F.O. - Frances's Lace Scarf

It's finally finished! Yeah! My aunt's lace scarf - and here it is:

Okay, that picture didn't look like much. Here is a better one that is closer up, but still before blocking.

Here it is after I washed it, I've always got Winston hair to remove from anything I knit, and I'm using my new blocking wires to block it.
Here's a close up on one end using the blocking wires. What is this wonderfulness? Well, it is the North Star Scarf pattern from the book Arctic Lace. The yarn is laceweight and it is 100% cashmere by Jojoland. It is so soft! It is fabulous, and all the while I've been working on it whenever others of have seen it the inevitably end up touching it and then rubbing it against their cheek, it's THAT soft! It took about 420 yards of yarn, so a little over one skein. I have around 370+ yards left to do some other wonderfulness with. After blocking it will be around 57 inches long and 9-1/2 inches wide. I'm giving it to my aunt Frances for Valentine's day. I think she'll be surprised.
It was neat to use the blocking wires and they definitely will help for more consistent blocking. But, threading the wires through the sides of the scarf was tedious! That part gave me a back ache. Oh well, the price one pays for beautiful knitting!

In other knitting news I've started these:


They are the popular Leyburn sock in STR lightweight in the colorway Rocktober. They are a gift for one of my good friends. I bought this yarn two years ago with her in mind and just haven't knit fast enough to get anything done. I was also waiting for a pattern that really went with this yarn and I have found it! This pattern is great with busy colorways and it highlights the colors really well. My friend loves fall colors, so I think she'll enjoy these socks.

I have another knitting project on the needles, but I can't talk about it yet. I'll post more when I can. Sorry I haven't posted in a bit. I've been dealing with some health issues that have slowed me down. I'm getting better, I'm doing a lot better than I was a week ago, but it is a slow, day to day kind of healing.

I'm headed to Madrona in 5 days! Woo hoo! Arctic Knitter and I are headed there again to meet up with Sandy and have a knitterly weekend filled with knitting goodness. It will be my first real test of not buying any yarn, but I think I'll do okay. I do want to pick up some sock blockers. I need another set for me, at least one, and I need a set in DH's size - buddy's got big feet - and you know what that means...giant socks! ;0)