Knittin' and Spinnin'

I get a bug every year. Some type of knitting project that I must do. Lace was it, then socks, back to lace, a bag fetish here and there. It is finally sweaters!!! I all of a sudden am obsessed with sweaters. That doesn't mean I don't do lace, or socks,or bags it just means I obssesively knit the objects of my desire. The others are not so obsessive;-)

I finally discovered Elsebeth Lavold. Everyone was mad about her two years ago and I was busy obsessing about something else-probably lace.

I'm busy knitting away on the back of Ylva fromViking Knits Two. I'm doing the shell in silky tweed. These pictures are from a day ot two ago so I now have the middle medallion done and am getting close to the armhole and cool braid along the armhole. I like the fact that her motif is on both the front and the back. It is more work and most people don't see the back but I love details. She is all about these little details.

After that I want to do Audrey from Sophisticated lady. I'm also going back to the Elizabeth Cardi from one of the Rowan Books. I have the back and one of the sides done so I only have to do the other side and the sleeves!

I also finished spinning the laceweight merino silk from Lisa S. This stuff is more yummy than silk alone!! I got 1210 yds out of 4 oz. I am very happy!This is a picture of unwashed yarn. It is even prettier now!

This is just a taste of my two weeks.

We are Baha'is and we went on a pilgrimage to Israel. Our Prophet Baha'u'llah was sent in exile to Akka to the famous prison there. They basically didn't like the fact that people loved Him. Isn't this the case for all of the prophets? We were able to visit the prison and say prayers in the actual room that He was imprisoned in. One of His sons died in that prison falling through a skylight. The hardship that He and His family endured is unbelievable and indescribable. Eventually they allowed house arrest.(He was obviously a person who didn't deserve prison so the authorities eventually came around and allowed house arrest) We were able to visit the various houses in and around Akka that He lived in. Then in Haifa on Mt. Carmel there are holy places for us as well. There is a forerunner to our Prophet and His Shrine as well as our Prophet's son who was His successor(although not considered a prophet in and of himself)are in Haifa on Mt. Carmel. The gardens surrounding the houses and shrines were the most beautiful places I've ever been. The feeling of calm and peace were palpable. Even surrounded with people you often felt as if you were the only one there. It was just amazing!

I will leave you with words from our Prophet, imprisoned for 24 years for preaching this- " So powerful is the light of unity that it can illumine the whole earth" -Baha'u'llah