Pumpkin Sunrise

I finally can reveal my secret knitting from last week.  I created three bunny dresses, one for me and two for my sister.  She picked the brown and and the blue one and I got to keep the purple one (yay!).  My sister was delighted to have some new clothes for her rabbit and I cannot wait to change out the brown sweater my rabbit is currently wearing to a spring-like purple one. I used up all the scraps I had in my stash of plymouth dk superwash merino .  I love the hand of this wool and the way it blocks.  So very soft, yet beautiful stitch definition. Since my stash is nearly gone of this wool, maybe I need to restock. Phew, unloading the secret knitting to all of you has made my burden a little lighter.  For now on, I'm going to knit transparently!

Did you have a nice weekend?  Mine was jammed full of family.  Oh and lots of evil (but delicious) food.  I was lucky to spend time with my sister and see the rest of my family.  The weather was perfection!  Suddenly it seems like winter is a mere memory and summer, yes summer is whispering. While visiting my sister I had the pleasure of hearing a northern mockingbird through out the night calling for a hot date.  I must say, he/she is quite persistent and caused a tiny bit of insomnia for everyone. I had fun being with family and eating delicious food.  My sister is a fantastic cook and baker.  I am ready though for a marathon of salads for lunch.  A tiny weekend of extra calories is not easy for me. The weekend is officially over and now I am tackling all the chores of returning home.  Unpacking, doing laundry, grocery shopping and trying to find the kitchen counters after a massive drop off of 'stuff'. me on the left and my sister on the right

I am almost ready for the weekend and celebrating Easter.  Almost.  As you might have guessed, I have a master list that I keep checking and making sure I don't forget something important.  So far, I think I am on top of being a thorough list crafting individual. Growing up, Easter was visiting both grandmas and eating two dinners.  I loved the deviled eggs, decorated hard boiled eggs, pickles (yes on the same plate as those eggs) and lots of potato salad.  Jello desserts were plentiful and you couldn't walk by the dining table without grabbing something to stick in your mouth whether you were hungry or not.  This was the only time my mother was not monitoring my candy intake and I took advantage of that leniency. Easter was potted bulbs as gifts and the car getting crazy dizzy from the perfumed aroma.  Hyacinths were the worst offenders.  We climbed into an orange Chevy Nova with cookie trays and flowers, wearing our Easter dresses.  My mom bought me a new dress and

I am thoroughly enjoying all of my projects on the needles when I do sit and knit.  This week is a busy one since we are approaching Easter.  I am nearly ready, I even finished the secret project knitting.  Hopefully I can share that soon.  I'm terrible at keeping secrets, so you must know how challenged I am right now.  Anyways- let's talk about knitting! I'm finished with the decreasing of the body of the sweater and now am working on the increasing before I get to the finished edge.  I'm contemplating on doing a simple rib edging instead of my icord edging that I've done on the two previous sweaters.  I guess I'm up for a different look. The cardigan is super squishy and soft.   Madeline Tosh Sock is a fabulous yarn! I did reach the lace edging of my dandelion field shawl (a.k.a. pebble beach shawl). This yarn is soft and has the slightest of haze, light and airy.  I'm anticipating finishing this project over the weekend.  Assuming I&

Borrowing from my gram's colorful language style, I need another knitting project like I need another hole in my head.  Just saying.  But you know what?  Starting any knitting project is FUN.  I spent this afternoon winding up these gradient mini skeins that I received as a Christmas gift from a knitting friend.  I am almost sure which pattern I am using but not quite ready to commit.  I'm leaning towards another surf shawl . The weather returned to spring like temps and we were out and about walking the neighborhood.  Suddenly there is so much to see and notice.  More greenery each day, probably from the rain we had all week long.  Right now the sun is shining - I love going outside and standing, breathing in the fresh air. My knitting friends came over today.  Many delicious treats were shared as we chatted about our lives.  We caught up on past events and talked about future events.  Oh yeah, and we knitted a bit too.   I love when the weekends ar

pebble beach shawl Are you the best version of yourself?  What would make you so?  These are the thinking thoughts I've been brewing over.  I guess because it's Lent and soon Holy Week, I become introspective.  I find myself during seasons reviewing my personal goals and creative pursuits. January first with new resolutions is an obvious goal setting time.  I'm motivated to stretch and grow and usually I wane in my intentions.  The best version of myself is not found during the first try.  Nothing is found during the first try (unless you are lucky!). my dear deer friends Spring is here, sort of and so I'm re evaluating my goals.  The goals are the same as always and I've added a few along the way.  However, anyone can list goals! super secret knitting and my cowl in the background How do I achieve the best version of myself?? - getting a good night's sleep -eating the right foods and exercising daily -carving out that precious time alon

Wednesday morning, already!  Today I have a doctor's appointment for my RA, it's just a six month touch base visit.  Overall, I'm good, there is that.  It's been a year since I had that whopping flare - I hope to never do that again.  The flare stopped me from knitting and made me sad.  Knitting is my salvation and sanity, so I am thankful every single time I'm sitting and knitting without pain or limited mobility.  My gratitude never wanes. These spring-like days have me looking more towards colorful wools in place of neutrals.  I haven't cast on anything new, but I dream about it often.  The left over various wool bits in the above photo are going to be little quick knitting projects that sadly will be secret until after Easter.  So you can use your imagination! I've been knitting like a demon on my pebble beach shawl , inching closer to the lace details.  I do love when I get into the groove of the pattern.  So refreshing, simple and restora