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New New New (and an Ishbel.) « »
Oh, You Guys!
I am feeling so blessed by the Universe these last few weeks!
I’m getting a new website, we’re buying a new house, and the most important, wonderful thing of all…
WE’RE HAVING A NEW BABY!
I just passed the 12-week point, and have been just bursting to tell you all.
Needless to say, with all of this going on, I’ve just been in a frenzy. TONS of new ideas, my writing (on the mysterious third book I keep alluding to) is flowing so well, and my knitting needles are on fire!
BUT…you know how it is when you’ve got SO MUCH energy, and so much of it being NERVOUS energy…you need a project that you can just ZOOM through, to keep those fingers moving and those nerves calm.
My “zoomer” of choice over the weekend was Ysolda’s Ishbel. I ordered it on Friday, thinking that it would be a great distraction from everything I’ve got in the works. And it was!
I finished the blue one above (Mazie has lost the yarn ball band, but it had a sheep or a llama on it) on Sunday, and started this pretty rusty-colored one (Fearless Fibers Merino in Rust, Golden yellow, and an off-white that I overdyed.)
I used Wilton’s cake dye, and just put the yarn, water, and colors in the measuring cup with a glug of vinegar and microwaved it for 8 minutes. The color came out a little bright, but it’s fine. A shot of bright in this Earthy shawl will be PERFECT.
It’s going to be mostly the rusty color, and then I’ll go through my self-dyed little hank, and then the yellow…so…color progression dark to light.
I really like the Ishbel pattern and have found it to be quite thought-provoking. The center line of increases is worked in one of my favorite raglan seam increases, and I like the idea of starting with a simple stockinette body and then imposing repeats of a simple, small-stitch count lace pattern on top. It’s similar in idea / theory to the way that I structured the Trapeze Jacket in Glam knits:
…the body is a typical stockinette TDR, with a simple lace at sleeves and hem.
It’s interesting to see all of the knitting situations in which the same theory applies (simple stockinette base, with a simple stitch pattern on top to make a striking, easy but difficult-looking FO.) I use it a lot on sweaters, but now I’m noticing it in shawls, stoles, socks, etc.
Sometimes it’s good to knit other peoples’ patterns, and to knit outside what I would usually consider my “comfort zone” (garments.)
Wheels are turning…look out! 
This entry was posted on Monday, August 10th, 2009 at 2:22 pm and is filed under Patterns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
23 Responses to “New New New (and an Ishbel.)”
Whoa, big news indeed. Congratulations.
I had my first hot flash a couple weeks ago, and I’ve got only one child–a two-year-old. No more babies for me, sadly.
Congratulations on the new baby! What great news. I’m so stoked to hear that the needles are on fire again! I can’t wait to see all the new stuff you’re working on.
Congratultions I started reading your blog when you where were expecting Maize, I was looking for a maternity knitting pattern as I was also pregant then and I am again now! I was a few months behind you last time but this time only a week. Looking forward to reading how you get on! I never managed to get round to knitting petal maybe this time!!!
Congratulations, Stefanie! I find your news especially exciting since I just hit the 13 week mark and it’s definitely fun to read the blogs of other pregnant knitters! Hopefully I can be inspired by your energy, since mine seems to be zapped.
Congrats again!!
Stefanie, congratulations on the new baby!!! Such exciting times for your family.
Have finally worked out how to comment on your blog. Have been lurking for a while now, but really wanted to say congrats – about the house, the website and of course, baby in-the-make! And Maizy is possibly the cutest toddler I’ve ever seen.
Your Ishbel is lovely. It’s top of my queue too.
Woohoo! That’s wonderful news! Congratulations
Congratulations on all your wonderful new news!!
Can’t wait to see your new book.
congratulations
Aww…congratulations! On all fronts!
- (formerly) no-blog-rachel
Congratulations! Wishing you a wonderful pregnancy!
I am so happy for you. I have a boy and 3 girls so my pregnancy days are over. Eac pregancy is different and I wish you health, happiness, and lots of energy! I am also very happy you are out of your knitting funk. Everything has its season.
Woo-hoo! Congratulations! To all three news, but especially to the baby.
Congrats, Stefanie!
Congratulations on the wonderful news – all of it, but especially the baby. I look forward to seeing how you keep your productivity up with 2 wee ones
congratulations!!!!!!!
Congratulations!! I’ve been following your blog for a long time but never comment before. I’m so happy for you and your family.
Syl
Congratulations Stefanie!! That is just awesome, awesome news. I’m sure Mazie will be thrilled with a baby brother or sister too!
Many, many congratulations!!! Such exciting news!!
Congratulations Stefanie! What a thrill.
Congratulations Stefanie! Wonderful news.
Sorry for the double post, but I thought I had posted, and then later didn’t see my reply; so, I posted again.
Well…I guess you could say that I am doubly happy for your news.
Congratulations!!! I was wondering if you would have another one soon. I’m also 12 weeks pregnant! I look forward to reading all your updates as they coincide with my pregnancy too!! Could you put a post about what to knit (and maybe sew) for baby up sometime? I’m looking for great projects…