Arctic Diamond Stole

 This pattern is from a 2006 issue of Interweave Knits.  It's called Arctic Diamond Stole by Donna Druchunas. The yarn, as I had mentioned before, is alpaca from Peru--something from my stash. I just recently started knitting lace and I'm learning as I go. This time I learned that I should invest in some blocking wires. Using pins did not give me a straight edge.

 This project had a mistake right in the middle.  I guess I dropped a stitch.

 I did a little creative repair, making one stitch and weaving in both ends.

It actually worked! You can't even tell it was there.

"make it work" basket

Before 

 I use to love the knitting baskets my grandmother had when I was growing up. They were the kind that have a folding frame. She took one everywhere and was always knitting.  I found this old thing at a thrift store for 41 cents. I had already acquired some fabric that looked retro but actually has sayings on it from Project Runway the TV show.  I do love Project Runway, but what do you do with fabric that says "carry on"?

Under Construction

Either you're in or you're out.

 I used the old fabric to make a pattern for the new one.  It was a bit like origami and in the long run I had to do a bit of hand stitching to make it work. 

Recycled Cashmere

The newest Spin-Off magazine had two articles about recycling yarn.  I have tried to get yarn from old sweaters before but it always seems like so much work to get the seams out.  One of the articles encouraged people to use not only sweaters, but skirts and scarfs, too.  For some reason I thought you couldn't deconstruct something with very small knit---but the article encouraged us to try cashmere and other fine yarns.  So I went hunting at the thrift store...

I bought this GAP scarf for 25 cents.  It's 50% wool/ 50% cashmere.  It did unravel easily! It's so soft.  After I soaked it for a half hour, I dried the yarn in a hank and it's own weight straightened out the kinks.  After it was dry, I wound the yarn into balls and began a new knitting project.  It's still going to be a scarf---this time around it's going to be "Seascape", a Knitty pattern.