My Soldier

My sister turned me on to this great website "My Soldier" that hooks civilians up with soldiers as pen pals. I'm not in support of the war in Iraq, but I am in support of the soldiers. The website has a link to some neat care package themes as well as a "Starter Kit" that includes a list of items that you can and can't send. And since March is Women's History Month the organization is offering a special opportunity to participate in a program called "Her Story". This program, unlike the regular My Soldier pen pal program is "...tailored to those groups or individuals who want to send some support without making a continuing commitment."

My sister has adopted a soldier and I'm planning to adopt one as well. Maybe you should too? Hopefully the letters and packages we send will brighten someone's day. Because hey, the world needs a little brightening.

~ Christina

Feather & Fan Shawl

Last March (wow, a whole year has gone by) I posted about some of my purchases at Stitches West. One of them being a hank of Primero from Brooks Farm, which is 500 yards of two ply, sport weight, 100% Kid Mohair. Shortly after that post I started a Feather & Fan shawl from Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle using the Primero. The plan was to knit it to wear for my sister's wedding in Baja in May (I thought the feather and fan pattern kinda looked like waves and of course the blue yarn would add to that effect).

I started by knitting a swatch (crazy I know!) to see if I liked the pattern with the yarn and needles I was using. I then wet it and pinned it down to block it. I liked the way it turned out, so I made a few calculation based on the gauge I was getting to determine how many stitches I would need, and I cast on.

It was hard to see the pattern while I was knitting it as the stitches were bunched up on the needles. Plus lace just looks like a garbled mess until you block it. In any case I was making progress and diligently knit on it in the evenings in front of the TV. As the wedding date approached I was getting a bit nervous about finishing on time. I decided that I would bring the project with me and try and finish it as we vacationed in baja the week before the wedding. Unfortunately there were a few things my sister needed help with that week so I never got to finish the shawl. Fortunately the weather was beautiful and I didn't need the shawl.

Once I got home the shawl sat on the needles for a few of months before I picked it back up again. By that time I was pregnant and I wasn't in the mood to knit the first trimester of my pregnancy. However I finally finished it just before going on maternity leave. Now all I have left to do is block it (given I can find the time to do that in between Kyle's naps). I can't wait to see how it turned out!

~ Christina