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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

More Distractions

Once I finished the last scarf, I cast on for another "quick" project.*  I was lured by the siren song of a knit along with a bit of mystery. The ChoreoKAL is from Stephen West, and consists of four patterns released over the course of as many weeks. At the beginning he provided the type of project, but not the pattern (shawl, hat, legwarmers and scarf plus a bonus) I like his bold designs, so I decided to give it a try. The first pattern is a shawl in worsted weight yarn. I selected three skeins of malabrigo in bold red, soft gray and dark gray (bergamot, pearl and tortuga). I then waited for the pattern.
I really liked the pattern when I received it, but I questioned my yarn choices. Initially I used the soft gray as the background and red as the stripes. I hated it. It looked like The University of Ohio football colors. So, I switched the red and the gray. After the first repeat with this variation, I hated it too. I liked the first combination better. I frogged the shawl again and returned to the original colors after seeking much input from Dave and both of my parents. I persevered through the initial repeats and began to really like the colors.













The shawl is coming together really quickly and is easily memorized. This means it is perfect to take along on our outings. I think it will be finished today and then will need a good blocking. I am hoping the Malabrigo relaxes a bit to give me a bit more drape. Not sure who will be the recipient, but they will be warm wrapped up in it. When this one is done, I have quite a few projects to begin as well as two holiday WIPs. And of course, another ChoreoKAL pattern (this time a hat).

Reading has taken a bit of a backseat lately. I have been having a bad case of startitis. I am still listening to The Marriage Plot when I can. I have about a third of the book remaining. I started The Casual Vacancy, but it was due in a week. That was much too short for me with the craziness of Thanksgiving. I also have the three above books crowding my basket. I really like each of them. I have been working through both Simplicity Parenting and Project-Based Homeschooling: Mentoring Self-Directed Learners. Both speak to me. I have tried from the start to have a more simplified approach to our lives and continue to pursue this ideal. As far as homeschooling, we are very much non-traditional. However, the kiddos pursue their interests with fervor, and I would like to aid them in those endeavors. Inspired I made up a calendar for the kiddos and me. I am hoping we are able to settle into a rhythm and accomplish many of the great things I read and see on the web.

* I know I should really be knitting Eamon's shawl, but he is a bit too observant to knit in his presence. On top of his keen observation skills his gift is one he requested, so he will definitely notice if I am making it.

Following Along with Ginny at Small things for this week's Yarn Along.

24 comments:

  1. One day I am going to have to try one of the mystery knits you do, they sound like fun.
    I like the colors you are using, they are Clemson colors too. I am the only Clemson fan
    in the house, everyone else likes USC.

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  2. I a mystery knit...that sounds really interesting! And a lot of fun too! I like the colors you chose, they look really pretty together!

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  3. What great colours, the yarns look so warm too. I read Simplicity Parenting a while ago, enjoyed it, and put some things into place; I really think they help! x

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  4. Anonymous7:24 AM

    Great colors in your shawl :)

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  5. I really love the colors you chose - bold, beautiful and a bit unexpected. I tend to shy away from bright colors but I would be happy to wear something so cheerful.

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  6. Love Stephan West, was able to take a class from him last summer and he is wonderful and lots of fun. Your color choice is wonderful.

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  7. Anonymous8:00 AM

    The mystery knits are so interesting. I'm not sure I have the guts to just go with it though. I like your colors.

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  8. Just clicked on your link from Ginny and saw you are working on your geysir. I am doing to choreo KAL as well and wanted to say hello. I too found that I was not all that crazy about my colors after seeing the pattern. However, without much of a stash to speak of and no extra yarn money I decided to go with it. It will probably be an around the house wrap for me but I love it that. Actually I am snuggled up in it and drinking my tea as I type this. Those garter border rows sure seemed never ending but they are worth every snugly stitch. Happy knitting!

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  10. I've never done a mystery knit, maybe I should though... The colors you chose are lovely and I can't wait to see the finished scarf.

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  11. that kal looks really great!! I can tell you are very much a process/project person, too-----knitting because you love the pattern, not knitting for a particular person. Whoever receives this......is going to LOVE IT!!! And how can you miss with malabrigo?????

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  12. I think those colours look great...I love the combination. I'm itching to get on with more knitting but don't seem to be able to get started...although I did finish a simple pair of socks last weekend but have noticed a few mistakes so think I may need to unravel them.

    Thanks for sharing all these lovely things.

    Happy knitting.
    deb

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  13. i have lucked out, no one seems to notice what i am knitting. lol

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  14. I thought the balls of yarn looked so pretty and warm when you wound them into balls at the park. The project based homeschool book is on my list!

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  15. Anonymous10:23 AM

    Phew, so good you loved the colour combination in the end; well done for sticking with it!

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  16. Project Based Home Learning is a book I really want to read and hopefully apply in our home learning. Thank you for sharing.

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  17. I've read both of those top books and love them. I'm try to help my daughter find some sort of interests but it's been slow going as she often gets distracted by the baby. Simplicity parenting is a lovely read too. We did a major cull of all our stuff after reading that and it has helped.

    Have a great day!

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  18. I could easily get sucked into a stephen west knit! Glad you are now happy with your color selection. I did that color affection shawl and worried about my colors, but I ended up loving them, phew!

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  19. Looks awesome! I would love to do a Steven West someday...

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  20. i have and have read all three of those books! i am so much better with nonfiction right now. although i did pick up and am reading the girl who fell through the sky - very absorbing. i can send it to you when i am done if you want - just let me know.

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  21. love seeing my book in your beautiful photograph! :o)

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  22. The mystery project sounds intriguing! I love that dark grey, and the light grey and red are lovely too.

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  23. I like how it is knitting up! Can't wait to see the finished shawl!

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  24. What fun, vibrant colors!

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