Well, I haven’t blogged about the shawl in a while, so we can all handle an update, I think.

As you can see, it doesn’t look all that different, but trust me, it’s growing.
I’m up to round 153, and I have over 1000 stitches on the needles. The rounds don’t go very quickly any more!
And I’m feeling a little squished on the needle.

As you can see, it’s getting to be a rather tight fit. I’m using a “Pony” brand circular, and it’s 100cm long. The only longer needle I have is an Addi Turbo, and I don’t think the mix of addi turbo and alpaca lace weight is something I’m ready to face.
So we’ll soldier on, squished and all.
There are less than 40 rounds to go, but each one is taking upwards of 45 minutes now, so the end isn’t close yet. And I don’t think I have enough yarn, but I still have a hank and a half of the Alpaca cloud, so we’ll see how far I get. I’m thinking that if all goes well, I might enter the shawl into the Sydney Royal Easter Show next year. The only shawl category they have is “Shetland Shawl” and I don’t know what defines a Shetland Shawl. I may have to hunt down the information. *If* it comes out like I hope!
Em is dancing again tonight, so I’ll be working on the Cardi back. I’ll let you all know how much I get done!

The bag is done! 🙂

I’m mostly pleased with it. I wish I had used heavier fabric. Most of what I used was just quilting fabrics. It may have been beter if I had used some interfacing or something, because it’s a bit floppy. But it’s cute, and it’s just the right size for a project.
Which was convenient, becuase yesterday was another dance comp day. It started off fine, but ended up running and hour and a half late, and we were there for hours.
I didn’t want to take the shawl, because it isn’t easy to just pick up and put down, and a noisy crowded hall isn’t conducive to quality lace knitting. So I hunted around for something new which had to be relatively easy, and good for odd rows here and there.
A little while back, I won a competition that Lynette had, and won some Cotton Ease. I had started a ChicKami, but it was coming out too big, and it wasn’t something I could see a lot of use for in my climate. So I hunted about, and found this pattern in a previous issue of Family Circle Easy Knits.

It required more Cottonease than I had, so I tracked down some more. It’s a different dyelot, so I’m using two balls at once, two rows from each ball. I’m pretty glad I took it along, because I got a little bit done.

Just a little! 😉
I’m 4 rows from starting the armhole and raglan shaping. I knew these full on dancing days would be good for something! Em did well too, placing in every section she was in.
No other knitting has been done, and I’m way behind on my sewing and stuff.
Em and Twinkie have spent the morning together, with Em bribing Twink for cuddles.


That rabbit will do anything for dandelion flowers!

We went to Stitch n Bitch yesterday, and had a great time again! Stripey and Annie, you were missed! Lots of lovely things being knitted, and lots of nice books and yarns being passed around. All I managed while we were there was 2 rounds on the never ending shawl, however it is up to round 141 now. Imagine it like the last picture, only a tiny bit bigger. Okay, it might be a bit more than a tiny bit bigger, but it sure doesn’t feel like it.
I have just joined in the third ball, so I am now officially half way through!
One of the ladies at SnB yesterday had made the loveliest little bag which she showed us, so this morning, whilst out and about, we popped into Spotlight and i came away with this.

I have only the vaguest idea of what I plan to do, I didn’t really get the best look at the lovely little bag, but we’ll see what I manage. 🙂

Well, the long abandoned project was Charlotte’s Web.
I selected a knit edging from Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls, did the whole thing, and finished this afternoon.
I have just reblocked her.
It is huge. Ridiculously huge. It should be 38″ x 76″. Even without stretching it, just laying it out on the floor wet, it is 48″ x 90″.
So, I will frog her and start over. Again.
But not tonight.

I got tagged by Alison.
Something to consider.
That’s the 5th sentence of my 23rd post. Nicely ambiguous 🙂
THE RULES:
1. Go into your archive.
2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to).
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag five people to do the same.
I think everyone in blogland has done this meme now, so I shan’t pass it on.
And for Sandy.

Springtime sky in Sydney. Its been a beautiful day today!
The mystery project is nearly done. And long overdue, too!!