Getting back in line

This is the last week that the yellow Clean Air Vehicle stickers are valid California carpool lanes. Starting Friday I will have the pleasure of driving in the single occupancy lanes to and from work.



I'm not ready to shell out $$ for a new vehicle that will be eligible for the new sticker program, so it's back in line I go.

It was good while it lasted. Now I'll be able to catch up on my podcasts and audiobooks while I'm stuck in traffic.

No thanks to Arnold for allowing the current program to end.

Beauty shot

Lisa Souza Merino/Bombyx Silk, Lychee
2-ply laceweight


Bobbin #1

The bobbins are empty and ready for the start of Tour de Fleece on July 2.

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

I'm wearing entrelac.


A Step Above socks
Project details on Ravelry

More from the 24x7 Fiber Shop

Along with Superwash BFL, I have Superwash Merino and Superwash Merino-Bamboo-Nylon in the 24x7 Fiber Shop.

The Superwash Merino is Louet 7.400, one of my favorite fibers to spin. So pretty.


Available Now: Cool Chocolate

The Superwash Merino-Bamboo-Nylon is 60-30-10 and the fibers take up the dye at different rates with the bamboo adding shine.


Available Now: Waves


Available Now: Cool

I spun 4 oz of the Cool colorway and it's really soft. I can't wait to knit a pair of socks out of this yarn.


Cool bobbins


Cool 3 ply

HKF

For Karen...

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

I'm wearing the Leaf Lace Shawl.


Leaf Lace Shawl


Leaf Lace Shawl
Project details on Ravelry

My first Brioche on the needles

I've baked Brioche, but I haven't knit Brioche until now.

I took advantage of the Anniversary Sale at WEBS and bought enough Cascade 220 to make the Hedera Jacket designed by Nancy Marchant from the book Knitting Brioche (click to see a photo).

The jacket is worked in a 5-color Brioche Stockinette stitch. Because I was choosing colors solely by the photos on the web site, I selected 6 colors to give me more options. I never know how the colors will look together until I make a swatch and this was no exception.


Color combo #1
2450 Mystic Purple (lt purple), 8885 Plum, 7811 Eggplant Heather (dk purple), 9454 Rainier Heather (yellow/orange tones), 9449 Midnight Heather (blue with green tones)

I tried the colors above and changed the order a couple of times but I didn't like the results--the combination just didn't gel. For the next attempt I substituted Rainier Heather with the 6th color, Twilight Blue.


Color combo #2
2450 Mystic Purple (lt purple), 8885 Plum, 7811 Eggplant Heather (dk purple), 9568 Twilight Blue (bright blue), 9449 Midnight Heather (blue with green tones)

Now that's something I'd wear.

Here's the entire swatch, front and back. It's time to cast-on.


5-color Stockinette Brioche Stitch swatch (RS)


5-color Stockinette Brioche Stitch swatch (WS)

High Ground

We're getting CSA fruits and vegetables again, but this time we're splitting it with Spinnity's household which is much better for us. We're able to enjoy the produce without feeling the pressure to consume everything in a week.

The quality of produce from High Ground Organics is noticeably better than what our Farmers' Market has to offer. It's beautiful and delicious.


High Ground Organics CSA
Red Leaf Lettuce, Little Gem Lettuce, Strawberries, Red Radishes, Bunched Spinach, Bunched Mokum Carrots, Mei Quin Choy, Lacinato Kale, Summer Squash

HKF

ETA: In loving memory of Karen, a wonderful woman who I knit with. 3-1/2 years ago when I first started the HKF posts, I thought no one was interested and was going to stop the series. Karen told me how she looked forward to seeing what I was wearing every Friday so I kept it going for her.

This one's for you Karen.

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

I'm wearing Petroglyph socks.


Petroglyph Socks
Project details on Ravelry

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

I'm wearing Pomatomi.


Pomatomus socks
Project details on Ravelry

Runner-up

This year I entered one item to the California State Fair, a finished item that probably has more stitches than the last 2 years' entries combined.


Sanquhar Glove

More about the Compass Rose Sanquhar Gloves:

• These gloves were knit using #000 needles (1.5mm in diameter). That's thin.


• They were started in August 19, 2009 and finished on May 9, 2011. Clearly I wasn't working on them non-stop.


• The gloves were finished with sewn-in liners to making them warmer and more comfortable to wear.


• The pattern was designed by Beth Brown-Reinsel, one of my favorite designers and teachers. I was very happy to show her a finished glove at Stitches West this year.


• The yarn is Elemental Affects, naturally colored wool from Judith MacKenzie.


• Last but not least, the gloves would have never materialized without Spinnity who gave me the yarn and pattern.

Sanquhar glove and lining


Compass Rose Sanquhar Gloves
Project details on Ravelry

I received my Creative Arts Fiber Art Show Exhibit scorecard in the mail last week. The fact that I didn't blog about it immediately reflects how I felt when I read the results--

With lining too! These glove are very well done. You're in a highly competitive class!!

Honorable Mention

I guess I had more invested in this project than the judges could appreciate, exclamation marks notwithstanding. I know, I know, it's a big state and all that. I'm just lucky they didn't send the gloves back without any sort of placement.

If you're going to the State Fair this year, I hope you'll stop by the Creative Arts Hall to see all the winning entries--as well as my gloves.

Okay, the pity party's over. I'm already planning next year's entry. Something simpler.