one step at a time

...or otherwise known as a few rounds at a time.

It grew quickly at first.

And then it got bigger and slowed down.

I was so excited to get to the edging when it finally came!

By that time, it had grown really heavy.

So heavy, in fact, that the needle twisted off my cable! Luckily, I have lots of extras.

Then I ran out of yarn and needed some more from Cascade. And when it came, I was in the middle of something else. Yesterday, I finally wound it and got back to work.

And then - just like that - it was finished!

Whew. Blocking time; pattern writing time. I can't wait to use it!

too

It's time for another winner from my give-away!

Yarnologist! You are the second winner! Please email me at romi(at)designsbyromi(dot)com! Congratulations!

A little note here. As I post the winners each day, I will try to get in contact with each winner as best I can. If I cannot and I don't hear anything within two weeks of my posting a winner's name, I will draw another name. As the list of winners progresses, it will be completely first come, first serve. In other words, if you are the third winner, but contact me first, you get first choice. :)

Since I'm a computer volunteer for our home swim meets, I am always in the air conditioning. It can get a little chilly! So...this past weekend, I was working on my Carson Throw.

It's getting to the point where it's nice and warm on my lap! Perfect movie knitting in the evening. And perfect for loads of AC.

I love working on projects when I'm out in public because I always meet at least one other knitter or crafter! This time, I met the new coach of one of the participating teams. She was working on a pair of socks, though she didn't get much done at the meet. I had way more "waiting" time!

So - I know you are wondering.... My little experiment of that unstructured throw KAL based on changes posted on my blog? It did not work. For you or for me! So I am diligently working away, and when I'm finished, I'll put it all together in a pattern. Because I can tell I'm going to love this when it's finished (if I can wrest it from the rest of my family)!

autumn turns to winter

Our first snow storm was forecast this week for Thursday, and the leading front of wind on Wednesday would, I knew, blow the autumn landscape away for the season. So on Tuesday Mr. Romi and I left a little early on our way to pick up the boys from swim practice, so we could share with you one of the most beautiful drives into town ever. We stopped by the Carson River, and I wandered a little with the camera and a macro lens.

The afternoon light was slanting across the river

and across stands of trees and brush. An enchanted grove.

The last bloom was on the Rabbit Brush.

We left and continued up 395, pulling over on the side of the road where the pastures of the Carson Valley begin. I used the car to steady my telephoto lens.

The sunlight filtered over the mountains.

The light has a different quality here, and it was these colors that inspired my Carson wrap.

The cows were grazing calmly in the warm sun,

and I looked over towards the local golf course, watching golden leaves shimmer as they fell.

Today, after the windstorm rolled in and out with a dust of snow, the morning light dawned cooler, and the temperature had dropped 40 degrees (F).

The landscape was transformed.

It's somehow more personal. Softer.

Snow melted on the faces of rocks, and hid in shadows.

The sage brush remained, unaffectedly proud of its desert heritage.

Rabbit tracks showed

where they had played in the powdery snow.

And inside...

my yarn awaited.

carson has landed

...and pretty much on schedule, as well. You have no idea how happy I am about that; I have my amazing and incredible test knitters to thank! Introducing Carson.

What do you think?

Carson the shawl is named for the Carson Valley and Carson River near my new home in Northern Nevada (and those places were named for Kit Carson).

It's a stunning area, and this shawl is just perfect for a nice walk in the chill autumn air.

I love how cozy it is.

I know I will get a ton of wear from it this fall and winter.

The Dream in Color yarn is so squishy and well, Smooshy!

It holds the warmth around my neck so perfectly.

And the colors are luminous.

I wish you could all see and touch it in person!

But alas.


You will need to knit one for yourself!

And Jimmy Beans, my partner in crime, wants to help enable you out. They have kits available in the same yarn I have used above, but also in other stunning combinations. Plus the first 50 people who buy a kit will get a gift of beaded stitch markers from Knitter's Pride - cool, eh?

Now that I've shown you Carson, stay tuned for a little extra fun I've been having with the pattern!