update

Plugging along on my Adamas shawl. I've finished 4 (5?) repeats. I've been putting in a lifeline after each repeat but haven't needed to use it yet. I'm just using sewing thread. Is that what people do for lifelines in lace?? It's working pretty well although it's a little fiddly to work the first row after putting it in. Anyway. I pulled about 15 sts off the needle the other day and managed to get them back on since my yarn is pretty sticky (KnitPicks Shadow). I've been proud of my ability to fix mistakes in previous rows, like missing yarnovers. My only concern is that it's too loose. I'm knitting to gauge but now I'm wondering if gauge in lace is supposed to be pre- or post-blocking. Oh well, it might be a tad airier than intended, but it will still be great. I decided not to rip, reskein, and wash my first hank. Should be fine.

In other news I tackled the Garterlac Washcloth with much success over the weekend, as well as the Felted Bucket Hat from ChicKnits. That was an amazingly fast knit, 4 hours maybe? I used Debbie Bliss Soho in a greyish ice blue color, because my sister picked out the pattern and yarn at Knit Happens when I visited her last fall in DC, and it was the color she wanted. They had a sample in Manos but she didn't like any of those colors.

Soho is a thick & thin yarn, but not handspun, so it's weird to see the thicks & thins coming at such regular intervals. It wasn't so nice on the hands, but it felted nicely and looks great after a vigorous shave. I didn't do a swatch first because I knew I'd be down to the wire on my yarn. The brim didn't shrink as much as I wanted it to, and next time I probably wouldn't do that part w/ yarn doubled (as the pattern directed), or adjust the stitch count. But it's cute, and I hope she likes it. I'd definitely make it again with minor tweaks. The top was a little too short and obviously this could have been avoided if I'd swatched, but I think I stretched it enough. It's probably a good thing I didn't swatch, because I only had about 5 yards left. I had 4 balls, and it took two for the brim, one for most of the sides, and the last one for the top inch of the sides and the top. It was so huge before felting. I have pics of my son modeling it before and after, it's funny. I need to find my camera cord!!

I don't have dpn's large enough to finish the top, so I used the two circs method for the first time. I really liked it. I don't like Magic Loop, but this was better. I might get some sz 1's from KnitPicks and try 2 socks at a time. Maybe I'll actually finish them both that way :)

Still haven't started the second rib & cable mitt. The M-D Kimono is in the time-out pile because I can't get the sleeves seamed nicely. And I'm mad that I made the border too long on the fronts. May need to whip out the crochet hook. Why didn't I just do it in garter stitch like normal people?! The Log Cabin is making slow progress now that the rows are getting longer. Haven't felt like picking it up lately.