Stress Reaction

Though not in keeping with the usual lighthearted theme of a knitting blog, the recent suicide of my girlfriend's husband deserves comment. The waste of the loss of a life so little appreciated that it can be obliterated in a single drunken moment of irrationality.

It makes me sad.

When I witness the devastation that remains in the wake of this tragedy, it begs believability that 30,000 people a year consider this a viable option to end their psychological or physical pain.

It's not.

A friend of mine sent me this cute card to pull me out of my funk. How fun is this? It is the perfect example of the kind of day I need. The only difference would be to replace the white cat with my fluffy white bichon babies.

Flower Basket Shawl is finished! Though sorely in need of blocking (afterwhich I will post a picture of the fully finished shawl), I love it, I love the pattern, and I now know I love knitting lace. Already in stash are the makings of Birch in KidSilk Haze Nightly. Madli's Shawl from Interweave Knits Summer 2004 issue in KnitPicks Alpaca Cloud in Iris. And Bella from Fiber Trends in Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace in the Mixed Berry colorway.

In preparation for the move to the more challenging technique of Fair Isle, a major score on ebay, all from one seller, several of the much sought after and out of print works of the diva of Fair Isle and texture alike: Alice Starmore.

Until then (which actually should be soon, since it will take me until winter to finish one of these masterpieces), I have cast on another Clapotis (linking is surely unnecessary in this case, is it not?). Artyarns Supermerino #110 on size 8 Addis. I honestly think I am liking this better than the Lion and Lamb the pattern calls for (she whispers, knowing the sacrilege of this statement). It is soft, has tremendous bounce, and will hold up extremely well. It is, after all, machine washable. WOO-HOO!

The completed Flower Basket Shawl from IWK Fall 2004 issue and the FBS Redux hosted by the sublime Amanda.

The yarn is Filatura Di Crosa College in Herbal Garden. I lost count of the repeats but I think I ended up with fifteen (more than twice the seven called for in the pattern as written) and I blocked the garter stitch border out to seventy-two inches. It's large, but it came out soft, light, and IMVHO, absolutely lovely. I am tempted to make another, but I am also enamored of A Gathering of Lace, which I hope will arrive from Amazon before I have to take the one I am drooling over back to the library. Lace, lace, everywhere! Oh what to do next?!?

Mostly random, but I wanted to share a picture of my almost finished second Clapotis. I love this yarn! It's Artyarns Supermerino in #110. It's soft, bouncy, and will maintain the waviness that defines Clapotis, which is something the Lion and Lamb failed to do after blocking.

And, because one picture is just never enough, I will share with you the fun mug my friend Amy gave me. (We won't mention here that Amy was offended that I failed to mention her by name in my last entry). Hey Amy, I love you!

She knows my two of my greatest passions are breast cancer research and roses (well, three of my greatest passions, the third being PINK)! And the Avon polish I just had to share, cause it's pink, and the name of it is, get this, Leah's Courage! How fun is that?