This weekend I hit the beach for some much needed R&R. I drove out to Ocean City, spread out a towel and plopped my big butt in the sand. I had forgotten how beautiful the ocean is and how much sunburn can hurt. I now am vividly reminded of both.

SAVE FERRIS!!!

Late at night in my hotel room I worked on Coachella a bit, my fingers easily finding the rhythm in the stitches while I watched the last half of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I have always been a bit jealous of Mia Sara's ultra shiny hair, and ability to pull off knee high boots, and shorts with a long sleeved jacket. Just HOW does one make that look work? By not trying I suppose.

So now I'm home, back in the grind... but now I see why people take vacations. I may have only been one and a half days but it was one and a half days of being accountable to no one, for nothing. No time to be home, no one to answer to, no deadline, no phones ringing, just peace and the rhythm of the waves and the freedom of being able to make the decision of what to do next-or choosing not to make a decision at all! It was lovely.

Oh, since this IS a knitting blog...

I stopped by Salty Yarns. They are a needle point/cross stitch shop on the boardwalk at 8th st. They have a small amount of yarn (Berrocco mostly) but I have never seen so much stitchery. :) After a pleasant chat with the stores employee and winding some yarn I was off to see the sites.

Well, theres good news and bad news these days.

The bad news is that despite following the pattern Coachella is DEFINITELY too big for Dawn. Well... I fear no frog so its ready to be cast on again-but this time, in 2 sizes smaller. Sorry Dij. So much for getting it to you by Aug 1.

The good news is I needed something to take my mind off Coachella so I cast on for Kiri. I have not had much luck with lace, mostly I think because I am working with real laceweight yarn.

I mean micro tiny yarn. I love the effect, I love the weight of it, light as air.

Oh but its hard to work with.

Somehow I survived to line 29 of the pattern, using a lifeline after every 2 rows. Pics will be up tonight. :)

Oh, and for all the other 80's fans out there... I have been streaming this station at work for the last month and loving every minute of it. Okay, so for some reason they took my favorite 80's song, Electric Blue by Icehouse, off the playlist... but they still have Who's Johnny by El Debarge. (NUMBER 5 IS ALIVE!!!) So...that, in my eyes, is total redemption.

Heh. I wonder if anyone will get that reference. Yay for 80's pop culture .

I have about 10 1/2 inches of Coachella done and so far I am loving the simplicity of the pattern. I'm using stash yarn, and its machine washable so Dij won't have any special care instructions. :) I think she will really like it once its done.

Okay, so I tried knitting lace Friday night. How did that go? Well... not good. I never even made it through the first pattern repeat in any of the 5 times I tried. *sigh* Maybe the pattern was too complicated for a first time lace project.

I was a bit disheartened at no longer having the excuse to buy laceweight. I mean, how can I if I KNOW I will never use it? So I decided to cheer myself up by going by Springwater Fiber Workshop to find some inspiration for a new project. Who did I bump into but Mara! After crying on her shoulder a bit about my lace (or lack there of) woes she directed me to Kiri a pattern she thought might be a bit easier for a beginner to try. I left having not bought anything new, but with a renewed sense of hope that yes, I too can knit lace. Ha! Be warned tiny yarn and giant needles...I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!!!

I decided to wait until I receive my stash transfer before attempting lace again. I am encouraged by the fact that I am still excited about knitting lace despite my less than successful "practice sessions". So I cast on for Coachella for my friend Dawn in Ohio. Its a pretty "mindless" knit as I don't have to count continuously. Just row upon row of lovely stockinette.
I think it will be a great escape from the complexity of knitting lace. (or rather trying to)

Sunday was a blast as I met with Shari, another knitter from the group. She is a trip and over lunch, Borders, Michaels and 2 (yes two) trips to A.C. Moore, much laughter ensued. You wouldn't believe the things we learned to say in Italian!!!

Oh and I got the neatest bag from A. C. Moore-perfect for knitting. Pockets EVERYWHERE! Bought one in pink and one in black. May go back and get the yellow one tonight. Must. Be. Color. Coordinated.