How's about some books?

Oops. Got a little sidetracked what with the whole laryngitis/fever/dizzy thing I came down with a few weeks ago.
But happily in the midst of that, my order from the lovely folks at Knit Picks arrived :) And what came was books :) Knitting books :)
Sadly, the bulk of my knitting books are still in Saskatchewan so I'm trying to build a small library here without duplicating what's back West.
So I have two titles here to ramble about today: The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting by Elizabeth Lovick and Folks Socks (updated) by Nancy Bush :)
I love lace knitting. I love the stitches and the histories of different areas where it has become an art. I was immediately drawn to The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting. This book is excellent. The opening chapter gives a lovely overview of the history of knitting in the Shetland islands. There is an essential skills chapter that explains techniques step-by-step. There are even six projects with suggestions on substitute lace patterns to try. My favorite part is the stitch dictionary. Organized by stitch and row count, it's easy to find just the right stitch to set off your current WIP. I'm currently working "Queen's Lace" onto a project! I love how this book is laid out. It's clear and concise. Just what a novice knitter needs to jump into the world of yos and K2togs :) While I'm no novice, the stitch dictionary and the history were of great interest to me. An excellent addition to my library.
Onto Folk Socks by Nancy Bush :) I wanted this book the first time it was out. And before I had a chance to get my hands on it, it was out of print. But now it's back and better :) And I have my own copy! This is such a great book. The history chapters alone are worth the price of admission! Then there are the lovely patterns, updated with more current yarn choices. I have several of Ms. Bush's sock books and have knit several pairs of socks from them. I don't see this one being any different. I especially want a pair of the kilthose! Another fabulous addition to my little library :)
And at nearly 1am (NDT) I think that about wraps things up. Two new books full of possibilities :) I shall dream of FOs ;) And WIPs of course. lol A girl can't forget those.
TTFN

Trips to the Frogpond & other Adventures

To start off, I don't recall making an announcement about this. CaoraCniotala on Ravelry, is no more. I changed my RavID to knit-dance-repeat in January. Now everyone can say & spell my name :) I'd like to thank sheepwokking ie Lindsay from knit-night, for uploading a pic for my Ravatar. Cathleen the (knitted) Irish dancer now smiles at everyone. Quite appropriate with the new name, don't you think?
I've been doing some traveling this year; to the Frogpond :p I had started "Eire" by Renee Leverington (Goddess Knits) last June. I was using Fibranatura's "Yummy" in lagoon (shades of green). Love the pattern. Love the yarn. The two have very seperate destinies. Frogged! I have started "Twisted" by Jodie Gordon Lucas (Knitty.com spring&summer 2010) with the "Yummy" and am soooo happy with the results :) I knit a pair of these for Mom's birthday using Punta Yarns' "Merisock Hand Painted" in shades of purple and they turned out fabulous! ("Twisted Grapes" in my Rav notebook) This is an awesome pattern & I encourage you to check it out if you enjoy sock knitting.
The Spring 2011 issue of InterweaveKnits has a number of must makes in it. Topping my list is the "Diminishing Gore Skirt" by Gwen Bortner. I cast-on using Bernat "Satin" in sultana (reddy-purple) Got nearly done the first tier of rectangles (it's done in entrelac), when I decided to try it on. Oh. My. Goodness!!!It was at least 10" too large! And I had gone down a pattern size to accomodate the heavier weight yarn :( Frogpond!
I acquired a Namaste Hip Holster a few weeks ago :) Love it!!! It's become my purse! I have id, debit card, keys & phone in the front pocket & a WIP in the larger section; perfect!
Speaking of WIPs, I've got a few ;) In addition to "Twisted", I'm working on "Ardrum" by Aisling M. Doonan; check her out on Ravelry. She designs gorgeous lace shawls. This is the 2nd of her designs I've done. Am using Fiddlesticks Knitting "Exquisite" in sapphire & this yarn is definitely that! It's a silk/merino blend in lace weight & is absolute heaven to work with :) I do recommend bamboo or other "sticky" needles. Also started "Abotanicity" by Cassie Rovitti (knitty.com winter 2007) for myself. Using some merino/nylon hand-dyed at my LYS. It's knitting up well :) Last active WIP is my Pinwheel Sweater (Shelley Mackie, Elann.com) which is also part of a KAL with my knit-night bunch. I'm using 5 shades of blue + charcoal & black in Briggs & Little "Heritage" & "Regal". This ones not going so well; I'm completely bored by it. Can't even force myself to pick it up. I'm about half through the second last color for the body & still have to go back & do the sleeves. Love the way it looks; just can't take the never ending plain rnds. I've got close to 500 sts in a rnd now, so a single rnd takes forever :P
My other adventures include walking over to Chapter's to check out the new books & magazines. In the past few weeks, I've added the following: "Entree to Entrelac" by Gwen Bortner, "A Knitting Wrapsody" by Kristin Omdahl & (last night) "Knitting Knee-Highs: Sock Styles from Classic to Contemporary" by Barb Brown. I love entrelac knitting, so it was only natural To get "Entree to Entrelac". I fell in love with 4 or 5 patterns in "Knitting Wrapsody"; the "Infinity Cardi-Wrap" in particular. And I needed a new sock book ;) This one is cool in that all the patterns are for knee-highs & she's included adaptations for nearly all the patterns to make them standard or ankle length; that triples the number of patterns!!! Yay!!! More socks!!!
Speaking of more socks, there are several in the Spring + Summer 2011 Knitty.com. It went up earlier this week :) I need to check that out further...
There we go; now you know what's going on knit-wise with me. Off for more adventures, hopefully avoiding the Frogpond!
TTFN