Learning to Lace

I have wanted to knit a shawl in lace since I first started knitting, well after socks, of course.  I have seen some spectacular shawls in magazines and on Ravelry.  So I saw some lace weight yarn that wasn't too expensive the other day and thought I'd give it a go.  I have just the top part started, eventually the lacey part begins.  I hope I don't mess it up.  Better make sure I use those life-lines that I learned with my scarf!!

Here's the new socks too:

Keeping busy, just like I like it!

Insanity knows no bounds

...at least mine doesn't.  I have 7 open projects.  I cannot believe how close some are to completion but not done yet. 

1. The racing socks are two inches from the toe.  Just an hour or two and they will be done. 
2. Another hat, but its actually done, just not photographed and I don't like it all that much and its black, blah, blah, blah. 
3. Then a diagonal dishcloth, its done but blocking right now.
4. I still have the two knitted sweaters started at Christmas. This is actually 2 projects but they are in the same project box so I'm not counting the second for now.
5. I have the free-form capelet that is so nearly done its unbelievable, maybe and hour left to completion.
6. I went completely insane and started a crochet short sleeved jacket. its about 40% done.  I am quite smitten with it.
7. A small portion of a crocheted hat which I started only because I wanted to try out the stitching.

Worst of all is I saw this really cool crocheted shawl pattern (one of those free ones on a card in the craft store).  I bought all the stuff except one color they didn't have.  I searched around on the internet for it and it seems to be DISCONTINUED.  That is so annoying. But I guess is kept me from starting something else.  /sigh

So why all the crochet?  It uses way too much yarn.  So pretty though.  I do want to knit.  I'd rather knit actually.  So tomorrow, really, I'm going to finish something and put it on this blah-blah-blog.  Really, time to tuck in my crazy and look like a normal person again.

Oh, yeah, I had to order another yarn ball winder!  I can't believe I've broken another one.  This new one has brass gears though, not plastic like the last two.  I hope it will be as persistent as I am.

So if anyone locates some Caron-Spa in Purple Rain, I'd really appreciate it. I just need one skein. 

Swathe Sleeves and Free-Form Crochet

I've been thinking about adding sleeves to the Swathe sweater.  I wore it during some cool-ish evenings in March.  I've been trying to decide if I want to join a straight-topped sleeve or one that curved; taper the sleeve or not; add a garter row or two to the wrist; and, finally, show the stockinette or reverse it like the body of the sweater.  I guess I have all summer to decide.

So, in the meantime, I bought this online, download booklet called free-form crochet.  There's a capelet in there that is really pretty. So I started it.  Looks good so far. I started with multiples of the basic pieces, 12 flowers, 12 large leaves, 6 broad leaves and 22 lacey leaves:

Then join the various pieces.  I drew a paper "form" for this formless design in order to make it look like I wanted.  The side pieces were mirror images of each other.  Here's where I joined the flowers and large leaves:

 and the other leaves for the front and back:

The next part was to crochet some mesh around the joined sections:

So then it was Talladega 500 weekend and my husband really wants "racing" socks so I had to set that aside and get something going on the socks.  I am trying to figure out how to get the "17" on them. This picture isn't up to date, I've added two stripes at the ankle and the heal is started in black. The instep and remainder of the foot will be yellow but the toe will be black. The yellow is also much brighter than the picture shows, DeWalt yellow to be exact. 

I've been obsessed with the socks.  They are going so fast, they really are racing socks!!!

I'll have a lot of church to do this week but hopefully I can finish the capelet and the sock this week.  Stayed tuned!