Cozy Wrap

I have received my Reynolds Mandalaya yarn last Friday. I wanted to give something to my mother-in-law for her birthday/mother's day. I have been looking at lace shawl pattern for sometime. I did not think I would have enough time to follow the charts. I also wanted something practical and easy to take care of. When I saw Cozy I knew I could knit it in a reasonable time. My first deadline is the cowboy blanket, the project I hate due May 5th. It will be 5 strips and I am about half way with the 4th strip. After I saw the strips together, if I have time I will stitch school logo on the corners and of course graduation date. The second deadline is for the wrap, it will be due to first week of May so I can mail it. I should be able to knit while driving to OK for graduation ceremony. And last but not least my sister's cardigan which I am still waiting for Knitpicks interchangeable needles. I plan to finish it before my daughter's trip to my parents. She has reservation for June 15th. I have about a month to be selfish and knit something for myself.

I started swatching yesterday and I got the right gauge 18st/4" with stockinette stitch. But when I started lace pattern which is very simple by the way, it started looking too holey and loose. I changed the needles from circular to straight, then changed the size, knitted several swatches I did not like any of them. I am not crazy about the current one either I think it is mainly due to the color. I wish I had some bright lighter color but Stu thought charcoal would be safer and more versatile for his mom. Otherwise it is nice yarn, pure silk although it has funny smell. I will use lavender when I block it. Right now I am tired of trying I will continue with us sz 8 needles.

I also got Denise Interchangeable needles this weekend. I think choice of needles deserve another blog topic since first thing I have to decide with every project.