WIP Wednesday - TWO New WIPs!!!

I can just see you shaking your collective heads right now and speculating on my sanity.  Be comforted in the fact that I am doing the same.  No, seriously...I started two new projects this week because one is a pretty quick and easy one and is part of a KAL and the other will take a long time so I wanted to get started as early as possible.  So there!  Rationalization abounds!

For all projects I gave detailed info about last week, I'm not going to repeat unless there's been a major change.  If you want to refer back, click here . 

Pattern:  Pine and Ivy Shawl
Yarn:  My Name Is Yarn
Colorway:  Moss 'N Berries
Purchased at:  My Name IsYarn
Needles:  #3 Lantern Moon Destiny 40" circs
Made For:  Me
Date Started:  3/30/2010, frogged and restarted 8/3/10
Progress:  10%
This project may well go down in history as the project for which there are no good needles.  I was still having some difficulty seeing the yarn against the silver needles, and the Addis just weren't quite as pointy as I would like.  So, I gritted my teeth and spent $27 on a lovely Lantern Moon Destiny circular needle.  I love the ebony/rosewood finish, and the yarn shows up wonderfully against it.  Points are nice and pointy, and the finish is not so smooth that stitches slip off easily.  However...the joins are anything but seamless, and I constantly have to manually move stitches over the "bump" in the join.  So, This project is going along well as far as the knitting is concerned, but I'm still searching for a needle that will make it less of a chore.  Any suggestions?????

Pattern:  Brattleboro Hat
Yarn:  Malabrigo Worsted
Colorway:  Stonechat
Purchased at:  Temptations
Needles:  #8
Made for:  Me
Date Started:  8/7/10
Progress:  10%
I do so love this pattern and, when the wild wonderful women of the Dublin Sip and Knit group decided to do a KAL, I jumped at the chance.  Love the yarn...like butter...

Pattern:  Cradle Me Blanket
Yarn:  Bernat Softee Baby
Colorway:  Fresh Green
Purchased at:  Bargain Yarns
Needles:  #6 and #7
Made for:  The grandbaby (due in late January)
Date Started:  8/9/10
Progress:  6 rows in
I was at Yarnmarket/Bargain Yarns on Saturday (more about that tomorrow), and I was trying to scout out a good DK/sport weight yarn for this beautiful pattern.  I fell in love with the fresh green shade and bought 3 skeins.  Six rows in, I'm not having any problems with this yarn, however, after reading the comments about it on Ravelry, I'm not sure I'll be continuing with it.  My requirements for baby knitting are simple - it has to hold up well, it has to be able to go through the washer and dryer without becoming a fuzzy mess, and I'm not willing to spend a ton of money on the yarn.  I suspect this project will be frogged, in fact, I'm sure it will be frogged as soon as I find a more suitable yarn.  Suggestions?????

Pattern:  Merope Shawl
Progress:  45%
I've finished section A and just started on section B. 

Pattern:  Seaweed Scarf
Progress:  40%
I got a lot done on this pattern Sunday evening while watching Pete's band.  I may revise my calculations on this pattern, as it looks like it may take fewer rows than I thought to get the right length.  If my progress bumps up dramatically next week, you'll know this is the case!

Pattern:  Ten Stitch Twist
Progress:  65%
There's been a big change in plans for this rug.  My husband asked if I would make a rug for the area at the bottom of the stairs (where Wilbur likes to hang out if there's a rug - right now, he's using the rug from Pete's room).  When I measured the existing rug, I realized it wasn't a whole lot bigger than my Ten Stitch, so I've reallocated this rug, reducing pattern rows as appropriate.  This rug doesn't need to be anywhere as big as the one for my room.  Oh, and I also bought another ball of Marble Chunky at Bargain Yarns, so I have plenty for the rug for my room, which will be next.

Pattern:  Christmas Tree Skirt
Progress:  80%
I really cooked on this puppy this week!  I think I have maybe three more wedges to go and I'll be finished!

Pattern:  Mystery Grey Thang
Progress:  70%
Almost done with this one.  Will get buttons Saturday.  I'm still rethinking the ones in Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend.

Pattern:  Evenstar Shawl
Progress:  40%
I'm so proud of myself!  I've been averaging two pattern repeats a week on this shawl, but this week I managed to get FOUR repeats done!  I am beginning to feel like I just might complete this shawl in my lifetime...or at least while I'm still young enough to enjoy it.

Thanks for all your great comments and encouragement on my Knit-O-Rama!  Having to report in here every week is making me a much more focused and productive knitter.  Now I just have to come up with something for FO Friday...hmmm...can I really finish something by then??????