Packing for a weekend getaway

Packing for the weekend getaway to a cabin in the woods is what I should be doing. Let me clarify. Packing in the traditional sense is what I should be doing. Instead, I haven't put one thing into a suitcase. I have, though, transferred all the knitting supplies and projects I might work on into a weekend knitting bag. At least I know what's important eh?

We are leaving tomorrow afternoon so I'll be up bright and early to get the traditional sense packing done. I'm planning on actually getting to go to the Friday knitgroup meeting tomorrow morning, so I need to get that done early.

Today, the first official day of my vacation, I finished up the back of Intoxicating. I've started on the sleeves and they are knitting up really quick. I may find that all the other projects I plan to bring on this getaway just sit in the bag and I fly through the sleeves of this one instead.



The sleeves are knit in a very easy lace pattern to memorize, and so far the shaping is intuitive.



I also spent a bit of time on the Bonsai Tunic. I can't say enough about how great this yarn is to knit with. Although the photo doesn't show it well, there is a hint of sparkle in this top from the rayon wrapped around the bamboo ribbon. I might have to get some more of this to keep in my stash for another project somewhere down the line.



Tomorrow starts the kickoff of Mystery Stole 3. I'm all set with my supplies, and hope I don't have trouble getting in to download the first clue. I'm hoping to work on it a bit while sitting in the woods. Hopefully I'll have a whole slew of new photos to post when I get back on Tuesday.

A Break From Knitting??

Can you believe that I actually took almost a full week's break from knitting? Me? The one who always has waaaaaay too many projects going at any given time!

See, I got a new toy last week, and from the time I got it until Saturday I didn't knit a stitch. My new toy? A Dell laptop!! As soon as I got it and got everything installed, I started up Guild Wars (the game Paul and I play) and that's all she wrote. I couldn't believe the huge difference in both graphics and performance. I was hopelessly addicted.

Well, as I said, Saturday I came to my senses and picked up the needles again. I finished off the Simply Lovely Lace Socks. Love Love Love them!


Pattern: Simply Lovely Lace Socks
Yarn: Cider Moon
Started: 5/19/2007
Finished: 6/23/2007

I also made quite a bit of progress on the Rock and Weave Socks. I love the colors in these. Thinking I might have to find some chili pepper buttons for the cuffs.



Progress was made on Intoxicating too. I don't think it will take too much longer to finish this sweater. Maybe another week. Maybe less, since this Thursday starts a well deserved vacation. Won't be going back to work until July 11, 2007.

Let there be socks!

I'm not quite sure what possessed me to cast on 4 pair of socks at once, but that's exactly what I did. Maybe to help me "see" where I stand on completing what I need to in June? Not sure how this will work out, but if it turns out well, I might just do this every month. Might be a good way to keep up in the 52 Pair Plunge.

Paul requested I make a pair of baby socks in boy colors for someone he knows who just had his first child. I knew just what yarn to use. There was a bit of the Haiku I used to make his Retro Rib socks with and that would be perfect for a little boy. I finished them up tonight.


Pattern: My own
Yarn: Haiku, Cider Moon
Started: 6/10/2007
Finished: 6/13/2007


1 Pair down, 3 to go! Next on the needles are some socks I've been promising to start for Paul for quite some time. I've had the yarn for months, but just hadn't cast on for them. Only a toe to show for now, but these will be the Cable Rib socks from Favorite Socks.



I've been wanting to make the Rock & Weave socks from BMFA ever since I bought the pattern. Finally decided to pull out some of that bright sock yarn I have been hording in the craft room and just make them. I love the way the linen stitch looks. I may try this stitch in a tighter gauge for a heel flap.



Just about finished with the first Simply Lovely Lace sock. I'm hoping to have the pair finished this weekend. The lace pattern is easy to memorize and in the sport weight yarn, knits up fairly quickly.

Oops I did it again .....

A few too many projects on the needles. At tonight's count, there were 9 of them. Oops!! Oh well, at least I won't get bored with any one project for awhile. The only problem is that I want to work on ALL of them!

I'm still going strong on Intoxicating. I love the drape this sweater has knit up in the bamboo yarn. I finished the front Sunday evening, and cast on for the back.



Only a couple rows done on the back so far, but I love the combination of the green and orange together.



Late last week, my Webs backorder arrived. I tried to resist it, I really did. Alas, last night I gave into temptation and cast on for the Bonsai Tunic from the Spring issue of Interweave Knits. This sweater is being knit in bamboo yarn too. Berroco Bonsai is a ribbon bamboo yarn wrapped in nylon. It has great drape and a really nice shine to it.



I've been knitting so many sweaters and socks lately, that I just had to knit on something else for awhile. I ran across a really nice lace skirt pattern on Elann about a month ago and purchased the Luna yarn for it. Not much progress on it yet and it's hard to see the lace pattern in this photo, but it's knitting up pretty quickly. Don't you just love easy to memorize lace patterns? Maybe after a few more repeats the pattern will show up better.



Tomorrow: sock progress (and there's plenty of it with 4 pair on the needles right now!)

My baby is all grown up

It's a day I've both anticipated and dreaded for many years. A day that sometimes I thought would never come. But, come it did. It is now come and gone.

My baby is all grown up. She has graduated from High School and is eagerly awaiting the start of her College education.

Doesn't she look beautiful?



And so proud as she accepts that diploma.



Part of my knitting goal this week was to finish the Turtleneck Tube Vest so that I could wear it to Jenn's graduation. I was up into the wee hours Friday night to accomplish this, and wound up too tired to go on only inches from the finishing. I frantically finished up those last inches yesterday morning and I love the result.



Adrian was sweet enough to offer to be the photographer so Paul could get into a shot with me.




Pattern: Turtleneck Tube Vest, Fitted Knits
Yarn: Porto Cervo In Jeans, Filatura Di Crosa
Started: 6/2/2007
Finished: 6/9/2007

I sure I will think about my daughter's graduation every time I wear this sweater.