Jack of all trades...

and master of none. That's how the saying goes. I lament on a semi regular basis that I don't focus very well, and so I dabble. Eternally dabbling. I do a bit of this and that, sampling, starting and not finishing.

Periodically, I attempt to change my nature and focus. Okay. THIS time I'm going to just buckle down and do exclusively. 

It never lasts.

My poor self esteem would appreciate it if I did, this being a beginner eternally is hell, but there's something to be said for being able to learn and explore everything from cooking to weaving. I speak just enough of many jargons to find myself able to listen in all sorts of places.

And that, that is a good thing. So I'll just embrace the knitting, spinning, weaving, cooking, dyeing, embroidery, lacemaking, preserving, sewing, costuming, singing and so on and so forth.

It might never make me 'awesome' at anything. Or known for being an expert, but my self esteem is just going to have to cope.

I do sometimes finish things, and its cold enough to appreciate a lovely new scarf. (Adapted from Kinzel's Rose leaf curtain pattern, Malabrigo lace yarn)

Knit Along

It's been a damn long time since I did a mystery knit along, but for whatever reason I read about this one and got the urge. Five parts, one per weekend, to make a narrow shawl (scarf really) out of yarn I already own.  It started June 1, I'll post some photos along the way. I'm actually rather delighted by this prospect! (In spite of having more than enough projects on the go, I mean /really/.)

I decided ultimately to branch out from the directions (I'm really terrible at following directions) and instead of the fingering weight wool suggested, I'm using a heavy laceweight cotton/linen blend. I also didn't bother to swatch, but I never do for lace or a shawl. I figure the first repeat or two is my swatch and if I hate it, I'll rip it and start again.

It looks interesting, I keep waffling back and forth on if I like or not, but as I'm 2/3rd of the way through clue 1, I think I'm keeping it.

And this is a closer shot of the pattern.

I think it looks pretty good in the linen, now that I'm looking at it again, different certainly, but good.