Frog Is A Four Letter Word

We had a beautiful time last weekend in the Outer Banks. The drive on Saturday was sunny and brief--who knew I was only three hours from North Carolina? I had to work most of the time I was there, but you know I scoped out the lys's and made time to pet yarn.

I went with my SIL and two nieces (if they're technically my niblings-in-law, does that make them Niblaws?) to Southern Shores where we found Knitting Addiction. I want to recommend this place not because it's bright and roomy, or because they have a resident sofa cat named Purrrrl, but because the people are great and they gave my nieces a "Young Persons Discount" much like other places give senior citizen discounts.

My nieces thought that was groovy, too, since they were buying needles and yarn for scarves out of their own allowance money. We went back to the beach house and all four of us cast on right away. (Oh yeah, like you thought I wouldn't BUY something.) I got a couple new mags--the latest VK and Knitscene, some needles and cute Karaoke from SWTC.

Then when I came home from my mini-vacation it was knit night at T's. I made progress on seaming up M' doubleknit bag. Now I just need to whip up some flowers to attach. Look for a "Top Five" next week on knitted/crocheted/felted flowers!

It totally rocks to have talented friends. Behold--

Shannon has started a knitting podcast, Unraveled.

Go check it out! She's so talented and has a great voice, too. I wouldn't know where to start with all that recording stuff, but I'm happy to listen to someone who knows what they're doing.

Did more dyeing over the weekend, but haven't had time to finish it up or post pictures. Very pressed for time the next two weeks. Talk to ya later!

I've been in a very shruggy mood recently. I guess it's the weather, not cold enough for a coat, but chilly enough for something around my shoulders. So I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite shrug patterns (free, most of them). I came up with this cute idea of "My Top Five Shrugs". Oh my god, do you have any idea how hard it is to limit yourself to ONLY five shrugs? Very. So since today's the 10th I didn't feel bad at all about giving you a top ten list at no extra charge. Haha. Don't be surprised if next month it's back down to a list of five somethings, or if there is no list at all. But I'll try.

Laura's Top Ten Shrug Patterns: (in a loose super-best to only-slightly-less-best order, but bear in mind these are the cream of the crop anyway)

1. One Skein Wonder by Stephanie Japel. Available for purchase at that link. YAY! I have some Brooks Farm stuff set aside for the first of many of these.

2. Turtleneck Shrug by Teva Durham. Available in Scarf Style. It's sporty and odd and preppy at the same time.

3. Hug by Jennifer Thurston. Available free at that link on MagKnits. I've made one of these for myself and one for M. Simple and to the point.

4. Eternal Embrace by Renée Rigdon. Available free at that link on the AntiCraft. I just bought some cream/tan ombre ribbon yarn on clearance at Michael's that will become this shrug.

5. Wide Rib Shrug by Rosemary Drysdale. Available in Vogue Knitting Fall 2003. This is the bitch that started it all. I bought the pink chunky yarn that later because #3 for this shoulder wrap, but after multiple failures I closed the magazine on it for ever more.

6. Kid Merino Lacy Shrug by Dawn Leeseman. Available free at that link. Just super-fun and cute. Can you totally see it in toddler size?!

7. Cleaves by Katherine Summer O'Neal. Available free at that link on Knitty. Looks nice and warm. Has the same je ne sais quoi as the turtleneck shrug.

8. Cable Shrug by Twinkle. Available in Vogue Knitting Holiday 2004. I totally dig Twinkle's stuff. See more here.

9. Sleeve Shawl by Wilma Sinsel. Available in Gedifra Highlights #33. This is one of those things I'll make as soon as I'm unemployed again.

10. I Do by Jody Prival. Available free at that link on Knitty. I'm loathe to put up a pattern with a reference to weddings, even if it is at #10. However, if you did this in black and called it, "I So Totally Don't, You Cheating Asshole", then I guess that would be okay. Because it is graceful and well designed.

Tell me about your shrugs.

This has to be the coolest thing ever!



This is a silk arashi shibori scarf I dyed yesterday. Man, what a fun technique! I was using Karen Britto's Shibori book as a guide. First I dyed a silk scarf with WashFast yellow.



Then I folded it and wrapped it around a pvc pipe. Then compressed it all into one area.



And somehow I didn't take pics of overdyeing it on the pole. But here's what happened. I mixed up some WashFast navy and poured it over the scarf repeatedly. Then to set the pleats I soaked it in vinegar, steamed it and let it dry.

Groovy, no? I have all sorts of ideas now for different color combos. Of course, I need to try yarn, too. I have a bunch of grey cotton I want to liven up.

*japanese for amazing

I've started the last piece of the doubleknit bag, the straps. So until I have something exciting to show you, here's something exciting to listen to.

Marie has a new KnitCast up.

And Brenda has started another knitting podcast, Cast-On.

I have to sew all evening, so this has been great listening.