Pumpkin Sunrise

Ah, the never ending scrap sock blanket that I wanted to be finished by spring.  Well, that didn't happen but you know what?  I'm okay with that.  I've placed this work in progress on the loveseat and I have to move it to sit down.  That will remind me to do a few rows! One day I will show a photo of this cardigan with the sleeves on needles.  For now I'm working on increasing the body of the sweater, after those decreases to give it a finished fit.  I'm working on this while I read a book (yes, at the same time!). My husband's cowl is about half way done.  The knitting is super simple and a nice project to pick up and put down.  Easy peasy. Last but not least, I cast on another surf shawl with my gradient skein kit that I received for Christmas.  I love this pattern and this time around I'm making the large size. Have you started a new project lately?  What are your spring knitting plans?

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

Ah, spring - you are sort of here and I like it.  After many many days of rain, Sunday morning yielded to endless blue skies and warm weather.  On our daily walk, I heard the spring peepers so it's officially spring. After my grumbling about getting my mac to communicate to my printer, I was successful on Sunday afternoon.  I don't know what I did specifically.  I deleted printer set up, redownloaded printer set up, I deleted the printer then searched for the printer. I turned the printer on and off.  Really I have no clue....  However, after my wireless connection miracle, I printed off some continuing education tests for me to fill out whenever I get to reading my continuing education packets. I finished the wash clothes, buried the threads and wrapped them up ready to go as gifts. I used cheerful yellow tissue paper and fun spring treat bags.  My task list was long and I diligently worked through nearly all of my weekend chores. Since the weather was pretty an

nearing the middle point of the body shaping Today is another rainy dreary day.  Oh for a bit of sunshine - that would be lovely!  The benefits of a rainy day numerous.  First of all, my bathrooms will be clean by lunchtime and I'll have the afternoon to knit and read and listen to some podcasts.  Today will be a good day and I'll have some sunshine in my heart. I'm on the last dish wash cloth!  Focusing on knitting these quick projects has thrilled me to no end.  I think I knit two a day?  Maybe.  So I'm a bit sad that I'm on the last one but it's time to focus on that sweater in the above photo.  I want to get back to squishy wool.  Cotton is not forgiving in the hands, at least for me. cluck cluck I've been steadily learning my computer and overall the amount of information to digest has been fine.  Whenever I hit a snag, I'm like a deer in headlights.  "oh no! What should I do?"  I have yet to figure out how to get this com

I am obsessively knitting these wash clothes .  As fast as I cast on, I'm casting off!  So you can guess that the other projects are suffering a bit from my attention.  I'm planning to give them as gifts and I'm knitting as many as I can before I'm tired of knitting them. Above is my husband's cowl on the left and my second pebble beach shawl on the right.  Both delightful and both have had some knitting time.  Of course the knitting time is limited due to the wash cloths.  I have my knitting priorities! Yesterday was a rainy dreary day and while the weather is warming up, the snow is nearly (nearly!) melted, I'm yearning to be outside.  Hopefully today is the day I'm back to walking.