Last Day to Join KAL

Just a reminder that today is the last day if you want to join my Secrets of the Shawl knitalong. I'll close the group after midnight tonight. [Membership is now closed.] Clue 2 goes up tomorrow. As an added incentive, here are the prizes that will be awarded to a few lucky people who complete a shawl during the KAL.
One prize will be “Designer’s Choice.” Another will be for the “Group Favorite.” I’ll tease you pictures of a potential third prize – award criteria to be determined. I'm open to suggestions on that third one.

The prizes are:

Green – A Cascading Leaves Shawl Kit
A copy of the shawl pattern, size 5 circular knitting needles, 1.7 skeins of Malabrigo lace weight in water green, a notebook with pen for notes, and a set of stitch markers (see pic below).

Red – A Celtic Hearts Shawl Kit
A copy of the shawl pattern, size 8 circular knitting needles, 3 skeins of Fleece Artist Blue Face Leicester DK in red, a notebook with a pen for notes, and a set of stitch markers (see pic below).

Gold – A Love Bird Shawl Kit
A copy of the shawl pattern, size 7 circular knitting needles, 2 skeins of Louet Gems Opal in Goldilocks, a notebook with a pen for notes, and a set of stitch markers (see pic below).

Here are the stitch markers that go with the shawl kits above. These beautiful stitch markers are made by my friend, Jamie. [If you're interested in purchasing some of these for yourself, contact mommabear6976 on Ravelry or email her at mommabear6976 AT yahoo DOT com. She's selling a set of six stitch markers for $7 plus $1 for shipping.]

I've been very busy getting everything ready behind the scenes for this KAL, knitting Clue 1, and working on some other projects.

Secrets of the Shawl KAL

If you'd like to join my mystery shawl KAL, click HERE. I've come to the same conclusion that everyone else has that runs these KALs--it's easier to do it with a Yahoo group. It limits the membership to those who are interested. I can easily upload pdf files of the clues for download. Plus everyone can post pictures of their progress, ask questions, etc. The first clue will be posted on Wednesday, March 25.

I will try to post a swatch chart this weekend and information about the prizes being offered.

There is no cost to join the knitalong. The pattern will be available in charted form only. (Though someone on these KALs usually will post written out instructions for those who have difficulty reading charts.)

You will need 600-1,000 yards of fingering weight yarn to knit the shawl depending on how big a shawl you want. (Though you could use other weights of yarn too.) I will offer options to knit this as a 2 triangle shawl (like my Cascading Leaves shawl) or as a 3 triangle shawl (like Wings to Heaven or Fire Bird).

The group will be closed to new members on April 1st when I post Clue #2.

Pass the word to your lace knitting friends. Come join the fun!

Shawl KAL anyone?

I'm working on a new shawl that I may offer as a free KAL. The shawl pattern would be offered on Ravelry in my Simply Simple Knits group for a limited time. Charted clues would be posted every week (?) until the project is done.

The pattern is another wing shaped shawl like Wings to Heaven with an all over lace pattern. I'm using 500 yards of fingering weight wool yarn on size 6 needles for the project. I haven't finished the prototype yet to know if this will be enough yarn or not.

I may offer a prize to one lucky person who completes the KAL project and posts pictures of their shawl. More details to come as I finish the project and finalize all the details.

If you would be interested in participating, post a comment here or on my Rav group under the Shawl KAL thread.

Happy dancing!

After 3 weeks of having the viral crud that's been going around, I'm finally feeling like a human being! Honestly, is it me or do these bugs get worse and hang around longer every year?

Some good news...

The Fire Bird Shawl I donated to the recent Pet Refuge auction (March 7) brought in some major $$$ for the shelter. Today, I heard that it sold for $75.00 in the silent auction! Woo-hoo!

Yesterday, I took a roadtrip to Threadbear in Lansing, Michigan. They now are restocked with Simple Knits patterns. I also left all of the items I've knit from those patterns for display. (Excepting Cascading Leaves which both shawls were given away.) I was unwilling to part with all of my knitting as shop samples. Rob asked me if I would consider loaning them to the shop for a month to display as a trunk show. Of course I said yes! (Picture me grinning madly!) And the yarn goodies that followed me home from the shop were icing on that cake.

I'm taking a break from lace and shawl projects for the moment. My current obsession is baby bibs. I've finished one and have started on another one. I also have a felted bag design on the needles.

I know I haven't posted many pictures of my knitting lately. That's because most of it has been items for my niece Amy. Her baby boy is due in April. I didn't post any pictures and ruin the surprise for her by seeing them on my blog. Now that they've been delivered at the baby shower on Saturday, I can give you a peek at what I made. (Psst, more to come after the second baby shower.)

The yarn I used for all three projects is I Love This Cotton! from Hobby Lobby. The colorway is aqua ombre. Two balls of it made a baby cardi, a hat, and a bib. The bib is from my newest pattern Bib-alicious! The hat is called Presto! Baby Hat! by Katherine Vaughan. It folds down flat and then pops up like a top hat. Very cute! The baby cardi is called Super Natural Stripes by Fawn Pea. The baby cardi especially got lots of ohs and aws at the shower.

BTW, they counted 8 grand- and great-grandmothers at the baby shower. If the huge pile of baby gifts are any indication, this baby will want for nothing. LOL!