Progress on shawl.

I like the way it's turning out. Light and lacy, that's how I like my shawls. I still have about 15cms. to crochet and I estimate it will take me at least 4-5 days before it will be ready to be washed and blocked, but then, what's the hurry?.

Made this swatch for a possible future project:


Pretty, don't you agree?

And since we all have to eat something.....


....this zucchini quiche is perfect for a light summer dinner.
I will write the recipe asap for you!
As far as the calender is concerned, well I had a nice surprise discovering that both the patterns I submitted have been published on the Pattern-a-day calenders, crochet and knit. Considering they are the first patterns I have ever submitted, well I am very pleased. It has done wonders for my self-confidence as a designer!

Rhetoric and calendars.

Are seasons really changing? There must be some truth in this statement, in my opinion, or we wouldn't have had temperatures ranging from 40° to 43° for over a week. Well above the average summer temperatures here in Italy. And on top of this , fires. If you have ever had the experience, you'll know what I'm talking about, looking outside and seeing fires. The other night we had four of them at the same time, and all of them not more than 2 km. away from our home. Enough to make your nerves wreck.

The day after firemen were still working.



It makes me feel sad and angry at the same time. Sad, when I think of how quickly all those olives trees and oaks became nothing but smoke and ashes, what mother nature created in years, centuries, all gone. And angry, very angry. I visualize someone lurking not far way after lighting that match, watching the firemen risk their lives to stop the hell he created. Watching and grinning. Oh, to wipe that grin off that ugly face!! How I wish I could.

Thank you.

I want to thank all the ladies from the forums for the nice comments about my latest FO. It feels so good to know that so many of you out there in the world appreciate my work. Let me tell you what it's like here in Italy. Most of the ladies I know have no interest whatsoever in yarn, needles, hooks. Those who know how to knit (or crochet) seem to have no time for it. If you want my honest opinion they are just too lazy.
Regardless of the reasons for which our favourite hobby is considered out of fashion and for "old ladies", well, I have no one to share my passion with and this makes your interest in my works even more precious to me.
Some of you have asked if I have written a pattern for my shawl. Shame on me, I haven't. The funny thing is that each time I come up with a new idea I get paper and pen and start writing. Then I simply forget to. When it comes to crochet patterns the situation is even more complicated as I am not very familiar with the terms and the abbreviations in english. This doesn't exclude I will give it a go especially because a friend from Crochetville has kindly offered to test my patterns. Thank you Nikki!
This past week hasn't been easy, with my little sister having carpal tunnel surgery last Wednesday and my dad having surgery last Thursday. Knowing that Patrizia is feeling much better and dad is slowly recovering has eased the tension and I have started another project:



I will call it "Simply diamonds shawl" and it's a rectangular one. The stitch is quite simple and it's onother of my mother stitches I have "inherited" from her.
I am using the same type of wool I used for the Pink summer shawl. It's a nice green and the colour you see in the photo has nothing to do with the actual shade. I count to take a more decent shot next time so stay tuned!

Pink and lacey summer shawl.

Here we go again. I can't stop making shawls. Is there a cure for this?