Had to get 2 more skeins of yarn so I could actually finish the thing. I’m also hoping to finish the center medallion before my beads get here so I can just add the beads and move along. :D

11/20/10: Yarn shipped from TLE on Thursday or Friday. Received the email that the beads shipped from Earthfaire today, so I’m hoping I’ll get the center medallion done before the beads arrive, provided I don’t run out of yarn first. Not sure how far one skein is supposed to go, but it looks promising. I’m at the awkward stage on my needle where it’s too short to magic loop, but it’s slightly too long to make knitting in the round comfortable, but I don’t have any size 4 DPNs, and I“m not moving it to a 60” cable (the only one I have available) so I can magic loop it for a couple more rounds. LOL

Beads:
1 - Metallic Gold Iris 8/0 (smaller tube)
2 - Metallic Dark Blue Iris 8/0
1 - Dragonfly - a Higher-Metallic 8/0 (smaller tube)
1 - Silver Lined Dark Smoky Amethyst AB 8/0

11/22/10: Beads and teh rest of the yarn arrived today. I think the Metallic Dark Blue Iris beads are too matchy-matchy. Of course, those are the ones I bought the most of. I have some more of the silver-lined amethyst that I’m using on another project, so I think I might take the beads from that, since I’m not knitting it right now. I“ll still use some of the Metallic Dark Blue, but they won’t be the “main” beads I use. I think I have some silver-lined clear/crystal beads as well to mix in. Started Row 9 of Madeira pattern.

1/31/11: Picked up and knit with a vengeance on the beaded rows this weekend, but they really take a long time.

I modified it by doing k2tog, yo instead of yo, k2tog because I didn’t like the yo on top of a yo after the last increase row, but I forgot to make note of that. So, I have a row or two where the pattern is off, because when I picked it up again, I started doing yo, k2tog. I decided that I was NOT ripping back, so it’s just going to have to be a design feature. LOL Made it through row 115 as of yesterday, so I’m starting on the next needle size up. I know I was worried about the beads being a little too good of a match, but even the dark blue ones add a nice sparkle thanks to the metallic coating.

8/4/11: Completed through Row 140. 3 more rows on 10’s, then the last section on 10.5’s before increasing & binding off!!! So close, yet so far!

8/9/11: I AM 1 ROW AWAY FROM INCREASE ROW + BIND OFF! SO EXCITED!! The bind off will probably take me a week, but I am ALMOST THERE! :D *squee!*

8/10/11: Started binding off 8/9/11. I’m about halfway through it as of noon on 8/10/11. Hoping to get it done tonight, but I love it so far!! :D

*FINISHED!!!* with about 1 yard of yarn leftover. lol. OMG.

8/19/11: I didn’t get to block it this week! My next plan is to block it while the boy is out of the country for work, but that will be a few more weeks. Hoping to have it blocked by the end of September. :D