Indian Summer

I'm not sure if the weather we are seeing is technically an indian summer, but it was 90 degrees here yesterday (a new record). Just to hot to do anything except go to the local pond and relive summer!! So, after I picked the kids up, that is just what we did.
I briefly tried to knit on the Misty garden scarf which is nearly done:

But was quickly called into service as expert castle builder. I don't design 'em, I just build 'em! Here is Abby's fortress.

And PJ's.

We spent almost 2 hours. Then we took a quick hike to check on our letterbox that is planted here. Gathered a bunch of twigs, bark, and acorns which became boats (with a bunch of hot glue). All in all a wonderful day!

A Picture is Worth, well, At Least a Few Words

Here are the pictures of some recent work.

Here is the progress on T's vest. I'm just at the armhole of the front.

I also finished a Wavy scarf, from Knitty, in pink Cascade 220. I made it thinner (24 sts I think) but nice and long. About 1 skein I think. And I have an excuse for the way I look. I just got out of the swimming pool and it is 85 degrees outside!!

And last but not least, a felted bowl. The yarn is Lopi that I dyed in a swirly purple using blue and pink dyes (overdying). I used two strands together throughout on 10s. We picked out a few little things and are going to give it to A's teacher for an end of the year gift.

Back for a bit

Hi all! I am back from our Father's day trip to the Cape. It was nice, as always. We got the boat in and out without any major issues (phew!). We went out of the Cove and had a picnic in the boat near Nauset Beach. Then, we saw a seal! The kids were thrilled! Spent the rest of the time just relaxing and hanging around. I finished up the wazy scarf, got a bunch done on the vest (up to the armholes on the front), and made the pieces for two owls using the pattern designed by Crafty alien. Pictures will be up soon of all this stuff. If you haven't seen the little critters designed by crafty alien go search etsy RIGHT NOW! They are so darn cute. I got the owl pattern from a wonderful knitty member. If they turn out well, I will have to go back and buy some of the others (especially the cats). Well, off to the pool before the afternoon rainstorm begins. I'll get those pictures up tonight or tomorrow. We are back at the Cape come Wednesday after A's LAST day in Kindergarten. WAH! I don't want her ot go to school all day. All day school just stinks!!!!!!

Well, I found a daytime project and got though about half of it! We tried to beat the rain and go for a swim. After about 10 minutes the rain started pouring down. I gave the kids a snack and let them watch an episode of Franklin (which is a great show based on the books) while we waited for the rain to stop. So, I got 30 minutes of knitting!

What is the project you ask? The heart scarf from the special breast cancer issue of knitty. I'm knitting it is worsted weight on 8s, so it is thinner and a bit lacey (which is what I was going for). It will be about 48 inches long, maybe a bit more after it is blocked. Oh, the yarn (from a swap) is red Sugarloaf Valley Yarns which is a merino/microfiber blend. I think it will be beautiful after blocking.

Here are my answers to the latest MEME!

#1 Is it about the finished item or about the process of knitting? Some of both? Has your focus changed one direction or the other over time? Definitely both. I really enjoy the process but the product at the end is my motivation!

#2 How do you view mistakes? Do you think they give your project character? Is it important to have one, as my Aunt says, because only God is perfect? Or would you rip all the way back to row 5 of your husband's finished sweater knit on size 3 needles to eradicate a mistake no one else would notice? HaHa! I like mistakes and expect that no one but me sees mine. I will rip out obvious stuff of course. I like the story that Persian rugs have one error put there on purpose. Kinda gets it out of the way so you aren't so worried about making a mistake.

#3 Would you rather knit a project that is comfortable for your skill level, or do you prefer a challenge that requires you to figure out new things? Both! I like to alternate between a challenge and something simple. The simple ones are sort of like comfort food for knitters!!

#4 What is something you really want to make but haven't yet? What holds you back? Is it money, skill level, time, fear of the unknown or something else? Can't think of a type of project I haven't done but want to. There are MOST definitely yarns I would love to try but as a stay at home mom on a budget I just can't justify. But I deal with that by swapping or buying just a single ball of nice yarn for a small project.

Fun fun!!

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.

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!