Doily Discovery

Yesterday was a good day for treasure hunting. At a library book sale I found a 1984 issue of "Magic Knitting." It's from a French publisher, although the magazine is in English. I was pleasantly surprised to find this doily pattern, which the magazine describes as "a bouquet of arum flowers." No attribution to a designer is given — does it look familiar to anyone? It's full of twisted stitches and mesh, which could make it an interesting project. And it's charted — hooray!

It doesn't seem like the mid-1980s was a high time for doilies, which makes this an unexpected find.

At my favorite thrift store, I found a skein of tweedy Rowanspun for $4 (original price $13.50), which will make a nice hat for someone, and six skeins of Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool for a grand $3.

Hi, Seema!

Our friend Seema visited yesterday, which, as usual with Seema, results in lively and interesting conversation. She needs all of that energy because she is founder and artistic director of Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company in San Diego. She also is an actor, singer, playwright, fundraiser, office painter, business manager, mentor, educator, public relations agent and — whew!

Mo`olelo provides some interesting theater experiences. Read all about Mo`olelo and, if you are in San Diego, give it a try.

Selbuvotter

I just bought this book because it looked very cool. I haven't knit mittens for years, but this appealed to me. I think many of the designs could be adapted for hats, Christmas stockings and other knitted items. I also like the historical information.

I wish more of the pictures were in color, but that's just a small quibble.

Selbuvotter.

A Welcome Spring Visitor

Imagine our surprise when we found these growing in the front yard — morel mushrooms! First time we've seen them. Fortunately, no one who passes by on the sidewalk noticed and picked them. My mushroom-expert friend assured me they are morels.

Bring on the butter!

Landscape that Rocks

Two of my favorites: the Fiber Trends Landscape scarf and Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock lightweight yarn. This one is the Farmhouse color, US6 needles, alternating garter and stockinette sections, with picots.

My friend Debbie "made" me buy the yarn. Thanks, Deb!

Diamond Fantasy

Long time, no post. I haven't finished anything in a while, and when I did, I had trouble taking a picture worthy of its beauty. I finished Sivia Harding's Diamond Fantasy Shawl in some beautiful laceweight from Black Bunny Fibers, a Christmas gift from my friend Bridget, who is friends with Carol, the genius behind Black Bunny Fibers. The color is called Sue's Puppy (click on the photo to for a better look at the colors). Sue's Puppy is based on an earlier Carol color called Puppy. I'm not a dog person, but I am a Puppy person.

I wanted a big shawl. The pattern calls for 10 pattern repeats for a shawl. I did 14. I used US5 needles.

I had a difficult time photographing the gorgeousness of this yarn and pattern. The light wasn't right, I couldn't get a good background for the colors — just one thing after another. The photos still don't do justice to the final product, but there you have it.