Sky Scarf and Other Knitting (The August Version)

Time for another knitting update.

First of all, here's the latest iteration of my Mostly Michigan, Mostly 2013 Sky Scarf:

6 months - halfway there!

I finished my Waves of Color Bermuda Shawl:

I had mentioned that I would have to keep an eye on my yarn, in an effort to use up as much as possible, without running out.

After washing, Before blocking

I managed to do just that - I finished with just 9 yards of yarn left.

Another perspective

I'm still working on the WMU Scarf for the Seita Scholars (it's about half finished). My Woodland Shawl is still on hold, although I came close to picking it up the other day.

But I started a cowl instead.

One of several swatches I knit for the cowl

The yarn is a limited edition skein that I bought at Stitching Memories a while back - 90% polypay wool (from Holland, MI) and 10% alpaca (from Reed City, MI). Raised, spun, and dyed in our fine state, it is a pure Michigan yarn!

I am knitting the Fresco Basket Whip Cowl. I dutifully swatched, starting with a 6 (one needle size smaller than recommended, because I am a relaxed knitter), then trying a size 7. That still was wrong, but we were traveling and I had no more needles with me. We stopped at a yarn store, Wool Gathering, near Rockford, IL (where we were visiting friends), and I was able to buy a size 8. Frankly, that swatch was also still off, but frankly, I no longer cared - it seemed close enough, and the idea of increasing needle size again was crazy.

So, I am knitting away on the cowl, and have finished several pattern repeats; it goes quickly!

My next fiber adventure is this coming Friday, at the Michigan Fiber Festival. I'll take a spindle spinning class in the morning, and then look at animals and check out the vendors in the afternoon. It should be a fun day!