What a week!  I started the blue/white afghan for the family reunion on Monday  August 13, 2012.  (raffle was yesterday).  My procrastination caused me to lose some sleep this week trying to get the thing done!  I did manage to finish it just in time though, luckily (I was weaving in the ends half an hour before leaving to go to the reunion).   So now my latest afghan has a new home, the happy new owner said it was going on her bed.  The UK in the center of the afghan was removed, it just didn't work out the way I had hoped it would. So here is what I have been working on this week.

Just finished testing a hat pattern on ravelry.  Learning new things all the time!  My hat is blocking now using a dinner plate.  Blocking using this method and making a slouch style hat are both new for me.  The hat is made using knit picks felici yarn rainbow colorway.  I believe I am getting used to the wet wool smell, lol.  Not sure what to knit next,.    Really need to be crocheting an afghan so I guess that's next......

My first county fair!!!  I have wanted to do this for some time and honestly didn't know where to begin.  Thanks to my friends at Crochetville and Nifty Needlers I was encouraged to give it a try.  I won 5 ribbons....one blue, three red, and one white.  Overall, very happy with my first fair experience.    The blue ribbon was for the my green felted purse, I loved the way it turned out.  I see more felting in my future, it was much fun!   One of the red ribbons was on the criseyede scarf I tested on ravelry.  I am amazed by this one, I guess I am growing with my knitting, a year ago I would not have tried that pattern.  I would have been to intimidated by the pattern.  Anyway here is a photo of all five projects (with ribbons attached)!!

Time for the county fair......  I decided to try something new.....felting, I used most of 1 skein of classic merino (green) and some of the $1 big lots yarn, they worked great together.   I had lots of fun with the project and love the results.  I have to do that again!!!!  My bag one a blue ribbon.  had a few other too,  pics later.   for now just a before and after of the felted bag.

moving right along on the bonfire wingspan.  Also started the flying diamonds shawl using magic glitz.  My mother in law really liked that yarn, so I am making the flying diamonds for her.

My first blocking done.  Wow I am pleasantly surprised with the results.  My scarf grew 11 inches during blocking, and has wonderful drape now.  The first pic is before blocking, the second is after blocking.

Lots of things on the needles and hooks today......  Just finished the scarf I was testing for a member on Ravelry.  Love the way it turned out.  Lots of new things with this scarf.  This will be my first attempt at blocking, first attempt a knitting a lace pattern.  First time testing a pattern on ravelry.  Hmmm,  I guess that means I am growing (at least a little)  as a knitter.  A year ago I would not have tried to tackle this type of pattern.  Thank you Nifty Needlers and Crochetville, I am much more willing to try seeing such lovely work from all of you.

Also on the needles today, trying out the pattern Wingspan with patons lace 'bonfire' . Love self striping long color repeats as well as the triangle wedges on the one.  Another new area for me, short rows, I have tried this a little in the past without much success, but it's such a cool pattern, I had to try again.  This one also has I cord in it, guess I will be back to youtube for help with that one, yet another first for me.

As if that is not enough, I have also signed up for a mystery shawl KAL on ravelry, still trying to find the right yarn for that one.  I really want to use the malabrigo stonechat, so I trying to find something to go with it.

On the hooks right now I have two things flying diamonds shawl (ice yarn magic glitz) need to have that one done next week so I guess it's time to get it together!!

Also on the hook 5-10 point star-burst round ripple for the family reunion, again need to get moving.....

Not enough hours in the day for all that need to be done, the fair deadline is fast approaching (Aug 2)  guess I will be stitching right down to the wire............