"Meet Virginia"

After about a month of knitting, the Virginia Shawl is complete!  I actually finished the knitting of it about a month ago and haven't found the time to block it until now.  It definitely needed to be blocked, to show off the rows of lace edging.   FYI:  Spreading out a shawl and pinning it to foam boards with two children running circles around you is a daunting task!

It's a bit bigger than I expected, but I am absolutely in love with it.  The Dream in Color Smooshy yarn was perfect in this project, and from my stash.  

Later on, I'll make this again for my mother, also a "Virginia" (as her middle name.)  Hers will be in natural and tan variegated sock yarn that she chose from HER stash.  (hooray for stashbusting!)  

The Virginia Shawl

As 2011 is starting to wind down, I am looking for my newest knitting project.  To be honest, nothing has really excited me recently.  I had mentioned a LONG time ago about a pattern that I was interested in, it's a triangular shawl.  "Shawl" just sounds so...OLD to me.  I mean, it's mentioned in the Little House on the Prairie books.  "Laura wrapped herself in Ma's old shawl to get more wood for the fire."  Not exactly the image that I had in mind.  I am really into neckwear lately though:  scarves, shawls, and the getting-popular shawlette.  And not just for cold winter days, either.  So in browsing my Ravelry queue, I found said triangular shawl again, and in looking at the pattern, I was excited to learn that there are different ways to wear it.  In reading the pattern through, it looks rather easy. So casting on TONIGHT!  In a beautiful wool yarn called "Dream in Color Smooshy" in a fuschia/purple colorway.  This was already in my stash too, so it's not breaking my self-imposed "yarn diet."

I was born to knit this thing, after all it's called The Virginia Shawl.  Fitting, no?  Can't wait to see how this all comes together,  this first project for 2012. 

"It Spoke to Me"

Lately, I've been in a wee bit of a rut, knitting-wise. 

Sure, I've worked on some stuff. 

I finished my silver lace shawl for Tracy and Michael's wedding on 4/30. 

I made a baby blanket for Stitches from the Heart, the same charity that I donated all of the baby hats to.  It ended up being a bigger project than I was looking for at the time....but I think it came out quite nicely.

I knit and sewed up (mostly, almost there!) a cardigan sweater for Sean.  I've got one seam left, and then just getting some buttons and knitting the hood.  Though I'm not completely sold on the hood just yet.  (This sweater is going to be a whole 'nother blog post when it's done. )

And I've got another charity project in the works, I'm calling it "Mitten Mayhem,"  and they'll likely be donated to Knit for Boston.   I started back in January, and I've got four pairs already.  Every single pair is so far crafted from bits and pieces of other projects that I've completed.  I'm trying to bust down the stash a bit before the big trip to Webs next month!

Anyway...so yes, I've knitted.  But I haven't had that all-emcompassing, "Oh My God....I have GOT to make that!  I can't wait to see what this looks like!  And wow, this yarn is so soft!"  feeling.

Until the other day, I was browsing The Yarnista, and she featured a shawl that she had made with her yarn that she hand-dyes, Three Irish Girls Yarn.   The name of the shawl is  The Virginia.  Yes!!!  It is the prettiest lace shawl, not too foufy and simply gorgeous.  And with a name like that.....I feel that I am destined to make it.  For myself!  A Virginia wearing "The Virginia."   

So I guess the next question is...shop the stash, or check out Three Irish Girls!  Ok, ok, HUBBY, I'll shop the stash.  :)  Actually, I have something already in mind.  But I have Three Irish Girls on bookmark for sure.

Sometimes projects really do speak to you...instead of you finding them they find you.  This is certainly my next project.  I can't wait!