After many weeks of working way too late at night to meet a couple of publication deadlines and prepare for a teaching gig, then spending nine intense days with our friends from England, I decided to take a week or so off work.
I am knitting on my KAL projects, sewing some shorts for my older girl, and posting–all the important stuff, without the time pressure. My daughter Eva loves insects, so I machine-embroidered this fabulous beetle on her shorts. She can’t stand the rough embroidery against her skin, so I placed it so that her pocket will come between her and the embroidery.

from Designer I sampler

This beetle was part of the design sampler that came with my Husqvarna Viking Designer I. What a wonderful machine! Then there are the rayon embroidery threads, which come in a dizzying variety of colors. And what about the metallic threads of every description? It makes me want to embroider everything.

Less than 60 rows to go on my KnitRedKAL/Personal Challenge cardigan. At three rows a day, that’s less than a month. Darning in the ends will take a few evenings. The button bands and neck edge will take another few evenings after that. I sure will be glad to get that thing finished.

I have taken up a new sideline as a scanning contortionist in order to bring you this picture of my JustForMeKAL scarf and my hair. Don’t they look nice together?

Diakeito Diamusee yarn

Many compliments to Evelyn Clark, who designed this scarf for FiberTrends. The pattern is extremely well-written. The instructions are very complete. I really enjoy following someone else’s instructions from time to time—so relaxing! All the work has been done for me.

See the bumps along each edge? Those are the picots. They are my favorite part of this project. Can you see how beautifully the point of the scarf is engineered? The point, the picots, and the line of yo’s along the edges were what sold the pattern to me. I love that the scarf is only gently blocked. Clark recommends just soaking the finished scarf, smoothing it onto a flat surface, and stretching out the picots by hand. It’s a lovely look.