I know I've said this before but...here I go again. Sometimes when I start a new project it's perfect right away. This is important because I'm mostly a monogamous knitter and don't really have anything sitting around to knit while I'm looking for my next favorite sweater. The past several weeks have been filled with knitting, frogging, re-knitting, looking for another pattern or another yarn to inspire me. I finally have a project that I love.
This is IKs Josephine Top. I've liked this sweater since I first saw it and finally looked for yarn that was mostly in my stash to start it. I needed three more skeins of yarn and luckily Stewart had the same color and dye lot. The yarn is Blue Sky Alpaca and Silk-it may be one of my new favorites because I am in love with how it feels on my fingers. I usually don't really care how the yarn feels while I'm knitting but this is unbelievable! Here's a closeup of the lace.
Fun to knit and easy enough to remember the pattern. Even on size 4 needles it's moving along quickly. I love to knit on small needles.
School was over last Friday but I did have to work on Monday so I've had 4 days of vacation. It's always a little hard for me to get used to not working but I have had an exciting week!
On Tuesday my two sisters came to visit me! I LOVE my sisters! We have so much fun together and laugh all the time even though we are all so different. The occasion for the visit was the Rings and Things bead show in Richmond. We aren't big beaders but Lawre puts beautiful beads on her bags and often comes to Richmond for the show. Knowing that, Cathy decided that it would be a perfect time for a sister get together. Great idea, Cathy!
Once we had all these plans made Lettuce Knit contacted Lawre about having a party in her honor when they received their delivery of wonderful Lawre's Laine bags. She told them she would be in town this week so the party was scheduled for the night that all three of us would be together. Great idea, Trish and Lynn at Lettuce Knit!
When Cathy got to Richmond we picked up Jessica and Banjo, my beautiful DIL and grandson. We met Lawre just after she delivered the bags to Lettuce Knit and then we all headed to lunch and the bead show. This was the first time, I think, that Jessica has been with all three of us and I hope she had fun with us...she is now an official "sister". Will was perfect as he slept most of the time and allowed me to carry him all around the bead show. I could hold him all day long-who needs a crib? He also enjoyed meeting his two great aunts for the first time.
I did hog him so they didn't have much time to hold him-I'll try to be better in the future! At this point he was a little worn out and they were trying to sooth him-what good aunties!
The Meet the Designer party at Lettuce Knit was amazing! There were so many people admiring and buying bags AND yarn and patterns. What a wonderful treat for Lawre to be around so many people telling her how wonderful and talented she is. She designs and makes the bags all by herself and I know it meant so much to her to be able to see people enjoying her talent! I could kick myself for not taking more pictures but it was a fun party! Also, Lettuce Knit has so many pretty samples in their shop that it's hard to think about anything except what you want to knit next. I bought three different pattern books-Berroco Lumina-/Seduce #272, Tahki Stacy Charles terra collection, and Debbie Bliss eco Fairtrade Collection. So many beautiful sweaters to knit! I've bought yarn there the past 3 times I've been in so I restrained myself for now!
Another great thing about Tuesday night's party was seeing so many knitters from my TNK knitting group! Here's our group shot!
Here we all are with Lynn-I can't believe that I forgot to ask Trish to be in the picture! I'm so sorry but I tend to lose my mind in yarn stores!
I love the new sweater/top. VERY pretty.
Had a great time at Lettuce Knit. Great to see the sisters all together. See you soon.
Posted by: Issy | June 20, 2009 at 12:31 PM
So glad you could come to our bead show! I'm sorry I wasn't there so I missed the baby... Did you take a baby break to buy any beads for yourself? :)
--Dave
(facebook.com/RingsAndThings)
Posted by: Dave at Rings & Things | June 22, 2009 at 11:14 AM