Saturday, September 15, 2007

Ta-DONE!

Finally. Icarus is done. Bet you didn't know I even still knit did you? I've actually been knitting a lot, but I didn't think it would be that interesting to blog about (or you to read) knitting all the repeats on the same shawl ("I added another half-inch to Icarus. It looks the same. Woo-freakin'-hoo"). So here it is, finally complete, both while blocking and while draped seductively over the guest room headboard.
I'm pretty pleased with it - it was my first real lace project. I love the long color transitions! This was done with 'Graceful' from The Yarn Place, on size 3 Addi lace needles.






So...on to the next project! I started this before I finished Icarus as I needed something to knit that didn't require bright light and relative quiet. Now that Icarus is done, I'm sure I'll pick up speed. Right now it looks like this:
This is the Shapely Tank by Joan McGowan Michael. The picture of the WIP doesn't do it justice - I'm using Rowan Damask which I really like so far. It's soft and smooth and has a nice sheen.
This is what it'll look like when it's done. It's from White Lies Designs - one of Joan McGowan-Michael's free patterns. She also has a 'Shapely Tee' which I like but I don't think I have enough yarn for the sleeves, so a tank it will be.

And this is what I made for dinner tonight - a super-quick and easy dish, great for summer.
Pasta & Arugula Salad
While cooking a pound of pasta on the stove (we use fusilli), in a large bowl put a 6 handfuls or so of arugula leaves. It's important the arugula start on the bottom of the bowl so the hot pasta will slightly wilt the leaves. When the pasta is cooked, drain and immediately pour over the greens, and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. Add a couple of cups of fresh cherry or grape tomatoes and a cup of pitted kalamata olives. Pour some olive oil (a couple of tbsp.) over this and toss. When everything is coated with the oil, add a tsp. of freshly crushed garlic and about 6 ounces of feta cheese, crumbled (if you don't care for feta, shredded parmesan is really good too). Toss again and add salt and pepper to taste. That's it!
Back to knitting. Have a good rest of the weekend!