City Shawl & Simple Knitted Bodice

Pattern: City Shawl by Glampyre's Stefanie Japel

Yarn: Romance by Rowan, color #98 Twilight

Comments: This is a perfect yarn for this project. Soft, warm, with a little "bling". What's not to love! I used size 17 32" circs. It took me 5 balls, but if I had to do it over I would have gone for a 6th.

This was made to give to my grandmother for her 9oth birthday.

Pattern: Simple Knitted Bodice by Stefanie Japel (again) for Stitch Diva

Yarn: Disco Lights by Tilli Tomas in Limeade Breeze, Pure & Simple by Tilli Tomas in Limeade Breeze

Comments: Pattern is well written. It is knit in the round, with minimal finishing work (which I love). I had to rip out the collar once due to the fact that it was floppy. By decreasing the number of picked up stitches on the second try, I no longer had that problem. I wish I would have bound off the bottom tighter as well. It is too loose.

I also had an entire ball of the Pure and Simple left over from the project. It is a pricey yarn, so that was disappointing.

My Favorite People Pictures from France

My beautiful mother Mary Ann by the sea




I ADORE this picture of Sheryl. This was taken in Collioure at a cafe. Doesn't she look so french and relaxed?

Kristeen Griffen-Grimes (aka The French Girl)

Miriam Tegels, The Worlds Fastest Knitter, giving us a demonstration. I really enjoyed visiting with her. Be looking for some of her knitting in our shop soon!

The group hanging out in Pezenas (L-R: me, Sheryl, Kay, Liz, Lisa, "Sucre" Claire, Kristeen)

The group having an outdoor lunch in Salleles D'Aude (front row L-R:Phil, Kristeen's husband, Kay, Arlene, Darlinda) (Back row L-R:Liz, Lisa, Annie Modesitt, me)

Cafe in Pezenas-me, Darlinda, Arlene, Liz, Kay

Favorite Scenic Pictures from France

The drive to the chateau. Grapevines surround the road.

La Vigneronne, the chateau where we stayed. Jealous??

Penzenas, the town closest to where we stayed. Lots of great shopping.

The canals in Salleles D'Aude

The seaside town of Collioure, near the Spanish border

Yarn shopping at the Phildar store in Montpellier

Next, favorite people pictures!

Back from France

from L to R - me, Sheryl, Kristeen (the French Girl), Mom

This picture was taken at an outdoor cafe in Penzenas France. We're back, tired, and in total love with France. More to come when my brain isn't jet-lagged.

Au Revoir!

We're off to France this morning. I'll regail y'all with our tales when we get back.