I finally picked up the Ulmus again.

I wasn’t sure why I put it down, because I really like knitting. But I think it’s because I was getting closer to the edging which has lace in it. So I’ve decided not to do that edging. Not sure what I’ll do yet. Oh well - It’ll be something to look forward to.

I swatched!

It’s not washed or anything, but it’s the first step to making my first sweater. (Snowbird-ravelry link) I’ve chosen Rowan Felted Tweed. I rather liked the tweedy look of the designer’s sweater and this yarn is said to be machine washable. I’ll probably handwash but it’s nice to see the chances of felting my first sweater are lower. It’s dk and I rather like the idea better than making a sweater in worsted. Finding a pattern I love so much definitely helps with being intimidated by the prospects of knitting a sweater.

And as for being able to afford the yarn for this project, I’m going to return a couple of skeins in my stash to get store credit and that should help defray the cost.

Now keep a good thought that once I’ve washed the swatch, I’ve got gauge. I have my doubts … but I also have hope.

My latest finished handspun (right before starting Ravelympics):

Each ply was 2 oz of Merino/Bombyx Silk blend dyed by me.

I meant to take a picture of each bobbin before I plied but I forgot.

I wasn’t sure about it after I plied it but the washing made everything a bit better.

…and yes … I am calling it ‘Blurple’.

Yes, I am participating in Ravelympics. I decided that I needed a new spinning goal.

And what better way to brighten up the cold, snowy winter than to spin a rainbow!

I’ve finished the first bobbin - 5.4 ounces (It’s from The Painted Tiger - 8 ounces Corriedale Cross in the colorway ‘RBY Party’)

I think it’s going rather nicely.

I happily cast on for the Show Your Colors/Lavalette shawl a few weeks ago.

When I got to the lace section, things took a turn for the worse. I mean, this is the simplest of lace patterns, but I had to rip out the lace section three time before I could get it to work. If this hadn’t been a gift, I might have just let it go at the second try.

Now it’s going slowly but surely.