SUMMER SHRUG
I did finish the shrug for my son’s girlfriend. We are both very happy with it. It will be perfect with a black dress she has that has similar color butterflies on the skirt portion. She says my son needs to take her out to dinner so she can wear it! This one really showed the benefit of wet blocking. Amazing how much more even my stitches look after blocking. I tried to only “aggressively” block the 2″ of lace trim so the shrug wouldn’t be too baggy. I suspect it will stretch during wear.


SCHOONER WIPS
I cast on a third WIP for my schooner trip. I wanted something on larger needles and an alternative to knitting socks. So I cast on a shrug for me. I just love this Madelinetosh single ply and this blue teal. It will be a lace pattern, Ladybird Shrug. It’s a free, easy pattern on Ravelry, only an 8 rows pattern (and the even rows are all purls). I think this will look nice with a summer dress I plan to wear to a friend’s daughter’s beach wedding in September. Also it should look nice with a wine color cami I never wear as I don’t like so much exposed skin on me. So hopefully I’ll get more wear out of the cami.

STEPHEN WEST SPIRALING CABLES SHAWL #2
Since my two sock WIPS and my shrug WIP are intended for schooner knitting, I needed to cast-on a project to work on for the next two weeks. Next up was either a Ranunculus for me or knitting a second Stephen West Spiraling Cables shawl that my step-daughter requested. I do want to make sure I have her shawl done by Oct 1 when it will start getting chilly here. Starting the Stephen West shawl won out. It is a fun knit so I’m happy to make a second. This time I’m using a very dark color for the cables. Sadly they don’t show as well. I do have some tan yarn that is closer to what I used for my shawl. But the dark yarn is much nicer alpaca yarn and will be much drapier so I really want to use it.

Having 5 WIPS would normally stress me out but since 3 were specifically cast-on for trip knitting I’m not stressing. I will definitely spend the time after the trip finishing any WIPS that didn’t get done as well as the Stephen West shawl before casting on any new projects.
ACQUISITIONS
I made it through the week without buying yarn!! Everybody seems to be doing summer sales but I am resisting. It helps that my new LYS owner told me she does a big sale starting July 1 with some yarns marked down 75%. I may have new yarn acquisitions in next week’s post. But I did end up buying more reusable project bag tags from Katrinkles. I really like having my bags labeled with what’s inside.

That’s it for this week. I hope you have a wonderful week of crafting.
This is a year of projects (YOP) update. YOP is a Ravelry Group – make a plan for the year ahead for all your fiber activities, then update your blog each week. Plans can be calendar year (like mine) or mid-year start (like many). Following the plan is optional and creates some of the fun of posts. YOP is in it’s 11th year. It’s my second in the group. I’ve been knitting for five years.
The completed shrug is very nice. I like the lace on the ‘sleeves’. The Lady Bird shrug is a lovely pattern. The color chosen is so rich looking. he Stephen West shawl is going to be pretty. I like the dark cables. It makes it very unique. I think your Step Daughter will love it too.
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Thanks. I was gifted the teal yarn 2 years ago and couldn’t figure out what to do with it. I’m happy to be finally using it. I do think I’ll stick with the dark cables for my stepdaughter’s shawl.
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What a lovely shrug and what a great excuse for going to dinner! I look forward to seeing your other shawl take shape, I really like that pattern and think it would extend the wear of a lot of dresses/camis that I might not otherwise wear. And that colour is stunning.
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Thanks. I happy to be finally using the yarn. It’s such a beautiful color.
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Great job on the shrug! What fun to have projects to take on your schooner trip. You are so nice to knit for others. enjoy your Stephen West shawl…..I still haven’t made anything of his. looking forward to another year with you!
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I have to knit for others because I simply don’t need everything I can knit. Fortunately my daughter has friends that have asked for hand knit socks.
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It’s always so nice when the recipient of a handknit really appreciates it – and it sounds like the shrug was really well received! It’ll be fun to watch this version of the West shawl grow, and I’m looking forward to your trip because I know you’ll have lots to share on your socks when you’re back!
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Fingers crossed I get to Maine successfully. I am flying a day early, and having to rent a hotel room, trying to make sure I get there in time.
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I love the colors on the shrug!
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Thanks. I love the turquise.
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How fun to knit for someone so knit-worthy. 🙂 That is a pretty little shrug. And the Ladybird Shrug – what a pretty lacy pattern!
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Thanks. I do enjoy gifting my knitting.
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What a fun and cheery shrug, the lace on the arms adds someone extra. You sound all set for your exciting schooner trip, I assume you don’t get seasick. I can’t knit in the car and wonder if I could knit on a boat. I hope you’ll share some photos from your trip with us in future posts.
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We will see if I can knit on the boat. I’m bringing dramamine, ginger candy, and wrist pressure bands to help avoid getting seasick.
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The summer shrug turned out lovely and I’m really looking forward to seeing the Labybug – that blue teal yarn is gorgeous!
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Fingers crossed it turns out as nice as I’m imagining.
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I love the yarns you have picked out for your westknit shawl!
I can’t wait to hear about your trip, happy sailing (and happy knitting!!).
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Thanks. Fortunately my stepdaughter is happy with the dark yarn as well. I’m really please with how it’s knitting up.
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That shrug is so bright and cheery! Hope you have a great time on your trip. I can’t wait to hear about it!
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I can’t wait to see it paired with her dress. It should be fun for her to wear.
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