Having fun knitting on my Ishbel scarf!

I have been working on my first Ishbel lace scarf for a few days now and I can't explain it, I am so relaxed and at ease with it, I don't want to put it down!  Unfortunately life gets in the way, work, chores, etc.  I find myself not wanting to do anything but knit on my scarf.

I have been working on my Ishbel scarf since I started it on Mother's day, grabbing a row here and there when I can.   I have totally loved the Ishbel group on Ravelry and I am amazed when I see some knitters start and finish in two days time! How do they do that?  I sure wish I had that kind of time.  Ravelry is a gift to knitters and it joins us together with a common bond; the sincere love of knitting.  I thank everyone who willingly shares there talents with others, I am learning a lot.

Knitting is a joy for me.  Every time I get to sit in my special place and relax with my knitting,  I feel like everything is okay in my world.  My thoughts calm down, I feel a sense of ease with my needles and the rhythm of knitting is better than anything else that is soothing to the spirit.  Add a candle and some quiet music and I am in heaven!

I am finding lace knitting a bit challenging;  I have to concentrate on the pattern.  If I add just one stitch or yarn over in the wrong place then everything is off.  I found that to be especially true in knitting this scarf;  the center yo, k, yo shifted and I had to start back to where I needed to be!!!

The yarn from Miss Babs is wonderful.  The Sandi's Red colorway is beautiful and I can't wait to see the finished product.  I will continue to keep you posted.  I want to give myself one day off, to stay in my jammies and knit all day long!!!  Wonder how far I will get on my Ishbel then?

Thinking about what to create next!

It has been over a week since I returned from the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.  It has been two years since I attended this festival last and I had high expectations about renewing my creative juices.  Attending such an incredible fiber festival was overwhelming and exhilarating!

Trying to decide what I wanted to bring home with me wasn't an easy task either.  Looking through booth after booth of handyed yarns, spinning fibers, patterns and knitted samples was uplifting to me.  I was also experiencing  a condition called Fiber Overload, so I spent quality time in the sheep barns as well.  Somehow petting a gentle lamb always makes me feel special and puts me in the right frame of mind.  They are such gentle creatures and very loving animals.

What I decided to get started on first was my very first attempt at the Ishbel lace shawl that everyone is loving on my Ravelry site.  I purchased the most beautiful hand-dyed Merino wool (Sandi's Red) at the Miss Babs booth,  some Addi Turbo lace needles and off I started.

I have been knitting socks for quite awhile and my loom is sitting half warped with a beautiful goldenrod mohair textured scarf;  but somehow the Ishbel shawl was calling me.  I have begun knitting this afternoon on Mother's day, while remembering my precious mom. This was my first Mother's Day without her and I was feeling emptiness.  I found the rhythm of the knitting needles calming and comforting today.  I look forward to seeing the work progress and wearing the finished piece in honor of my mama.

Knitting is my friend, it can make everything alright when my world is turned upside down.  It is something that you can take with you, something that is soothing and something that has been around for centuries.  Just the sound of two needles clicking together, row after row creating something wonderful is really magical.  It just doesn't get any better than that!  I am still saying thank you to the little older ladies that taught me to knit when I was just a little girl, they gave me a gift that I am still opening up today!