I’m a little late today because of lots of morning running around and shopping - groceries, not fun stuff :) There probably won’t be a post on Wednesday because I’m getting the works tomorrow and am not going to feel up to much for a couple of days.  C’est la vie :)

But this is what I’m working on :)

Finally, I just couldn’t leave the Manos alone and so I sat down and decided how I wanted to use the colors I have.  I decided that I need another “house” shawl because the Zen Garden Stole needs washing and I don’t want to be without a source of good, wool warmth while it dries.  Besides, I have to be honest here (and selfish) - I wanted something for myself out of this yarn.  I didn’t want to give it away.

So I evolved this procedure.

Cast on 7 stitches (first and last stitches are a slipped selvedge).  Increase at the beginning, on either side of the middle stitch and at the end on every right-side row.  Knit in garter stitch for 16 rows.  Purl the next wrong-side row.  Repeat until first color is used up.  Join second color (I spliced the yarn ends - I don’t want to lose a millimeter of this stuff!) and purl the next wrong-side row - then continue with the 16 rows of garter, purl next wrong-side row.

It’s making nice wide bands and I rather like the look.  Each color will be worked straight through and, of course, as the shawl widens, the color bands will narrow.  I’m very curious to see what it will look like at the end.

I’m having fun with it and got through the first and into the second color over the weekend.  I also, however, ran out of room on my size 10 US (5.75 mm) circular.  So. For now, I’ve got it on two circulars (do-able but awkward) and am waiting for a delivery of Knitpicks Options needles in sizes 9 US (5.25 mm) and 10.  I have longer cables for the Options needles so that will solve my problem and add to my set.  I love these needles and slowly, I find that I’m trying to knit everything on them.  Except for socks.  I’m still using my old aluminum double-points for those :)

A couple of colors have been added to the second panel of the blanket - the green, which I’ve talked about before, and the rest of the blue that I made the Horcrux socks out of plus a previously dyed strand of fingering weight.  I admit all these colors are going to look positively “chirpy” but I think I’m going to like that :)

Finally, I’m working on these…

...and I think of them as my Saturday-night-at-Chatters project because that’s when I work on them :) They are mitts and I’m so nearly finished with the first one here that I may go ahead and complete it before next Saturday evening!  I’ll save the Saturday spot for casting on the second glove :)

In addition to this, I find I’ve been thinking about two other things - lace and socks.  I have yarn for both things...so, I’m thinking!

Have a great week all!