Ah, March in New Mexico. Windy as heck, and still a bit cold, but I can live with that because this lovely blue sky is around. And you know what blue sky means? Car wash season! My poor car was dirty as heck, and just begging to be washed. I don’t remember if you’ve ever seen my car (I’ve certainly talked about it a lot since it seems to be an accident magnet), so here it is. It’s not quite your average Ford Taurus, but then again, I’m not exactly your average guy. It’s got quite a fun look I think, especially when it’s all clean and shiny. The gas mileage isn’t the best, but it’s fun and very utilitarian, so I like it. Plus, when you’re driving around in the summer with the windows and the sunroof open, it makes all the chicks go wild. (Alright, so maybe I put Dallas and Emma in the car too…they always illicit oohs and ahhs from the ladies…)
Speaking of ladies, I made one lady very happy last night, when I unveiled her birthday present a few days early. That’s right, that blurry picture of purple-ish knitting from a few days ago is actually a shawl for my Mom. It’s the Manta Ray shawl from Yarnplay, and I’m knitting it with my 900 MHz Merino in the Raspberry Sherbet colorway. I’m really enjoying this knit, and the yarn is quite nice too. It’s the first time I’ve knitted with my new base yarn, and I must say, it definitely gets my seal of approval. The shawl pattern is very simple, it’s just garter stitch and some yarn overs, but it looks very elegant.
I was going to wait and surprise my Mom, but I went over there for dinner last night and really wanted to knit on it, and also it kills me to not be able to show what I’m knitting on the blog. So I decided that she could have the surprise a bit early, and she was very thrilled. My original plan was to have the Garden Shawl done around this time, but I realized that I just can’t push it, and it’s going to take a bit more time to wrap that one up. So I cast on for this Manta Ray in the mean time, figuring that if I can’t finish the Garden Shawl so soon, I would at least like to give my Mom something handmade sometime soon. It’s been a quick knit too, I cast on maybe 8 or 9 days ago, and it’s nearly done. Most of that is because I’m using fingering weight yarn on US 11’s, which not only makes it light and airy, but very fast to knit.
Now I have to go hit the books (midterms start next week!), despite how strongly I just want to pick up the Manta Ray and knit all afternoon. Such is life when you’re a grad student I suppose. Maybe someday I’ll actually have weekends where I don’t have to do some form of homework…
Have a great weekend!
It’s got to be 78 degrees today in Santa Barbara and my car is dirty! It’s not so bad looking when it’s cloudy. Maybe I can get my husband to wash it??? Love the shawl. Lucky mom.
Hey look! You’re knitting! ;)
That’s really pretty and will look so nice on your mom!
adam! i love the Manta Ray that you knit! would you mind if i posted a photo to the Yarnplay blog and the Yarnplay Flickr page?
Cute car!!! And oh so clean. Clean cars are just a pipedream here for now… Lovely shawl!!
The shawl is amazing!!! Don’t know what I did to deserve such an amazing son! Once again I can’t wait for you to finish my present…it definitely takes the sting out of turning 46! So hurry up already, my birthday is on Friday!!! The car looks great, spring is in the air…knitting may have to take a back seat now that gardening season is upon us! Who can sit inside when the garden is calling????
Gorgeous! I love the look of the Raspberry Sherbet knitted up even more! Yay!
well done on the shawl…looks gorgeous. Any chance of a pic with Mom wearing it? Speaking of whom>>>> many felicitations for Friday!!!!! been a while since I was your age:))
That is looking great! Glad it is knitting up pretty fast for you! Very pretty colorway!
oh adam, the shawl is great! i love arter stitch shawls; so practical and easy to wear!
Hey Adam
Cool shawl and car!!! I got a PT too! I absolutely love it! Mine is a magnet too for abuse from other drivers, people can’t stop hitting it! Anyway, she’s bright blue runs real nice, too!
Hey Adam~~~
I also have a lot of homework and no time knit my sock!!!
It i really cool shawl your working on!!!!
By the way, I was tlaking about your blog, my new blog post!!!
Come and check it out!!!
Bye
My blog: http://charleslifeknitting.blogspot.com/