Even though I haven't finished my Botanica, we are starting another KAL. This one is a lace project from Marianne Isager, called the Icelandic Bridal Shawl, from her Spring/Summer 2009 collection. I am just casting on. I had a hard time deciding what cast on to do for 430 stitches. I know that Sabra has been successfully using the cable cast-on for her entrelac shawl class, but I wanted something a little looser, but sturdy. So, I definitely did not want the e-wrap cast-on. The long-tail cast-on is great for most things, but I thought it might not be stretchy enough for lace. So, I googled lace cast-on and found Eunny Jang's website. She suggested using a lace cast-on, which is also known as the knitted cast-on. I figure that she must know what she is talking about, so on I go -- only 415 more stitches! The KAL is starting this Sunday, June 28th at 1 pm. If you can't make it on Sundays, come to our knit -in on Thursdays at 12 pm.

This has been a busy few weeks. TNNA was last weekend. I bought some new things, which I'll talk about at a later time. Emma had a birthday and Zach graduated from high school.

While I was away, our Knit to Fit class was wrapping up another session. Joann is almost finished with her sweater, Joan is close and Ann is plugging away. They are all coming back in another month to show off their finished projects.

This darling baby sweater was completed by Regina, who has only been knitting for 4 months. Didn't she do a great job?

Kris finished her first crochet project! Isn't it beautiful?

Here is a ruffled scarf that Kris knit out of Blue Heron Rayon Metallic yarn.

Sandra knit the Drop Stitch scarf from Vogue Spring/Summer 2009 out of Schaefer Susan. The colorway is Empress Wu Zhao - gorgeous!

Janet has been busy knitting the Peace Shawl pattern from IKnitiative. The first one is out of Jojoland Superwash Melody, the second is out of Jojoland Rhythm and the last one is Kauni Color EQ.

Jane loves blue and loves making socks. The mottled solid blue is Malabrigo and the striped blue is Mini Mochi. She loves the Mountain Color sock patterns.

Bonnie has been busy making BSJ. This one is out of J.Knits Super Sporty

The Lovely Botanica Medallion Cardigan is going to be the death of me. I am certainly not going to be the first one at Woolbearers done with it. I think I have ripped it more than I have knit.
I was happily knitting away on it when I realized that one of the pattern stitches didn't look quite right. The Trinity stitch was the culprit. I was knitting it the way Shiri had instructed us to. Then, I taught my Beginner Knitting class the Trinity Stitch as described in Barbara Walker's Learn-to-Knit Afghan book. So, I knit a square following Barbara Walker's instructions. Then, I went back to the Botanica. I started the Trinity Stitch pattern according to Barbara Walker's instructions. She has you purling 3 stitches together and then purling back the next row. Shiri has you knitting 3 stitches together and knitting back the next row. I was so confused. I was thinking about leaving it the way it was, but Nah! I ripped it out and am now caught up to where I was to begin with.

I also caught another mistake. I did a left cross cable instead of a right cross cable. This time instead of ripping I undid the 6 stitch cable, dropped it back two rows. It was a little scary (you should have seen the look on Donna's face) undoing the stitches, because it's a cable and there's a lot more yarn between stitches. Then I used a crochet hook to loop the stitches back together, doing a right cross cable this time.

And voila! No more unknitting countless rows.

Anyway, it looks like Amy may beat us all. She's a lot further along than this photo show. Maybe she even has it finished by now, despite some ripping of her own. Jill is further along too.

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This beautful Peacock shawl was knit by Rachel out of Lacey Lamb. It took her 9 months and she did it while she was knitting in public! Unbelievably gorgeous

Gwen and Joanna are showing off their new Xreme sock knitting skills. They are both taking a class making socks - one inside the other. Can't wait until they are done.

Even though I had to rip part of my Botanica, I was determined to finish this baby blanket out of Muench's Big Baby. So soft! I used the mitered square blanket pattern from Mason Dixon Knitting.

Kris was showing off one of her many projects. This one is out of Woolbearers' Hand Dyed Sterling and the pattern is Branching Out from Knitty.com

Sabra is doing a class on June 20 , June 27 & August 1 for this Autumn Entrelac Shawl (pattern and yarn by Jojoland) You must come and see what a great job she did. Better yet, sign up for the class and make one yourself.