It must be something to do with the temperatures and humidity rising that slows me down in my knitting. It feels like ages since I actually completed anything. My WIPs list in Ravelry is not getting smaller and I am running out of WIP bags and needles to use!

But I did finish one pretty special project last week. It’s my version of the Little Shells shawl, with a bit of modification.

I was lucky enough to acquire probably one of the last skeins of this yarn when Sundara offered them in a close-out sale recently. The red is a rich kind of red and it’s specially lustrous due to the 100% silk content. I love love love this colourway! And yes the yarn is not so bad either. 🙂

One downside is that the colour bled into my hands during knitting. Not so much though, unlike the STR Corbie or Rowan Denim, but it gave my fingernails a rosy tint that even Jackie thought I had nail polish on. I plan to wear this shawl on Thursday for a company event, paired with the summer dress I bought at Cache Cache the other week.

The pattern is dead easy but so enjoyable. It didn’t feel like hard work actually. The lace patterns got intuitive enough but it was still entertaining. I wanted to use up as much of the yarn as I could so I did some math and increased the stockinette section to 167 stitches before starting the lace. That gave me 3 extra repeats of the lace pattern.

Project: Crushed Shells (Raveled)
Pattern: Little Shells from Holly and Ella
Yarn: Sundara Yarn Silk Sport, colourway Crushed Cherries
Needles: 5mm
Cast on: 17 Aug 2010
Cast off: 20 Aug 2010
Notes: Modification as stated above

In other knitting news, Eibee has finished her first hat, which is also her first cable project. Yay! I’m so proud of her! She started this in June, set it aside for a long time and picked it up again about 2 weeks ago when she would work on it for a couple of hours.  She would not let me knit even a single stitch for her!  This is all her, well except for the pompoms.

Before I knew it, she was done! She started the decreases when we were at Debbie’s and actually finished the knitting then. She washed the hat when we got home and I made the pompoms for her yesterday. Yes, plural. There are three pompoms, one big and two small ones.

ETA: The pattern for the hat is Hermione’ cable and Eyelet Hat from JLYarnworks, here.

Last night, we went to see Grown Ups in the cinema and had ginormous burgers at GBK plus coffees at Barista. Can you tell we’re trying to use up all our Entertainer vouchers before they run out? Anyway, on our way out to the parking lot, the kids saw this window display before I even did and of course I had to take a photo! Look at those balls of yarn! Look at those needles! I wonder if the shop owner would consider selling me the yarn when they’re done with them?

So now it’s back to the WIPs. I need to finish at least 2 pairs of socks this week – I’m the worst test knitter in the world. Liz, I promise to make it up to you this week! x