So proud!

P had his preschool graduation today. Does he not look like he is 20!! Off to Kindergarten. WAH!

In the woods with my scarves

Sorry for the lapse in posting. We spent the weekend of Memorial Day in th annual camping trip. My family has been going each year forever, but this is the first time the kids had been. It was great fun!! I'll post pics when I get some.


I, of course, brought some campfire knitting. Scarves. Little yarn, easy to transport, brainless for spare moments.



I finished my first lace. Yarn is Debbie Bliss cashmerino baby in a beautiful red. The pattern is falling water. It knit up really easily. It is short, but fine for a little around the next accent with a nice black winter coat.

The second is from Atacama alpaca in a pretty pink/red colorwise (from a swap). It is made from 2 skeins and uses the same pattern I used for Mom's alpaca silk scarf in coral. It is skinnier and longer. Very pretty with the stitch.

Tagged!

I've been tagged (thanks Cass!).

Here are the rules:
The Rules: Each person tagged gives seven random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs seven facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and need to read your blog.


So, here goes nothing
1. I married my high school sweetheart. We started dating when I was a junior in high school and now have been married for 10 years (15 years total).

2. I got my PhD in Genetics at UNC-CH before deciding that I couldn't be both a scientist and a mom. I mean, I could, but I like to do things the best I can. I found I could either be a great scientist or a great mom. And, well, it is just no contest which is more important!

3. I love to read Bobbsey twins books. My kids have about 50 of them and we have been working through them. They beg me to read one more chapter and although I sometimes say no, I love them as much as they do!!

4. I feel most as ease near the water. No idea why, but being near the water soothes me.

5. My Wook and I are on a low carb/Atkins diet for almost a year now. Although I get a bit bored with the food sometimes (lack of variety being my laziness), I have lost 30lbs and weigh less now than before I had my kids.

6. I was always athletic growing up and am happy to be getting a chance to be so again. Now that my wee ones are older, they can ride bikes and jog with me. So exercise time is playtime!

7. Hmmm. I never thought I would have kids. But then I met my Wook and within a few months (yes I know I was in high school!) I knew that someday we would. My two monkeys are the best. They drive me batty, but are great fun. Too smart for their own good, but fun.

That was fun! Now, off to find people to tag!!!

Genes

Well, I finished my self -designed cropped cardi. It is made with less than two balls of yummy malabrigo in amber yellow. It still needs blocking, buttons, and I think I'll add some trim around the neckline. It fits just how I hoped (yippee!) and I love the color. Of course NOW the weather turns to 85 degrees, and I will be awaiting the first cool evening to don this!!

As for the cables, I teased earlier. They are the DNA double helix. Before I became a mom, I was a scientist. I have my Ph.D. in genetics, so this cable is very well suited for me. Like a secret joke between me and my sweater. Sick I know!!

So, here you go!

Lovely!!!

I bought this yarn and some others which I still need to photo. But this (Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK) is so soft I want to eat it. Well, you know what I mean. And it is just the same color as these azaleas which I stole a sprig of from the neighbors bush. Ah....springtime.

Butterflies and Beauty

Well, yesterday I decided that the 3 skeins of very yummy Malabrigo I got from a swap buddy on Knitty wants to be a cropped cardigan. It will have a cable running up front on each side of the button band. It is my own design, though the cable isn't. For now, you can see this...but I won't tell which cable it is until I'm all done!Here is hoping I don't run out of yarn before I finish!!! My sweet Wook is just glad I am no longer fondling this yarn. Ah, but he doesn't know that knitting with it is even better.

And to give you a moment of beauty, here is one of the painted lady butterflies we released the other day. A got a kit with 8 caterpillers for her birthday and all 8 made it to freedom. This pic is the best!

Socks and scarves and hats, oh MY!

We'll I've been busy, between A's birthday and mother's day. I knit two pairs of socks. One for my grandma which came out really pretty. I wil have to get a picture of them soon. The others were for A from some yarn I got through Good Yarn Karma. They are really cute. I put calbe "O" around the cuff of one and "X" around the other. She calls them her hugs and kisses socks!!

I also made myself this scarf from 3 balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky weight yarn that I got through a Knittyboard swap. I just LOVE the stitch pattern that I found. It looks like zig zags but was easy and fun. The color is more a coral than the pink it seems. I don't usually do coral, but this scarf might just have to stay with me!!

I've just cast on some red paton's merino to make the elizabeth town hat. It is based on the hat from this movie (a good one). I think 1 ball will be just enough to make it.

And to the few people who have asked, I promise to do a quick photo shoot later actually WEARING the two tanks!

Done! Now what!!

I don't know about other knitters, but there is a certain feeling after finishing a project. I just love it. There is a bit of nervous energy as the recipient tries it on (will it fit?). A bit of tension about how they will react (will it be loved?). And a sense of completion (thank god that is over!). But then there is the nagging voice that says, "Okay. NOW WHAT!!!!" And I look at all the projects I want to do and all the patterns I have printed, marked, or otherwise devised and am completely and utterly overwhelmed. So, normally after finishing a few longer projects as I have recently, I'll move on to a few quick and easy knits. Usually hats or mittens. Maybe a scarf or a stuffed toy. I find myself in this land again. Made harder by the fact that I have a bunch of very nice yarns, all ones I have never tried, that I got from swaps. Enough for some socks, maybe a scarf or two. But I am waiting for them to tell me what they want to be. So, the question of what to knit is on my mind. I better decide soon. Bedtime is only an hour away!! But, for now, I will be content to show you the finished works.

A's cabled sweater

Yarn: ON line Linie 44 - Ravenna, Angel Blue (from elann)
Pattern: The Yarn Girl's Guide to Older Kid Knits (got at the library, but MUST FIND)
Changes: I did the size 8-9 (so it will be sure to fit and be roomy next winter), but gave an extra inch in length (A's long torso) and sleeves (better to roll than risk it being short). Still needs blocking. I'll get a picture of it on after it is blocked.

My Keyhole Top

Yarn: Plymouth Yarns Bella Colour - Lavender and Lace (from discontinued yarn)

Pattern: Interweave Knits Spring 2007

Changes: I made it about 1 inch shorter, otherwise none! Still needs blocking, sewing in ends, and buttons!