Lovely lace

I received the new Knit Picks catalog yesterday. They have a few new colors and some new spring lines, which is always nice to check out but what really got me is when I saw this pattern: Rona Lace Shawl. It just looks so lovely and, while they have it in a light color, I could easily see it in a darker color for autumn or winter. Since I was planning on picking up some Dancing sock yarn, I think I'll add that pattern to my list. I have a couple skeins of the Skacel Merino Lace in white and burgundy, both of which would be sufficient.

The other thing I want to pick up are a few skeins of Socks That Rock yarn. Googling shows lots of places where you can look at it but I can't see which site to order from. I know I'm probably being ditzy, but could anyone who's used this yarn tell me the best place to get it from? In particular, colors I'm really in love with are the Blue Moon Rock and Emerald Isle. Yummy. :)

I'm hoping to finish Clapotis and the Common Welsh Green socks next week. One of the CWG socks is almost done. And I am going to see Andrea Boccelli in June and would love to wear Clapotis to it.Vacation from work so that means lots more knitting time. And that's got to be a good thing, right?

Goodie time!

I've been rather absent from Blogland this past week due to a nasty head cold. With my head so stuffed up there wasn't any room for brilliant posts I guess. I'm feeling fully recovered now, though. It must have known that my birthday was around the corner and given up as a gift to me. ;)

Since today is my birthday that means that you all get the presents! There were quite a few entries. I must not have chosen a difficult enough question for you all!

I broke out my trusty random number generator and came up with two names.

Receiving the Rose Garden yarn, purple bear and candy is... Heide!

The Trail yarn, yellow bear and candy will be heading out to Shannon's house!

Congratulations to you both! I hope you enjoy your prizes.

As I said, there were a lot of entries and I hated that I didn't have a package for each of you, so I am sending everyone who entered this week a set of stitch markers. I have your e-mails and will be contacting you in the next day or so.

I have had such a wonderful time during the last month with this contest. Some of you have been commenting all along and I've known you for a while. Many of you are new names and I hope will become new friends. Each week my family would ask where I was sending a package to and they marvelled over how small the world has become. It's a lovely thought, especially for me today, with a family who is far-flung. Through common interests and shared experiences, we are able to create a global family. And that is what celebrations like this are supposed to be about.

Another Tuesday is here

And, this month, that can only mean one thing. Time to announce this week's winner and show the prizes for the final contest.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has entered so far. To tell the truth, since I am such a little blog, I was worried that no one would show up. Instead, there has been a lovely turnout each week and I've made a few new friends, which is always such a wonderful thing.

Enough of the mush. You'll be getting a lot more of that next week. ;) On to the fun stuff!

As before, I used a random number generator to determine the winner of this week's prize. And that person is... dreamcatcher! Congratulations. The yarn, sweets and stuffy will be heading your way.

Now for the new prizes. As I stated after the first week, everyone is again eligible for the drawing, even if you won earlier in the month. Because of that, and because this will be the Grand Finale, the rules are changing slightly. You need to answer a trivia question. I'll put all correct answers into a random number generator and award two winners next week on my birthday.

Ready for the question? Since this blog is called Molly's Needles, I thought I'd have a question about the original Knitting Molly. Here it is: Molly Weasley had two brothers. What were their names and what happened to them? Email your answer to mollyblogcontest at gmail dot com by 6PM EST Saturday. The winners will be announced next Tuesday.

I suppose you'd like to know what you are trying to win, wouldn't you? Well, here are the prizes (apologies for the slightly dark photos):


This lot contains 6 skeins of Knit Picks' Gossamer yarn in the Rose Garden colorway. That's 2,640 yards of laceweight. Enough to do a couple triangles or stoles or one big square. However you choose to knit it is up to you. There's also a little purple-flowered teddy and some truffles. You know I wouldn't deny you all your chocolate, right? I'll also include a set of 6 stitch markers.


Here's the second prize. Another 6 skeins of Gossamer, this time in Trail. A flowered bear, more chocolate and a set of stitch markers.

I hope to see your entries soon. I've had quite a lot of fun giving away these packages over the last few weeks. I hope you've enjoyed it, too.

Pressies are such a nice thing!

Along with most everyone I talk to, I've been battling a horrid cold for the last few days. Therefore, recent presents have really perked me up.

First there was the alpaca/silk yarn I mentioned in my last post. dreamcatcher, I think I may make a pair of mittens out of them but I'm not 100% decided yet. What types of projects have you considered with your Debbie Bliss?


If you haven't seen the lovely bags that trekcelt has been making, you should go take a peek. She's quite talented.


I'm not just saying that from the pictures because look what found its way into my mailbox today! Isn't that fabric too cute? I absolutely love it and the Welsh Green sock went right in. Thank you, so very much, trek!

Speaking of the WGD socks, I'm about 3 rounds from starting the heel flap. As long as there are no unforeseen occurances, I should have the heel turned by the end of the weekend, as I had hoped. Oh, I can't wait until I can try it on and see how it turns out!


While I was working on the sock and awaiting the running of the Kentucky Derby (my mom, aunt and I did a pool together. I won!), Blaze was engaged in more important activities, like trying to catch that rogue bit of blue yarn in the corner.

Murcus' Socks are done!

I have to say that I am pleased with how they turned out. The colors blend so nicely and really give the impression of light playing on the water. The only change I would have made might be to have picked the stranded pattern up on the back of the leg sooner. I left it in plain knit for a couple inches above the heel turn just in case I wanted to wear them with closed shoes- I was worried the stranding would be too thick and rub. Oh, and I would have picked up a stitch in the gap when starting the round after the heel so I wouldn't have little holes to close. Other than that, I have no complaints about them. I'll probably pick up more of this yarn, as it's pretty affordable and seems to breathe nicely in warmer weather.

Now that they are done, I can turn my attention to the lonely, abandoned Welsh Green sock. I'm determined to get at least as far as the heel turn this weekend on it. I'd like to start the second one sometime next week.


And, look at this incredibly yummy yarn I got from Trish. It's by Diamond Yarn and called "Natal". The blend is 75% baby alpaca, 18%silk and 7% polamide. *squishy* I think I may make a pair of cozy mittens out of this. Thank you, again, dear.

Note to self

Just because Patternworks is now carrying Austermann Step and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in gorgeous colors does not mean you have to buy it all right now. Show a little restraint. I know you love your Purple People Eater socks and that the Common Welsh Green socks are as soft as anything you've ever felt, but you will have to face the Lord and Master of the House when he doesn't get his ration of catnip. And you know how upset he gets over that!

Some interesting stuff and Week Two results

At one time or another, we may have all thought about designing something fabulous, right? If you've ever had that dream or are just curious about what it's all about, check out Melissa's blog. She's doing a series on her experiences in the world of fashion.

Thank you for your entries in this week's contest. As with last week, I used a random number generator to determine the winner. And that person is... Trish! Congratulations! I'm sure you'll make something wonderful from it.


That means that it is time to announce the prize for next week's contest. It is turning into a month of lace here. I'm giving away another skein of Skacel Merino Lace, this time in a very pale pink. And, to satisfy all you chocoholics, there is a bag of caramel truffles (really yummy!). Next, to keep from neglecting the men in our lives, a cute little ram stuffy. The picture doesn't quite capture him- he has a pink and blue mottled body and his horns and feet have silver sparkles. He's a rather dapper fellow. ;)

To enter, just send an e-mail to mollyblogcontest at gmail dot com with the line "Birthday Contest Week Three" by 6PM EST this Saturday. I'll announce the winner next Tuesday along with the big finale to the contest. Best of luck to everyone!