The Novel Knit Girl Blog

I was beginning to see the end of this cowl that has been taking me a long time to knit. I started it last January and then it hibernated for about 8 months because I wanted to make other things. It's not a difficult stitch pattern, but it's one that I can't easily navigate by eye. I need to know which round I'm on and even though it seems like I should be able to "read" my stitches, with this pattern I just can't. It's a herringbone pattern and a silk blend yarn. When it's finished it will be heaven. I started having visions of binding off and then I dropped a stitch and couldn't recover. It was sad. In other news. I finished a scarf for Kid 2's teacher for Christmas. I'm on a roll with Christmas gifts this year! It was yarn that I bought from the Wisconsin State Fair and I always wanted to try one of those balls that is white in the middle and dark on the outside. Turns out, the result is just okay. In other news..

Like I said... I've been feeling color lately. And, I've been feeling shawls, scarves, and accessories in general. Here is my second easy shaped shawl in Mindful Mauve. I'm working on my photography skills. I don't think they're improving much.

I think I mentioned the ox wool that my parents found and bought for me during their trip to Alaska in July. Well, I finished the scarf and it's lovely. I don't really think of myself as a great lace knitter, so this was a challenge. But, the pattern was easy and the end result is quite nice. Here it is: In other news.... Life After Life by Kate Atkinson is proving to be worth the read. My kids finally went back to school on Tuesday. Kid 1 is now in 3rd grade and Kid 2 is starting kindergarten. It's been a whirlwind. I'm not sure how I did this when I had to go to an office each day to work! Life is hectic with dance 3 nights per week for 1 and swimming one night for "the deuce". Tonight we may go out for dinner - which is something the four of us almost never do together. The kindergartner is having adjustment exhaustion, so we'll see. Overall, things are as good as I think they can be for early September!