Batty for Yarn

A Sunny Day

2009-11-08T12:01:00.002-05:00

I should be outside digging up the dahlias, but I'll get to those soon. It is a beautiful sunny day here so I thought I would use a little of the quiet time to get things up on the blog and off my camera. Today has been a good day. Bailey is doing ok. Not eating much, but moving around. The vet is not giving him very long, so we are in sort of a waiting period right now. Husband is having a very difficult time knowing that Bailey won't be around much longer. He's only 9, but he has made quite an impact on our lives.

Now onto knitting!!
Here's what I got at Rhinebeck so many weeks ago!!

I found a zuaberball, which I really want to try. Plus the Dorchester Farms had interesting yarn this year. I loved the skeins I bought 2 years ago. And some more Melody which I loved working with this summer. Seems I was on a little big of a purple kick at the festival!

Finished these socks for husband for Christmas. They are a little brighter orange with black flecks. It was a Knitpicks tweed yarn and just a plain 2x2 rib.

Also for Christmas is this little cardi for my Niece. Hopefully she likes it. It was super fast to knit and really easy. May have to make one for myself when I am back to my own size.

Now for some baby knits...

Finally got the zipper in the back of this hugs and kisses cable sweater. It is really adorable in person. The colors go really well together.

And lots of bibs..

I was trying out a bunch of different easy bib patterns. I liked the icord tie one. Just trying to use some of my cotton stash.

Currently I have a baby blanket on the needles, a pair of short shorts for husband and the Queen Anne's Lace crocheted scarf for my sister... I still have a few pictures to take of a few other things I finished over the last 2 weeks, so I will get those up soon. I am feeling good. I am 29 weeks and doing well. I am up to doctor's appointments every 2 weeks now, so that is one more thing to squeeze in there. We are house sitting for my in laws until the end of Nov., so we are living out of 2 houses. Can't wait til that's over and I am back in my own bed once again.

I am off to go dig a little then rest with my feet up! Have a wonderful week!

Time away

2009-11-05T16:52:00.002-05:00

Sorry I have been MIA for a couple of weeks. I do have lots of pictures to show off, but I just hadn't made the time to upload them into fliker. Too much happening on this end over the past couple of weeks... between happy events (baby showers and family get togthers) and not so good stuff (death of a classmates and dealing with our dogs illness) I am really spent. I have really wanted to get online and check in for weeks now.

I will try to get here again this weekend and show off a few goodies. For now, dinner and feet up.

Off to Rhinebeck

2009-10-17T07:36:00.002-04:00

Too excited to sleep this morning, so I was up early. Making a little breakfast and will hit the road in a little while. Should take about an hour and a half to two hours to get there. Looking forward to walking around and doing some more yarn shopping. Sadly, I didn't see Morehouse Farms on the list this year though.

I am sure I'll need a nap when I get home after the walking today. It is only supposed to be around 46 degrees, so I need to plan a good warm outfit today. I'll let you know what I buy when we return!

Lots of Little things

2009-10-11T14:54:00.002-04:00

I have been making lots of little things. They go quick and my brain doesn't feel so taxed with bigger projects with a lot of counting and complicated patterns. I do have this passes and I can get back to my "normal" knitting eventually.

I friend is expecting next month so I made her this little lacy hat...

and these mock cable matching socks. Haven't given them away yet, but I will before the end of the month.

I also whipped up this easy cable beret for Ellie for Christmas. It matches the cardi that is just awaiting a flower on the front. It doesn't look like a beret, but that is what the pattern was. It was nice and chunky yarn, so it went pretty quick.

And for my own little one, I made this blue sweater. It goes with the square hat from my last post. I am thinking it might be a good take home outfits, but who knows. I have a small pile of handknit pieces for my LBB (little baby boy). I hope to do several more, but I might want to wait and make different sizes for later too. There are so many patterns I want to try out.

This morning I made a small pumpkin hat from the Itty-Bitty book for a friend who was in town. Didn't get a chance for a pic since my Hubby took off with it before I could get the camera. I love a good fruit or veggie hat! What kid doesn't look adorable it them?!?!?

I have the day off tomorrow and a scheduled Drs appt. Just routine and I hope it goes quick. You just never know when you walk in their doors. Hubby and I hopefully will get a few things done around the house tomorrow too. Keep your fingers crossed that we get the crib moved from downstairs to the upstairs room!

Lots of pics to share

2009-10-01T17:27:00.002-04:00

The week sort of got away from me, oh and the week before that! Things have been buzzing around here both at school and home... I can't believe it is Oct. 1st today! Crazy! Fall weather is here and here to stay I'm afraid. Broke out the mittens and cashmere scarf this morning! Cold and damp... yucky!

I have been working hard trying to get a few little projects completed for my little one... so I have a few pics to show.

First up is a pinwheel blanket. It is made with soft yarn with color flecks in there. Not sure if you can really see the. I really like the yarn. There are some leftovers, so a sweater of hat or something might be around the corner too.

Cute little moc-a-socs too! I had some leftover sock yarn that I really liked, so I made these booties. A little big for newborn feet, but I loved the pattern so I had to make them!!

A little square hat with stars from the Itty-Bitty book. Thought it was a cute and quick one I could handle. I am working on a matching sweater in the blue. Maybe the "home from the hospital outfit"? We'll see I guess.

Lastly...

We had a local fiber fest last weekend. The first annual. It was awesome! It was about 20 minutes from my house and there were tons of vendors there from local farms, stores, and even VT places too since that isn't too far. It's not Rhinebeck, but there were several barns full of vendors. We got there early and no crowds! I loved it. Can't wait until next year! So I got some Jitterbug sock yarn, 2 skeins of hand dyed sock yarn, 5 skeins of kool-aid dyed yarn to make 2 baby hats, and one gently used sweater pattern that zips up the back! Not bad really Lots of good buys. Now I am ready for Rhinebeck!

Feels like fall

2009-09-19T11:23:00.002-04:00

Well it will be here on Tuesday, of course the news seems to think we are going to have a frost/freeze tonight. I have to remember to get out to the garden and pick a few things and pull others inside.

Thanks for all the fun congrats messages. I am a good secret keeper huh? Everyone at work was thrilled, but very surprised! What fun I had making people's jaws drop! I am still not really showing at 5 & 1/2 months, so people look at me and shake their heads. I am getting bigger, but not really noticeable to an outsider I guess. Soon enough I'm told!

Well as for knitting I felted the elf slippers for the 5 YO birthday party....

They were a big hit! Size was a little too big, but she can wear them with socks now and they will fit eventually. They looked really cute on her too!

I worked on a project for me as well.

My new primavera socks, wich I am wearing right now since it was a little chilly this am. They fit great. Pattern seemed to move right along.

I am just finishing up a pinwheel blanket for my little one to be. Should be finished this weekend. Not sure what I will work on next. Should probably start thinking about holiday gifts though! Have you all started any holiday gifts?

I've been keeping a secret....

2009-09-05T16:09:00.002-04:00

I figured Labor day weekend might be the perfect time to share....

If you didn't guess, well I am having a baby. I am 5 months along already, hence keeping things a secret... Explains why I was taking naps all summer and getting lots of rest. I am due the end of Jan and we found out this week it's a boy! We are really excited! I finally get a chance to knit boy things since I have 2 small nieces.

I am heading back to work on Tuesday for several months, then a little time away from the job and back at it again. This year will be crazy, but I think I am up for the new changes. I will have to slow down on all the books I have been reading this summer and get cracking on some baby items. Just cast on last night for the Pinwheel blanket, and I have also been working on a pair of socks for me. Since the mornings have been chilly around here, I have pulled out a number of wool socks already to wear!

Hope everyone has a fantastic Labor day weekend! Thanks for stopping in!

Progress

2009-08-31T12:57:00.002-04:00

There has been progress this week. I have sewn and finished the three things on the needles these past couple of weeks.

These are the felted pixie type slippers for Gracie's birthday. Right now they are both sewn up and waiting the felting process. I have to find some jeans that need to be washed to help us out. I have about 2 weeks to get these completely done and dried!

I also made a Bobbi bear. It is the big version, but I altered it to make a smaller bear. I made the torso too long, so he might need a sweater to something to distract the eyes for his long torso. Over all an interesting pattern. It is a cute bear!

And I made these Lorna's Laces Lacy Spring socks. It was part of a KAL. I didn't have a single skein of Lorna's so I dug out so leftovers. I thought I would have enough, but if you look closely the toes are finished in a blue. You hardly notice the toes in person. They are comfy and snug. I really liked how the cuff was made. I will use that again.

So you see, lots of progress. I am impressed that I was able to push forward and finish these before the end of August. I went to school today, but to sort through the mail. I stayed an hour, and still didn't get through it all. We get a lot of stuff in the library! A lot of paper to recycle! I will head back again later this week. I want to open the boxes with books. Then it'll feel like Christmas seeing all those books!

Now that the heat is gone

2009-08-24T11:12:00.002-04:00

I can get back to normal. I feel like I lost a week or two with the crazy heat wave we had. I just don't function very well. I lose all train of thought and motivation in heat and humidity. Luckily I think it is breaking. I finally did some laundry today and it is out on the line - hopefully the thunderstorms will hold off for a while yet.

Since I had stayed inside, I got a lot of reading done and some knitting on different projects.

This is the Hugs and kisses sweater I started a while back. I ran out of yarn and wasn't able to find any this week. I have something similar, but a smidge lighter that I may jsut use for the hood. I would like to finish it and get the zipper in before school starts.

We have also had a huge amount of family in this month, so we have been having get togethers galore! I realized that my niece turns 5 in a few weeks and I hadn't done anything yet! I scrambled to thinkk of something and finally cam up with felted slippers. I just have to make 2 more little pieces and sew them up, then felt. Should be cute!

I also cast on for a pair of summery lace socks for me. I pulled scrap yarn and have started on second short sock already. They are working up pretty quick.

Tomorrow is a day of errands with my mother. We will be driving everywhere to visit several differnet stores. Then I really should head into school to check mail and straighten up, but once I walk in the door there is no turning back! School will begin again very soon!

Sticky Weekend

2009-08-16T08:40:00.002-04:00

I guess we are finally getting our summer heat. I wish it had been in July, since I am not really a fan of 90 degree weather. I am hoping that it doesn't run into Sept. It is terrible starting school when it is hot and humid and 90 degrees. Maybe it'll pass after this week.

Despite the heat I worked on wool blankets. Sad I know!

Finished these last week. I had a bag full of odds and ends that my MIL had found at a garage sale about 5-6 years ago. I used a lot of it when she gave it to me for socks and other small charity projects for kids in Russia, but as I was cleaning the stash room, I found the end of the bag. There was enough for two pretty large blankets. So they have some fun shades and tweeds when you look close. I am happy that I used up the bag, but non of them had any wrappers so I don't know what they were or how much was there.

Had a nice birthday on Friday. Very quiet. I stayed home and read and enjoyed some solo time while hubby went to a bike ride. My sister's gift arrived form VA too. An ornament, earrings and a drawing from Ellie. Hubby was too good to me. I told him not to go overboard... he tends to overspend. He found a little speaker to plug into my Ipod and it is amazing sound! Now I don't have to use earbuds or lug around a huge player when I go outside to the deck! My second gift was a cell phone. I have been holding out not getting one. But hubby really wants me to have one just to be safe when I am traveling. I guess I am ready to have one. It may come in handy.

Today I was going to go shopping since I have a few gift cards to spend, but it is going to be in the 90's today and well, I grabbed several movies from the library yesterday and I am back to knitting... so why would I want to leave the house?

1st Christmas present done!

2009-08-09T14:15:00.002-04:00

Scary, but I only started them in April and it took me until the very end of July to complete them! Yikes.

Nothing special really, just Lionbrand yarn I found for a dollar at Job Lots. Hubby will loved these come the winter. He looks forward to new handmade socks. The crazier the better it seems.

Finished up two more blankets too:

In the bags they go to be donated later this month. Right now the two bags are in the kitchen ... but I may have to move them soon since they are getting fuller and fuller with goodies. Hopefully they keep lots of people, both big and little warm over the winter.

This week was busy, beside all the crocheting. Went to 3 workshops for professional development hours. We need 6 hours every year for school. I did them this summer so I didn't have to worry about them during the school year. I scrambled last year, so I thought I'd make it easy on myself and get them done now. Also had a family get together with cousins that were in town, so needless to say, not much at home got done. A load of laundry that was all I could fit in.

This week should go a little easier. Going back to moving things around the house, planning on picking blueberries, a doctor's appointment, and my birthday is Friday. Very low key week I hope!

More Blankets.

2009-08-03T10:35:00.002-04:00

I haven't been knitting much lately, just crocheting this past week or so. I have also pulled everything out of my craft room. I am serious about downsizing and using what I have. The room looks bare now, but it still isn't quite done. We got new bookshelves for the room from my FIL, so out with the flimsy old ones and in with the wood. I am also moving a sock yarn dresser from the room upstairs and replacing it with a smaller bookshelf. All the books from my upstairs office are moving downstairs. Needless to say I am glad it is summer, because this whole project is taking me all summer. Which is ok. I do a little a day so it isn't too overwhelming. A lot to work into the house, but it will look and feel so much better when the two rooms are done.

Since I don't really have much baby colors anymore in the stash, I decided to make several for the local nursing home. Here are the latest two...

Just a simple ripple to work up the leftover skeins. I have some green yarn that is going to go into a blanket next. I am slowly making a dent, but there is so much more. I actually used up a huge bin of yarn this summer already from all the blankets I have done. Which is great. But as I was cleaning this week I found more acrylic stashed away. So that is now in the mound to use.

Other than reading and crocheting, I have made several batches of pickles - both dill and bread & butter. Cukes seem to be the only thing coming out of the garden this year. Not much else is really growing well. Or at least ready to be harvested.

Still July..

2009-07-27T16:18:00.002-04:00

Thankfully It is still July and I still have all of August to play with before Sept and school roll around again. Not much happening this week. Just trying to clean and organize the house a bit while I have some extra time on my hands. I pulled apart the yarn room the other day. I think it is more of a mess now than before! Yikes...

Pulled out some baby yarn my sister had given me before she left. Doubled it with some white yarn and whipped this granny up yesterday. Plus I had been using fun fur to make some crazy recorder cases for the fall. I thought I had used it all up and then proceeded to open another tote and found about 12 more skeins! I am using it as fast as I can just to get it out of the house.

I have had my knitting needles going too. I finished the pieces for a zip up kids cardigan and they are blocking. Hopefully I can sew that up this week and find a zipper.

Plus I started this cute thing:

It has the x's and o's cable up the front of this zip up the back hooded sweater. The pattern was so adorable, I had to try it. I have the front and one side of the back done.

Had lunch with a friend today at a new Asian restaurant. Great food! Even after walking for another hour and a half, I am still full from lunch! And I have leftovers for tomorrow! Yum!

Crazy week

2009-07-19T09:18:00.002-04:00

I has been somewhat of a crazy week. We are finally get a little heat for summer. Those are the days I like to stick close to home since the heat and humidity seem to make my head hurt... not migraine hurt, but just uncomfortable hurt. So 3 days this week have been a little tough on my head. Good the last 2 days which is nice though.

Wednesday I met a friend for lunch and a little yarn shopping. I bought the Bobbi Bear knit pattern that I have been really wanting to try for a year or so. I pulled out some yarn and plan to cast on for it soon. Thursday I met another friend for a trip to the NYC Ballet matinee. We had a nice time, but it was really hot! Luckily the program ended just as a thunderstorm was heading our way. I pulled into the driveway just as the rain started. Friday I had errands to run and had to stop in and see my mother. She has been a little needy lately since my sister moved to Virginia. (I can't remember if I told you they had actually moved... They have been gone about 3 weeks now. I do miss having them right around the corner. I will miss Ellie growing up, but luckily there is pictures and easy enough traveling plans. They are heading back for a visit at the end of August, so that will be great!)

Yesterday I went with my SIL to her friend's new house to help out with the flowers. She is from Texas and wasn't sure what she really had growing in the yard, plus she wanted to thin some of the beds out. She has a beautiful piece of property and it was fun looking at all the lovely beds. I was given some bee balm and some pink yarrow to add to my own garden.

Today, I am staying home! Too much running around the past few days has exhausted me! Luckily it is summer and I can tap a nap or two! Even with all these things I have been working hard. Here's the proof...

Finished these two blankets. Have a couple of other things going too. Not to mention my pile of books that I have been working through. Finished "the last promise" by Richard Paul Evans and "The God of Animals" by Aryn Kyle this week.

Fourth of vacation

2009-07-14T15:29:00.002-04:00

I realized today that I am a fourth of the way through my summer vacation. I love vacations were I don't really have to leave the house. I do this most days unless errands need to be done. I actually left the house today. I went to the post office and dropped off all of my latest projects: 8 blankets and about 9 sweaters at one place and 24 preemie hats at another. Even with all of this project completion, there doesn't seem to be a dent in the crazy stash.

I took time out and make myself a project this week:

I really needed these too! Even on a 90 degree day, I have cold feet. These have some in very handy the past few mornings! They are double stranded and very cushy.

Also finished a couple of blankets that have been dropped off as of today. In person these stripes are much more subtle. Flash makes them stand out.

Just a granny square. I try and do different patterns so I don't get too bored just using the stash.

Have another blanket of two in the works with some baby colors. Plus I have been knitting on hubby's socks. I have one completed and I started the second this morning. I have plans to go to the Ballet on Thursday at the outdoor theater, so I wanted to take the socks to work on them during the performance. We'll see how much I get done.

Working hard...

2009-07-10T08:51:00.002-04:00

on my stash. I have three bags of sweaters and blankets to donate. I am hoping the place is open today so I can drop things off and move them out of my back room. I really need to clean up and organize a lot more in that room. It is overflowing with yarny goodness!

Here is the latest things to go in the bag...

A cute Patches blanket from an older crochet book I have on my shelves. I loved the look of it, but there were way too many ends to weave in. I hate to weave in ends. But over all it was really cute I think.

Can't really tell from this picture, but it is a little crocheted short sleeve jacket. If I had one more skein, then it would be a little different. Can you believe this yarn was in the stash? I borrowed 3 Candi Jensen books from the library and had fun making several sweaters. Crocheting goes much faster than knitting for me. I thought I could get through the stash faster if I crocheted a few things.

I finally remembered to get the socks I was working on for my hubby for Christmas out of the car. I had them there so I could work on them whenever, but since school stopped they have been idle, so I grabbed them yesterday and was able to turn the heel and start the gusset on the first sock. It feels funny knitting after all that crocheting. I am itching to start something for me. I think It will be a pair of slippers and then Nutkins Socks.

Using Stash

2009-07-03T12:43:00.002-04:00

That is my number one goal for this summer. Use up my stash. Or at least the acrylic part. I was gifted several tubs full last year and I decided it is high time I got to use them and donate the projects. Yesterday I pulled it all out of the closet and had a look. There is a lot! Some I will never use, but most can be worked into blankets, sweaters or hats. So that is my goal. I have two bags ready to donate next week. The fun part is trying out a whole bunch of different patterns. I borrowed a few Candi Jensen books from our library and found a couple of little things to make. Plus I pulled out some of my printed patterns over the years and worked on them too. If I am going to use stash, I might as well have fun.

This is a small carriage blanket done in the box stitch. I think it came out really cute. I would work this pattern again too.

Made this crocheted sweater from a booklet I had around. It is pretty cute in person. Yarn was from a swap, so it works.

Made a matching hat to go with it too. Still a tiny bit of yarn left, but not much!

This purple number was knit using a Bernat hooded sweater pattern - minus the hood. I didn't really like how it was constructed.

This is a Candi Jensen pattern. It was supper easy, but the sleeves a thin. I started with pink, but ran out, so now it is a pink and purple sweater. Weird but cute in person.

I have a few other things in pieces and no pictures until they are finished. I started an crocheted blanket last night -- seems to use up a lot of yarn! And I started making a few recorder cases for the start of school. Just have to sew together one other thing and you will have lots more pictures!

After several straight days of rain, I am happy the sun is out. I don't mind if it is a little cool, but sun is always good! We have two parties to go to tomorrow and Sunday. I was volunteered to bring dessert. So I am making a chocolate mousse pie and some double chocolate cookies. Luckily it isn't 90 degrees, or I might be buying something at the store!

Have a very Happy 4th of July!

Summer Vacation

2009-06-28T12:27:00.002-04:00

Lovely thoughts... I am officially on summer vacation. Last day for the kids was Wednesday and teachers went in on Thursday for a few contractual hours. SO Friday was my first day! I have been getting lots of little cleaning projects and cooking done around the house. I get up and read for a few hours every morning and knit or crochet away for several hours too. I have been out of the house doing an errands or two a day, plus walks with our dog and the husband. I think I am really going to enjoy this summer!

As you know I am really trying to use up the extra yarn I have in the house, so I have been working on a few crocheted blankets - they just go so much faster than knitting them... and some preemie hats and some sweaters too.

These little sweaters work up in no time at all.

I love a good ripple pattern, so I made one in the round with pinks and one in purples. Sadly I have not made much of a dent in my acrylic stash. I pulled out some more last night and have made some progress on a cute box stitch carriage blanket. I also have one other crocheted sweater somewhere and pieces of a knit one blocking. I'll show those off next time.

I just really wanted to up date and see what is happening with everyone else. I seem to lose track of time when I am at home these days and not get on the computer. I am looking forward to working on some socks, but I am on this donation kick for the moment, so I will get a few more things put aside to donate downtown once I can go during their business hours. Then maybe I'll get back to me... I haven't ripped out my cable socks yet, but I did put them away. I will most likely rip them out and use a different pattern.

Another visit

2009-06-19T16:44:00.002-04:00

I have been working on the spindle socks a bit and tried them on yesterday. They are very tight. I am thinking of frogging them. Maybe going with a toe up sock instead. I love the yarn, but the pattern from the start hasn't been my friend.

Instead of knitting I started on another crocheted blanket to donate. I quickly went through some red heart yarn and picked several skeins to use up. After this one I think I need to go back to knitting for a while. I bought these to help sway me:

I may not use the yarn right away, but I really want to try out these new needles! I have been drooling over them in the catalog and online for a while, so I couldn't help it.

Not much else happening around here. The garden is finally in. Perfect timing with a rain storm the next day. We spread things out a bit more to give them more room to grow. Can't wait to see those cukes coming in. I had to buy some at the market today because we have been wanting the 7 day refrigerator pickles. I made a ton last year, and I want to start again soon. Of course I forgot the vinegar at the market today, so I'll stop tomorrow and pick some up. mmmm pickles!

New month!

2009-06-14T11:14:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I surprise myself and can get online at home and multitask. These past few weeks, I just haven't done well with things. I have been a little overtired and have let many things fall by the wayside! Yikes. School is coming to a close. We just have this week and next, then I'll be on summer vacation. I am really looking forward to it. I really just want to be able to get up, have a cup of coffee and stay in my comfy clothes until late morning! Soon.

My garden is doing pretty well. I have been picking lots of asparagus, lettuce and strawberries. I even made a batch of strawberry scones this morning. They are so delicious! Soon I will be seeing some radishes and peas hopefully. I love picking straight from my own house instead of buying things at the store!

As for knitting I have completed a pair of slouchy socks:

I did intend these for me... but I think they will fit hubby a little better. I like the way the heels came out too. A little funky for striped yarn.

I also cast on for a second pair of socks for me:

These are the Spindle Socks. Well they started out that way, and then I modified the pattern to a better looking cable in my head. Of course there have been nights the past couple of weeks I just haven't felt like knitting, so I haven't.

Last week I picked up my crochet hook for the first time in a long while. I can do that in my sleep, so I have been working on preemie hats and some baby sweaters. I am really trying to use up the odds and ends I have around. I have a bunch of gifted yarn that I plan to make into blankets, but first I have to pull it out and look at what colors there are.

Thanks for stopping in to check on me. I have to take a few more pics and I will post again soon.

Happy Memorial Day!

2009-05-25T12:51:00.002-04:00

I am taking a break for the outdoors for a few moments. Had to have a little lunch so I thought I would jump here and update since I meant to get here yesterday. Spent the morning spreading seeds. I had a bunch for friends and ones that I have collected, so I thought, no sense in them sitting. If they were meant to grow, then they needed to be in the ground. Yesterday I picked up some veggie plants for the local place. Just have to roll out the weed block and then those will go in the ground. I love to see what grows from little little seedlings! We basically eat from the garden all summer. Head out there and pick something to grill or add to a salad. Yum!

Yeah! Finally a finished project!

My Olympian Socks are complete! Was able to finish them yesterday. Which made me very happy! Can't really see the Olympic rings on my socks, but believe me they are there!

I was also able to finish:

These are for a person at work who is getting married. We are having a little shower in a few weeks. Wanted to make sure I could finish them and have them ready. They came out pretty cute with stripes. Hope she likes them.

Nancy asked what pattern I was planning for my Panda Silk from the last post. Well to be truthful, I don't have a plan for the yarn. I bought it just because of the silk content. I did pull out a huge pile of patterns for my next sock (of course I have to finish the toe ups that I am working on first! No distractions please!) I have a few pattern in mind for the next sock, but no thoughts on yarn for this.... I would love to try Nutkin which would be perfect for the Melody yarn I bought a few months ago....Primavera too and there is always Kew. I can never decide. Any thoughts on what sock pattern I should cast on for next?

New Goodies

2009-05-21T18:13:00.002-04:00

I met a friend for a little yarn shopping a little while ago. She bought lots of yarn to make a beautiful shawl and I bought these goodies. That is Panda Silk! Yum! I had never seen it in person before. Plus I bought some Cascade sock yarn. Both choices are a little out of my normal color palette, but I really liked them!

I am working on the Olympian socks STILL! I hope to have them finished over the weekend. I am just finishing the second sock's gusset. Not much farther now. I am not sure what I will pick up next. Would like to work on the toe ups I have started, but I may work a few other quick projects before I go back to those. Not sure why, but I am not really thrilled by them.

This weekend I am planning to purchase my plants for the veggie garden. I would like to get them in with this long week. Hopefully I can get them in and have some rain to help them along. The patch is ready and so I am to get the veggies in. Hopefully things go as planned!

Have I completed ANYTHING this month?

2009-05-17T15:20:00.002-04:00

Sadly I am not sure I have. Things have been busy around here. Some good and some not so good. My sister got a new job and she and her family are quickly packing up and moving from NY to VA. A nine hour drive. I am a little disheartened that she is moving and my little niece will be so far away. We got the news last week and they will be moving before the end of June. Like I said very quick. It is a lot to process.

Home has been busy, I have been spending more time outside in the gardens getting them cleaned up and new things planted. That is good. Lots of things are popping up, no real flowers. I wanted to go out there today, but the wind is nuts! Sun is out, but I hate the wind. Good for my laundry today though!

I have been working on my Olympian socks. I now have one complete and really hope to be finished with these next week? Well at least before the end of May. They are my May socks, so I hope they get done! They look really skinny, but the fit snug which works for me.

I also started these a while back, but I don't know if they well work out well. I have to start the gusset, so I put them down. They may end up fitting my hubby - lucky him!

I did pick up my Feb Lady's sweater. I am finally on the lace pattern part. So it does take a little more concentration. I can't work on it at night. So I may put this away again for a summer project. It is already a little too big, but maybe I'll like it that way!

Posting before the next week is up!

2009-05-03T11:12:00.002-04:00

Wanted to try to post again before I missed another week or two. I can't believe I let that time fly away.

Finished my petal socks:

They are a Jeannie Townsend pattern - Petal in Happy Feet sock yarn. I do love this yarn. It is wonderful to work with and I love the colorway too. Colors are a little duller in person. What looks like blue on the screen is more grey, which I like They fit great too!

Finished up another baby sweater and hat set. This is for a friend due in August. I wanted to make sure I had hers done in case something else came up.

I went back to working on my Olympian socks that I cast on during the 2008 Olympics. Sadly I put these down because I wasn't excited about them, but ran across them the other day and thought I should really work on them. I actually have about 3 pairs of socks going now. I started a pair of toe ups last week and have to be in the right frame of mind to start the heel and I have a pair for hubby going too.

I even went and did several more rows on my Ladies Feb sweater too. I know it is going to be much larger than I need, but I do want to finish it.

Karen - made you muffin recipe again this morning, but I put in a 1/3 cup cocoa powder. I t is like biting into a Reese cup! I guess I should put these away for dessert!

NYC and back again

2009-04-28T12:54:00.003-04:00

We had a great time in the Big Apple ... was it really 2 weeks ago? Wacky! The show was amazing and the city was a lot of fun. The bus dropped up off right in from of the NY Public Library! It was very cool!

I have been knitting away too. Finished my petal socks, plus a small baby sweater and hat. I realize I have been spending too much time on the Internet looking for the best deals and I haven't been doing things I enjoy. I need a little balance.

Woke up with a headache/migraine today with the heat, big storm coming and stress I decided to take a half day from work and relax a bit. I am feeling much better now than this morning. Now I am going to sit and relax a bit. Yoga maybe? We'll see how my head if feeling after lunch!