Let's Head to the Polls

There has been some interest in doing another knit a long. T. and I have decided to leave it up to you. Please come on over to baadmedicine.blogspot.com and cast your votes. We were thinking of starting up in the new year so get your votes in now!

Thanks for being a part of this knit a long! I hope we'll have a chance to knit with you again. Don't forget to find us on Ravelry! (Teri and Joline.)

And the winner is....

Amanda - from Australia!!! From our random selection of all comments and posts, Amanda is the winner. We used a random number generator and then we counted back from all the posts and associated comments and Amanda's post was it!

I know there are lots of you out there who took your time posting and commenting - providing moral support for those stuck or lagging behind. Special mention to Maria (Mimicatknits), Cary (at Serenity farms), Kristina (beadntat), Catknip, Lauren, Linda F, Chanda in Mississipi, AnnieBee (who set up the flickr site), Metta (if you can read Swedish-check out her blog- I just look at the pictures) and everyone else who posted numerous times (I'm not trying to be exclusive - just these people were posting maniacs)!!

A KAL can only work if there's interest in the project and interesting people to post. You are definitely an interesting bunch. I've enjoyed meeting people from all over the world and working on this project with you all.

I am NOT done. J. is (this is the way our knitting relationship usually works - T. is the slow poke, J. is the over achiever - I can say that, she's currently away and won't read this!). Either way, we had fun.

Remember to add us to your friend list at Ravelry (we're Teri and Joline there). And keep checking out our blog for future KALs (January 08 perhaps??). Let us know what you'd like to KAL with!

Oh WOW! I've been away for about a week and today was the first time I had a chance to check in on the KAL and received this wonderful surprise! What's more, today is my birthday - how good is that? Thank you!

Final picture

Last Sunday my husband and I participated in a special birthday party. Our parish had invited all its members reaching the age of 80, 85 or 90 years during the second half of 2007. My husband celebrated his 80th brithday in August. We spent a very nice afternoon with good food and in pleasant company. I wore my Hanami for the first time with my dark-blue pantsuit and I felt very elegant. I had my husband take a picture of me and here it is.

I am looking forward to your next KAL and once again thank you for letting me take part in the Hanami KAL.

For me?!?

I was having a rather icky day yesterday when my wonderful mail lady left a package in my mailbox. For me?!? And it came a long way, too...from way up north of the border...via Canada Postes no less! Thanks T&J for my wonderful present..just for being a part of this KAL and chatting with everyone. I received a skein of KnitPicks Shadow in the Jewels colorway--the very shade I was considering ordering for my wintertime lace knitting. As if that wasn't awesome enough, there was a set of handmade stitch markers made with freshwater pearls in the same shade of blue and white. They are so pretty!

I know the KAL is winding up. My shawl is done and I'm contemplating my next move, but I just wanted to thank everyone for being here and contributing their ideas and experiences. It's been a great learning experience for me. It's also been a lot of fun getting to know you better. I look forward to meeting up with ya'll again after the holidays to knit up another great lace shawl design. Thanks T&J for having the courage to put this group together. I know moderating a group is no small feat, but I think I can speak for all of us in saying that we really appreciate your efforts.

{{{hugs}}}
Kristina

Wedding Hanami

Despite missing my friend's wedding ceremony due to an "incident" (this is how the RCMP officer described the problem) that closed the highway to Edmonton for approximately 4 hours on Saturday, my fiance and I made it to the wedding reception. I'm so glad we were able to make it to the reception - it was really lovely and my friend Lucy looked so beautiful. I brought my Hanami and here is a picture.

Of course I have to include a pic of the beautiful couple, Mr and Mrs Lucy and Mike Mussieux:

I felt terrible about missing the ceremony, but Lucy was very understanding. Apparently a number of people were traveling from out of town and didn't make it. Lucy and Mike are now heading to Hawaii for a very relaxing honeymoon.

The end is in sight....

After just keeping pace with the sections each week (finishing the final rows each Thursday night just before the next set is announced) I am now speeding through the last stretch and heading straight for home! It helps that I only did 5 repeats of Chart G instead of 8 (that area just seemed a bit too long for me in the photos I've seen), which got me into the first rows of the ruffle today. I can't wait to have it done and blocked and ready to wear this week!

I'm really happy with how the second half of the shawl has turned out - and how my experiment in 'erasing' sections of the transition chart helped the basket weave area blend into the flower charts. Here is a detail shot that shows how it all turned out (and that gives a pretty good idea of the color too)


Thanks so much to T&J for hosting the knit-along - even though I didn't post much, it really kept me motivated to keep knitting a bit each day to keep up with the pack and get this done. I can't wait to see her finished, blocked, and out on the town!

Megan

This Is it!!!

Well - we will officially close the KAL next Friday. We hope to give you this week to show us your finished project, or unfinished project! No judgment here!

So remember - we will announce the winner of the final prize next Friday!!

We know there have been lots of comments about the next KAL - you'll have to keep visiting our website (Baad Medicine) to find out! Possibly post- Christmas??

Thanks!
T&J

more progress

Well I did half a chart last night, but now that the stitch pattern is getting denser I think it's going to have to be an "at home" project from now on, at least until I pick up the stitches at the center and knit the easy part of the other side. ;) I'm liking how it's turning out. Maybe that will keep me working on it more often.

Just In Time!

A good friend of mine is getting married on Saturday, and my Hanami goal was to finish in time to debut my new shawl at her wedding. I'm very pleased to announce that I met my Hanami deadline! I did not do the ruffle at the end of the pattern - instead I did 6 rows of garter stitch, same as the at start, and added beads at the end at the cast-off. I'm so happy with how the Hanami looks. I now just need to block it (which I am a bit nervous about since I am a blocking virgin), and show it off on Saturday.

Thanks to Baadmedicine for a fantastic KAL! I can't wait for the next one!

knit night

It's Thursday again, which means my Hanami is going with me to stitch and bitch. I should have some progress to report tomorrow, barring any unforeseen circumstances. I love looking at the pics of the finished and way-closer-to-finished-than-I-am stoles. Lovely work everyone, and thanks for blazing the trail!

Progress!

Bead detail.

Charts A & B ... done & done.

Hanami Sheep and Yarn

Catknip asked about the sheep that provide the wool for the yarn that I am spinning for Hanami (also have silver grey that I am spinning for the Pendants shawl from Heartstrings) There are lots of sheep photos on my personal blog and sadly outdated website, but I will share one here of the flock back in July, grazing on pasture. The roving I am spinning this yarn from was a combination of most of my white sheep



Here is yesterdays spinning results, too. Another skein of 2-ply, about a fine fingering weight yarn. I am spinning this on my little Louet S45 (love, love, love this wheel and am sad to hear that Louet is discontinuing them)



I am thinking of altering my stole a little bit. I was thinking I might knit 4 repeats (or maybe 5) of the basket weave on each end and then in the center (the part that will fall across my back) doing one of the cherry blossom charts - either B or C. I don't think I will put beads across the back, but will have beads at both ends. I don't know though, I am really loving those beads!

What do you all think? I would love opinions!

Another Slowpoke!

Well, I just wrote a rather lengthy note with photos, hit publish and received an error message ;( Waaaa! So I will try again, and hope this doesn't appear twice!

Like "Catknip" and Maria wrote earlier, I am behind the rest of you, too ;) In fact I have only finished two repeats of the basket weave section. Here it is, not blocked at all, only stretched out for this photo. At this stage, it is only 16 inches wide but the wool will take a lot of blocking so I think I will easily be able to make 18 inches wide, though maybe not 19.



Can you see the faint difference in the knitting towards the lower edge of the my stole? That is a spot in my spinning where my yarn was finer and it shows. I am hoping it won't be so noticeable in the finished project, while being worn.

Here is a close up of the beads on the edge:



I love how they look, and glad that I decided to use them. At first I wasn't going to, but seeing photos of the rest of your projects I changed my mind!

One of the reasons I am so slow is that I am spinning my yarn, from my own sheep! It is 100% Corriedale Comfort Wool! You can see more photos and details of my stole at my own blog, Serenity Farms, plus a picture or two of the sheep who provide the fleece that I spin from.

I can't tell you how much I have been enjoying this KAL and the relaxing nature of it all! Many thanks to T&J!

Remedial Hanami Knitters Unite!

Are you behind on your Hanami? Frustrated with the slipknitpassover? Don't be discouraged! I've just finished my third repeat of the basket weave. Yes the destination is important but so is the journey. I won't be finished with everyone else but I will finish (start anthem here). It was very inspiring to see everyone's beautiful work. Look for pictures of my finished Hanami on Ravelry. Oh and T & J? When does the next one start?

Keep Posting

Remember - only 11 more days till the KAL is over. That means only 11 more days of posts until we announce the final winner. The more you post/comment - the more likely you are to win.

T&J

Bead Placement

Hi All,
WOW, all the finished Hanami stoles (and even the unfinished ones) are all so gorgeous!!! I'm a Ba-a-a-d KALer but had to finish up some projects, so I'm just getting started. I was wondering if I could gather up some ideas for bead placement on the blossom part of the stole. Those of you who beaded... where'd you put them? I appreciate the input.

Thanks,
Maria
(cross posted on Ravelry)

Success!

I'm in love!

This finished up so quickly! I was just about to start Chart G and before I knew it I was casting off a ruffle! Amazing! I think I might be making this again in the blossom only version for my sister's wedding. I'm already looking forward to it!

Finished

My Hanami is finished and I love it. When I had started knitting the Cherry Blossom part, I just couldn´t stop. Although I left out the ruffle ending and made the ending equal to the start with 6 rows of garter stich and added one bead in every other stich of the cast off. I hanged the stole on my mannequin to show you how nice it looks.

Thank you T&J for a Knit-A-Long that I have enjoyed very much.

unstuck

Well, I went to stitch and bitch last night and grabbed the Hanami bag on the way out the door. I was the first one there, so I had a cup of chai and finished chart D while I waited. You know, I've brought this shawl to stitch and bitch every time I've gone since I started. I think except for the first few rows, I haven't knit on it anywhere else. So maybe the trick is to go every week. ;)

Week 7

Can you believe it's week 7? I'm loving this Blossom section but as I progress through the pattern rows, I'm finding the charts more and more difficult to read. Chin up, though, there are only a couple of charts left!

This week, as you can imagine, we'll be tackling Charts E and F. You'll find that the rows become quite tricky as you go but don't worry about making mistakes. Who will be able to tell if you make an error here or there? Not me!

Here's my Hanami. Only one more chart and a ruffle! Hurray!

I can't wait to block this thing.

Hanami-ing on Heroes

Anyone watch Heroes last night? Did you catch a glimpse of the cherry blossoms in Japan? I thought it was very fitting as I was working on my Hanami (trying to catch up from a week off of knitting).

slugfest redux

Well, still haven't touched it. Still don't really want to. I think I'm bored. It's complex enough to need the chart for the cherry blossom part, but not complex enough to be fully engaging. I have a bunch of stuff on the needles right now, and I'm looking forward to the finished product, but lately I would just rather knit something else. Sigh.

Love/Hate Relationship

I admit that Hanami and I are having a love/hate relationship. Lately it has been a more hate hate relationship. I totally love the end product of this stole. I would love to finish her as she is lovely but after working on her for a few weeks now, I have just complete my first (yes, I said 1st) repeat of the basket weave section. I'm elated and annoyed at the same time. Why oh why am I having such difficulty with this stole. Maybe Hanami is a jealous lady and doesn't want me to share our time.............maybe she wants to push me over the edge.....I was seconds from frogging her this weekend. I will not let her get the best of me.

One down...................six more to go (sob! - I can do it, I think I can - I think I can - I think I can).

EDITED TO ASK: Where are with supposed to be in the KAL? I see so many gorgeous knitted stoles and I realize that I am behind, why behind, but would like to know if we were knitting along weekly with the KAL, where are I supposed to be? Thanks. :)

We have a completed Hanami in the house!!!

Yea! I finished my Hanami last night and blocked it today! Beautiful! Whew! My first major lace piece and I'm hooked. However, I found out I hate blocking. I need to find someone to do that part of it - I'll pay!!! I used weedeater string and my back is killing me from bending over and threading it through on the floor!

It was worth it though! Now, to find an occasion to wear it - it'll have to wait - Mother Nature still thinks it's summer here in Mississippi!

Chanda in Mississippi

If you want the truth...

...then I'll bore you with my blog posts. Only click through if you want to know how I really feel, because I really pull no punches.

http://www.psps.vox.com/

Mathematically I'm sitting at 80%. I think I can maybe finish it today, if I step away from the computer. I really want to finish it, and now.

Obligatory shot of boiled a$$...

Have a great Sunday, all -

laniered

Finished!

Once I hit the cherry blossoms the stitches just flew off my needles. Getting round to blocking my stole took more time. I'm pleased with the end result. It was a delightfully easy knit.

Week 6

Well, we're three quarters of the way there! How are you feeling about your Hanamis? Mine is shaping up quite nicely, thanks.

This week, we'll just carry on with the Blossom section. We'll do Charts C and D. Would you like to see an example?

Cause I happen to have one right here.

Keep up the great work!

Such a slow poke...

I'm still only on the fourth repeat of the basketweave - I would have completed the fifth, but for a mega-ripping session a couple of nights ago. The cause? A mis-placed square and a strange gain in stitch count at one end. I'm using Habu something-or-other, and it was a bit of a pain to rip, but much easier than kidsilk haze.

Still, it does look lovely, and I'm getting into the flow of the basketweave now that the markers aren't there (fingers crossed for no more mis-placed squares!).

~x~

slugfest

I must admit I have been a slug, having not even opened the Hanami knitting bag in over a week. It's still by the desk in the kitchen, behind a folding chair. No reason in particular, just been working on other projects. I think I went KAL crazy this summer and fall. ;) Lovely and inspiring to see everyone's WIP's and finished stoles. I'll have to open that bag up tonight, I think.

Linda

I spent the weekend knitting like a madwoman....

..... AND

I got caught up! Here is the end of the week 4 assignment and the transition to the cherry blossoms part of the stole. It's good to have something new to work at - even if it's stocking stitch!

Almost caught up...

Hi everyone,

I've been traveling quite a bit lately and am still behind on my Hanami, but I'm working very hard to catch up. I'm almost finished the basketweave section. I'm quite happy about this because it requires a lot of concentration (for me, anyway) and I'm finding I'm having more and more difficulty concentrating on the pattern. I'm hoping I haven't made any mistakes...

Anyway, here is my progress. I'm very much looking forward to starting Chart A!