accidentally knit into the shawl. The only way to remove the marker (other than frogging the shawl which I am NOT going to do) is to cut the marker.  I've managed to knit markers into items before - have you?

long abandoned project sees the light of day November 2020 The shadows may be long in the photo above, but obviously the years the project has been tucked in a basket have been even longer:  an earlier blog post reveals that I started this project in 2017.  I was afraid that I wouldn't know where I left off, but I discovered a sticky note on the pattern, telling me where I stopped. With that information, it was fairly easy to pick up the project (Half Circle Pi Shawl) and continue knitting. Because of the number of stitches on the needles, it's slow going: I can complete two rows in a little under an hour.  It's my goal to finish knitting the shawl by the end of the year. 

Marilyn's Shawl October 2018 I started on this project for Marilyn in June or July when one of the ladies (Val) in the Needlers group wanted to try the pattern. Even though it was a knit along, I got distracted with packing and moving, so Val finished her shawl weeks ago.  Somewhere along the line, I unintentionally "altered" the pattern, and the back increases are off (thankfully, I was consistent in the alteration). Even though the pattern calls for the shawl to be knit to fall at the wrist, I knit it to fall just in the crook of the elbow. That shorter length makes it more comfortable to wear around the house or to cover shoulders while sitting in a chair. Yarn : Encore Colorspun (Plymouth Yarn)           Color #7718 - Drifting  (worsted weight)           I used three skeins for this short version                 (300 grams OR 600 yards ) Needles :  US size 11 Patte...

Colorful Cousin November 2017 When I cleaned my sewing room last week, I unearthed the unblocked Colorful Cousin shawl . It was finished in September but got pushed aside and forgotten. Sunday, I gave it a good soak and finally got it blocked. The colors are vibrant (much to bright for me), but I will find someone who loves it. Knitting notes can be seen in this earlier post .

colorful 28's Cousin 53 August 2017 Previously, this yarn was cast-on for a cowl, but I wasn't happy with how it looked. The cowl was frogged, and I cast on another 28's Cousin 53 shawl . This pattern showcases the yarn much better than the cowl pattern. Pattern :    28's Cousin 53!  by Lynne Ashton (Ravelry link) free pattern Needle :  US, size 7 Yarn :  Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn             Color S102            70% Wool, 30% Nylon

Half Circle Pi Shawl June 2017 A work in progress: EZ 100th Anniversary Pi Shawl: Camping (half circler version) . I'm currently working on the "Slanting Twigs" section - row 67, with many more rows remaining to knit. Needles:  US size 8 Yarn:   Heritage 150 Sock Yarn (Cascade Yarn)            Color: 5631 I've always wanted to knit an Elizabeth Zimmerman Pi Shawl, but I'm not keen on full circle shawls, nor do I want to knit one until I'm 80. When I found the Anniversary Shawl patterns on Ravelry, I quickly downloaded the one I like the best: Camping . Notes from Ravelry: Elizabeth Zimmermann was born on August 9th, 1910 (8/9/10), so this year 2010 is the 100th anniversary of her birth. This shawl is one of a set of SIX shawls designed as a tribute to EZ and a celebration of all she has done for us. They are based on her PI Shawl which can be found in her book Knitter’s Almanac . Three of the EZ 100th Anniversary PI Shawls (Gull...

28's Cousin 53 June 2017 This is the first time I've knit this pattern, but it won't be the last. The pattern is very easy (only 53 rows); however, the last ten rows seem to take forever to knit because at that point the shawl has over 500 stitches. The pattern said blocking was not necessary; however, I recommend blocking the shawl. Without blocking the shawl is barely four inches wide; with blocking, 9 inches. I loved knitting with this yarn, and the silk it contains adds drape and softness to the shawl. Pattern:          28's Cousin 53! by Lynne Ashton (Ravelry link) Yarn:         Charlemont Kettle Dye - Valley Yarns (60% merino, 20% silk, 20% polyamide)         100 grams - 439 yarns  (I used all but 9 grams)         Color: Whipple Blue (photos reflect color pretty accurately) Needle:         US size 7

six knitting projects cast on and started June 2017 Last week, I prepared several knitting "kits": shawls, cowls, and house socks to work on while recovering from a total knee replacement later this month. Perhaps I will not feel like knitting, but these projects are cast on and ready should I want a diversion. I chose easy and intermediate patterns and may even fall back knitting simple dishcloths. My iPad and Kindle are loaded with audio books and ebooks, and I purchased a few word search pads from the Dollar Store. I've added some movies and documentaries to my Netflix account. A jigsaw puzzle is handy, and after a few weeks of recuperation, I'll probably feel like working on it, too. I will not be driving for six - eight weeks; thus, I'll be sticking close to home other than catching a ride to physical therapy appointments. These diversions and projects should keep me from getting cabin fever.

12 grams of yarn remain May 2017 The cashmere Hitchhiker shawl is off the needles and blocked, and I have 12 grams of yarn remaining. I probably could have knit another "tooth" but didn't want to chance not having enough yarn. Tip to tip, the shawl measures 84 inches and has 40 "teeth." finished and blocked cashmere Hitchhiker May 2017 Previous posts:       Cashmere Transformation - plying the two-strand yarn       Cashmere Hitchhiker - a work in progress and knitting notes This shawl is light and extremely soft. Thank you to Julie W. for gifting me the yarn and Briana F. for plying the skeins.

100% cashmere Hitchhiker in progress March 2017 Remember the cashmere yarn that was a gift from Julie and that Briana plied? I decided to knit it into a Hitchhiker scarf/shawl. My first plan was to knit a Hitchhiker Beyond shawl, but realized the yarn is so soft, the shawl would not have a lot of body. Pattern: Hitchhiker by Martina Behm (Ravelry link) Needles: US 6 Yarn: Art Yarns - Cashmere 2 (Color 143)           The two strand yarn was plied by Briana F.

Hitchhiker Beyond February 2017 I found these photos of  Hitchhiker Beyond  that came off of the needles in early February. Since I listened to Friction by Sandra Brown while knitting this shawl, a library photo shoot seemed an appropriate way to feature the finished shawl. blocking Hitchhiker Beyond While blocking, I pinned the center point (top and bottom) and worked out from those points, keeping the top edge straight and the bottom edge at the correct angle. center point on the top and bottom edge I loved this pattern!  If you decide to knit the Hitchhiker Beyond, it's important to follow the designer's recommendation to weigh the yarn before you begin so you can calculate when to begin the decreases. I had 2 grams remaining Pattern:   Hitchhiker Beyond  (Ravelry link) by Martina Behm Needles:  US size 6 Yarn:  Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Select (African Grey) 4 oz/114 grams The pattern is easy and fun to knit.

finished Hitchhiker Beyond January 2017 Last month, Julie gave Cheryl a gorgeous shawl/scarf - a Hitchhiker Beyond. Unlike the asymetrical  Hitchhiker, this pattern is triangular and the "teeth" are the straight, neck edge of the shawl. I was intrigued and purchased the pattern on Ravelry. Hitchhiker Beyond was an evening project, and I listened to audiobooks while knitting. After two weeks of knitting, it came off of the needles last week. I haven't blocked it yet, so I'll post another photo when that's done. Pattern: Hitchhiker Beyond (Ravelry link) by Martina Behm Needles: US size 6 Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Select (African Grey) 4 oz/114 grams Notes: Trust the pattern: the designer knows what she is doing! The notes on the pattern advised weighing the yarn before beginning; when a 1/3 of the yarn has been used, the decreases begin. I weighed and calculated and began knitting. I had 2 grams remaining. Weighing the yarn is important - d...

blocking the Noro Hitchhiker December 2016 The Noro Hitchhiker came off the needles in late November, but sadly it was not blocked until December 30 when I pulled out the blocking mats for Picot Dot #2. While the Hitchhiker pattern doesn't really require blocking, I like making the "teeth" more uniform, and blocking does that. I don't measure the teeth, but rather use the yard stick to make sure the angled edge is straight. Blocking also adds a bit of length to the shawl/scarf. blocked and ready for gifting Do you regularly block your knitting?

Picot Dot wrap #2 December 2016 The last week of 2016 was spent in feverish knitting to complete this shawl. I usually challenge myself to finish an on-going project before the end of the year. You may remember that I purchased a Picot Dot Wrap kit in Denver. What I didn't know at the time was that the kit included enough yarn to make two shawls. I was skeptical, but weighed the yarn before starting and realized it might be possible. In the end, I had to supplement the black with a bit of black sock yarn, and the bind-off edge needed the scraps from the Project Peace Cowl . attached i-cord edging Knowing I would be short of yarn, I reduced the final border section and bound off with an attached i-cord. The last band of black was knit with the scrap black sock yarn and part of the i-cord was done with the Project Peace Cowl scraps. picot edge on the original shawl The two shawls are similar yet very different.  . . Picot Dot Wraps #1 and #2 The kit direction...

completed by unblocked scarf November 2016 The Noro Hitchhiker shawl/scarf came off the needles last Friday. I haven't blocked it yet, but that will happen soon. This scarf has 35 "teeth." I probably would have had enough yarn for two more teeth, but I didn't want to chance it. Knitting notes can be seen here .

Picot Dot Wrap off the needles November 2016 When the Picot Dot Wrap/Shawl came off the needles last week, it didn't look very appealing. Actually, it resembled a colorful sting ray. I seriously questioned whether the pronounced hump in the middle would even come out in the blocking, but . . . shawl being blocked with a few hundred pins, I managed to straighten the edge.  the finished shawl Once the shawl dried completely, it was ready for its photo shoot.  The center hump is slightly visible, but it has been tamed enough to wrap around the neck. Pattern: Picot Dot Wrap by Cheryl Zuccaro Yarn: Kauni wool          colors EC (black/grey - 140g - used 69g) and EQ (rainbow - 160g  - used 85g) Needles: US size 6 The pattern states the kit will make 2 shawls - colors reversed. My finished shawl used 154 total grams of wool, and I have 146 grams remaining. By adding a bit of another black yarn, I will have enou...