Into the pool

We are having a few days of very warm weather - in the 90s - and I was seriously considering jumping into Cowboy's pool after our walk last night. But he flip flops around so much, I'm not sure there would be room. Plus I'd come out covered in dog hair - not thanks in this weather!

As for other kins of pooling, I was checking out blogs of the many knitters participating in SOS 07 and came across Angeluna who is working on the same pattern as I am. She was commenting on how her yarn was pooling and I had just been contemplating that very same thing! Usually with STR yarn, the pooling is different than what I am experiencing with this pattern. It is pooling up vertically rather than out horizontally. I'm sure it's a result of the gauge and pattern - I'm doing stockinette on my sole and Angeluna is doing the pattern all around - but I did find it interesting. I am making slow progress but I do like the results. I think I may have to keep this pair!

All knitting, all weekend!

I did absolutely no stitching this weekend, not even on my beloved Stitchers Wallet. I was all about knitting and I have some results to show for it!

First off is my Summertime Tunic which I'm pleased to say is at almost 8 inches above the ribbing with only three more to go before I can start the front and back separation. I really like the fabric the Elann Callista is making. It's going to be dense enough that you can't see through it yet it is very light weight and I think will be comfortable to wear during the summer months. I can't wait to get it done! Sorry the photo is lousy but we've lost the light at this point.

And here is my SOS progress - 2 and a half repeats of the Solstice Slip pattern. I really like this pattern and am very pleased with my progress. I plan to focus on both pieces during this week and hopefully I will have a lot more progress to show you soon!

The weather here was heavenly and I went to the beach for the first time this summer. I took both projects and worked on them - it was divine. I tried a new beach not too far from my house and it was easy to find, get parking without having to walk too far and it was not at all crowded. It's at the end of a road so I think you have to know where it is to find it. Now that I do, I'm going to become a regular! Hope you had a great weekend.

HoHoHo, I have a toe!

This

has become this!

I had the day off from work today so I started it off with a cup of coffee and the completion of the toe for my first Solstice Slip sock. I am so in love with this color way - I know I rave on and on about Blue Moon but they are just genius!

I had a lovely day - the weather was awesome, I had lunch with a friend, went to the library, took a nap, watched two good movies while making some progress on my summer tank, and I plan to put in a third movie and wind some more of the yarn for my Summertime Tunic. I hope your Friday was as fabulous as mine!

Summer Solstice - Let the Sock Knitting Begin!

Today is the start date for the Summer of Socks and I'm so happy to be starting a pair of socks. I think I was having withdrawal symptoms! And just in time for today's start, this fabulous package arrived on my doorstep yesterday.

It's my third installment of the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Sock Club and it's so appropriate that I decided it would be my first pair of socks for the KAL. The pattern is called "the Solstice Slip" and the yarn is STR Lightweight in Firebird. It's a heavenly combo of orange, pink and red. I would it into a ball last night and cast on this morning before work.

The pattern can be worked toe up or cuff down and I decided to do toe up to practice my skills. This is going to be another great pattern for expanding my knitting skills! Hopefully I will have some decent progress to show you tomorrow.

Back from the deep end

Real life has taken quite the turn lately so my blogging has been very sporadic. I've been busy working on things but just haven't had the time to take photos and sit down and document my progress.

Here is my latest progress on my Stitcher's Wallet. I didn't get much time to work in it on Friday so I did a bit on Saturday morning. I had to frog a bit on the letter A so part of my time was spent ripping out and redoing. It's nice to be working with more colors than just the blahish browns from the first panel.

Most all of my time this week has been spent working on my Summer Tunic piece. I've spent quite a few hours at the hosptial with a close friend whose cancer has come back. He had not seen a doctor in over 2 years so the cancer has had a lot of time to grow and did. But the doctor has given him a 95% cure prognosis so I'm very hopeful this will be behind him by the end of the summer. He is out of the hospital and may even return to work this week. You can bet he will never again go without seeing a doctor on a regular basis. Many of us had been bugging him to go for about 6 months but for some reason (I think he knew) he just didn't make the appointment - he was too busy. Please encourage anyone in your life - especially men - not to put off seeing a physician at least once a year - even if they are healthy. Early diagnosis is the best treatment hope for any disease but most especially cancer.

I am three inches above the ribbing at this point and have 8 more inches of mindless stockinette work. My goal is to be done with this project by July 1 but I think it might take me a bit longer as Summer of Socks 2007 starts tomorrow and I'm really excited about my first project for this KAL. Stay tuned!

Stitchers Wallet Progress

I'm quite late in posting this progress pic -it's been quite the week. I've completed the first panel and made a start on the second. You may or may not notice but two of the motifs at the right are reversed. I realized after I had stitched about half of the third star motif (from the top down) that I had been looking at the wrong part of the chart. I started to rip it out and then decided to leave it be and just reverse the two bottom star motifs. I don't think it's too bad and it makes the piece uniquely me. This project continues to be a pleasure to work on and hard to put down!

Birdy Progress

I've been back at work most mornings this week on PS Autumn. I've completed the Owl block and have now moved on the the Crow next door!

Sort of Satisfying Sunday

It was quite cool here today - in the mid 50s with a rainy mist and very damp, chilly wind. I decided to go to Portland today as I didn't have the size 3 needles I will need to move to the next part of my Summertime Tunic and I was needing a sushi fix. I had never been to Central Yarn so that's where I went for the needles. Unfortunately, they didn't have any Addi Turbos which is what I'm currently using (my very favorite needles) so I had to buy bamboo. The shop had a great selection of buttons that I will definitely visit again if I ever get a cardigan knit.

It was Old Port Festival and that means lots of families and visitors crowding the streets of the Old Port where the sushi restaurant was. I had a deliteful lunch and then headed to the bead store to look for beads for my tunic. It turns out they had relocated (which I finally discovered, after quite the long walk, was just a block and a half from Central Yarn). I decided since I was in the area, I would track down where Seaport Yarn was located. It was a lot farther (I was walking all this time) than I thought and they are closed on Sundays but now at least I know where to find them!

Here is my progress on my summer tunic. I have about 2.5 inches knit so just two more before I start the ribbing at the waist which is why I need the #3 needles. I'm planning to go to the Maine Fiber Frolic next weekend and if I find the Addi Turbos, I'm going to get those to use instead of the bamboo.

It was also a UFO Sunday with my Friends in Stitches group so I picked up my PS Autumn Winds piece and worked a bit on that this morning. I think the designer is just a genious with color - and the designs use DMC. I think this is going to be really cute when it's done.

I'm off to give my Lotus Tank some attention as it's been neglected this weekend for the summertime tunic. Thanks for stopping by!

Stitchers Wallet SAL Progress

I never got to post a photo of my progress last week on the Stitchers Wallet - I only worked on this Friday evening so there wasn't a whole lot accomplished.

Last night I picked it up again and made some progress. The motif with the round "balls" is one square (two threads) lower than it should be but it was multiple threads so I just left it the way it was. This morning I put in a little more time and started the motif along the bottom. I may work on this a bit more this weekend as it's such a pleasure to work on. But it's also a UFO weekend so I may drag out my PS Autumn Winds and put some time into that. And then there's knitting!

I have very carefully reconstructed my Lotus Tank (IW Knits Summer 2006) - utilizing a lifeline - why I didn't think of using one in attempt 2 or 3 I'll never know - and here is my progress. I've moved beyond the row where I kept getting screwed up so that's a good thing. I hope to put some time into this sitting out on the porch today. I'm also planning to cast on for my Summer Tunic SAL as I got the right gauge after changing my needle size. Lots going on here so stay tuned!

Fabulous and Frustrating

That was my weekend. We had absolutely fabulous weather for Memorial Day - the best I can remember in a long time. Usually it tends to be cold and rainy. We did have rain overnight on Sunday but Monday was pretty clear and warm. I got my "window" boxes planted on my porch and mulched. I need a little more mulch but that can wait until next weekend. That was the fabulous part of my weekend.

This is the frustrating part. My third - yes THIRD - cast on for the IW Lotus Tank from last year's summer issue. 230 stitches in a lace pattern that I found out after I'd switched to smaller needles (after 9 rows!) was knitted twisted. UGHHHHHH. I am just heart sick. This pattern is kicking my hiney. I was hoping the "third time is a charm" would work for this project but unfortunately - it didn't. I'm not going to give up though. I might try my Denise needles and use a longer cable than the 24" called for so that I can lay out the stitches better to make sure they don't twist - I swear I checked so carefully.

This morning I cast on for my Summer Tunic KAL swatch. I really like the yarn and the fabric it is creating. I don't know what they treated the yarn with but it smells like fress cut grass! LOL Perfect for a summer top right?

TGFLW

TGFLW stands for Thank Goodness for Long Weekends! It's the unofficial start of summer here in Maine and we kicked it off with 90+ degree weather~heavenly! The pup got his own pool and has already been swimming twice and I got a lovely package full of this:

This is Elann Callista in the Tarragon colorway and I bought it for the Summer Tunic KAL. I'm planning to start my gauge swatch tomorrow so I can be all set for the June 1st kick off date. I also received these in the box with my Callista...

I just couldn't resist the lure of this cotton yarn and the price was great. The color on the left is Burnt Tangerine and the color on the right is Oasis. I bought 10 balls of each color. I'm sure I can find some kind of summer tank or sweater that this yarn will work for!

This was my first time ordering yarn from Elann and I have to say it won't be my last. I got my order from Washington state in two days!

On a stitching note, here is a picture of my morning project. I've been able to put in a few stitches before work each day this week and I'm pretty pleased with my progress.

Tonight is my SAL with Joanie and Sue on the Stitcher's Wallet. I made some progress on it this morning and after work but I will show you that tomorrow in case I pick it up again. I hope your Memorial Day weekend is off to a most excellent start! I will take a picture of Cowboy in his pool tomorrow!

Thoughts of Summer Knitting

Over the weekend I was able to pick up the summer issues of Interweave Knits and Knit.1 - and I didn't even have to leave town! I have already read the Knit.1 issue cover to cover. It's their green issue and I have to say it's a really excellent issue. There were lots of interesting articles on alternative fibers (not just wool!) and some great projects. I haven't gone through the Interweave issue as closely but I think I will end up making the Summertime Tunic.

It's also time for another Summer of Socks and I'm really excited to be participating this year. First off I have tons of wonderful sock yarn I've been wanting to work with and I feel much more confident in my sock knitting skills compared to last year. The KAL doesn't start until June 21st (THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!!) but I plan to sit down this weekend and choose the patterns and yarns I plan to work with. I know I want to make a pair of Jaywalkers and several Knitty patterns I've printed off plus I have the great pattern I got from my Sock Kit pal last year that's been ready to go forever. I can't wait for the start date!

SAL Progress

I forgot to take a photo of the fabric I used for my CHS pillow. It was a fat quarter I bought a while back because I really liked the colors and when I found it in my fabric drawer I knew it would be perfect. It has the same reds and golds and a bit of a metallic sheen to it.

Here is a photo of my Friday night progress on the Stitchers Wallet. Because I decided to put together my CHS piece, this one didn't get quite as much attention but I did manage to finish the dark brown motif in the center. I look forward to getting back to work on this next Friday!

Dainty Housewren Pillow

On Friday evening I sewed and stuffed my CHS Dainty Housewren piece into the pillow form and last night I sat and completed the beading. The picture is not great because we have no sunlight to speak of. I will try to remember to take a picture when it's finally sunny - if it ever comes back. I'm really happy with how this turned out and pleased that I've completed the project all the way through.

TGIF!

As you may guess from my lack of posts since Monday, this has been quite the tough week. I had something going in the evening after work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and tomorrow I will be volunteering at an all day event at my job. So not a whole lot of stitching on but I did make some progress on a UFO that I will show you soon. Today is the Stitcher's Wallet SAL so I hope to get some work in on that this evening.

I completely forgot to share photos of a wonderful package I recently received as part of a color exchange. My color choice this round was red - in any shade. I got a wonderful package from Gaby who stitched me the most gorgeous heart. Her blog has much better pictures but here are photos of the goodness that was inside! Two wonderful pieces of linen banding, two pieces of linen and a Crescent Colors thread called Ruby Slippers and other wonderful goodies.

Finally Finished!

Yesterday I sat down and focused on finishing my CHS Dainty Housewren. I put the beads on last night and now she is ready to sew up as soon as I choose a backing fabric. Wooohoo! This is my first finish from my 25 projects challenge. One down and only 24 more to go! LOL I was so excited about completing something, I picked out another project from the list to start - BOAF's Spring Garden. I need two WDW threads so I ordered those from ABC Stitch and in the meantime I've picked up PS Autumn Winds and started working on that. Can you tell I'm a little psyched to have something completed?

Spring Serenade

We are having a glorious spring weather weekend and everywhere Cowboy and I walked yesterday, we could hear the sound of lawnmowers and smell fresh cut grass. We had quite a warm week with temperatures in the 80s but now it's dropped back to a more springlike temperature of mid 60s. I hope you are enjoying a lovely Mother's Day whereever you are.


I've got three project updates to show so it was quite the productive stitching weeken for me. The first is my completed H is for Horse from my CHS Alphabet piece. I have decided I'm going to keep this out and rotate it with CHS Dainty Housewren and my Stitcher's Wallet.


Thursday night I worked on my CHS Dainty Housewren as well as giving her some attention last night. She is really quite close to being completed and I think I will look in my fabric stash to see if I have a suitable backing fabric to finish this piece off. I have really enjoyed working on this but I will be glad when it's completed so that I may start something new!




And last but definitely not least is my progress on my Stitcher's Wallet. I completed the flowering vine motif down the right side and the crown and started working on the darker brown area under my initials. This project continues to be a joy to work on!


To all you mothers out there, I hope you are treated like queens today - you deserve it!

2nd Blue Moon Sock Club Kit

This arrived the week before last and I forgot to post about it. It's the second installment in my Blue Moon Sock of the Month. It's a really cool new product from them - Silkie Socks That Rock which is 89% superwash merino and 19% silk! This yarn is so incredibly soft and silky so it's very appropriately named. The colorway is called Walking on the Wild Tide. The pattern that came with the yarn is called Grasshopper and I am really looking forward to working with both the pattern and the yarn. I am thinking I will make these for a Christmas gift.

I also gave in and bought some more STR - gotta keep that addiction going!

Well, it's TGIF and that means I am allowed to stitch on my Stitcher's Wallet so I'm off to do just that. I had a nice bit of stitching progress on two other UFOs so I will share that with you when I show my SAL progress tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend!

Stitcher's Wallet Progress

First off, I forgot to put a picture of Jo and I stitching in the stitchers lounge at Celebrations so here it is - thanks Pete for taking the photo! Jo looks her usual wonderful self and I'm not sure what I was thinking - I look like a dork! LOL

The piece in my hand was my Stitchers Wallet from The Gift of Stitching. I worked on it all weekend and had to finally zip it into its project bag on Monday and put it away because I didn't want to stop working on it. I am really loving how this is turning out. I will not bring it out again until Friday so I don't get too far ahead of the other ladies stitching along on this. Nancy, did you subscriber yet? I'm glad to see you posted - now you need to get a blog!!!

Celebrations Report

So I went to NH for the weekend and got back yesterday to discover that my computer monitor had finally died. I had to go buy a new one in order to be able to see to upload photos and check email. As a result of all that rigamarole, I'm a bit late in posting my Celebrations report!



I only went for Friday and got to see Carole, Jo, Nancy, and Sandy and her friend Lisa and meet a friend of Nancy's named Tinka. I had a really nice day and managed to leave at the end of the day without spending too much in the shopping mart. I also got to see Joyce and another knitting friend Lucille who I haven't seen since I moved - 2 years! Nancy and I arranged to meet at the entrance to the shopping mart at 9am on Friday and ended up pulling into the parking lot behind each other. We spent about 1.5 to 2 hours looking around and I managed to only come out with 5 pieces of 28 ct 9x13 fabric from the Picture this Plus booth. I started out picking out my usual samplery colored pieces but decided that what I really needed was some colors I wouldn't usually buy and so I ended up with these. The colors are from the top left, Kermit, Coastal, Flash(2nd row down on left), Ember and Splash. I thought it would be really cool to stitch a quaker or some thing similar in a contrasting fabric - a sort of modern quaker piece. We shall see on that.


Nancy and I had lunch at Applebees and then went back to stitch. She was meeting Tinka at 1:00 for another run through the shopping mart and I was meeting Jo after her class at 2:00. Jo and I ended up in the stitching lounge all by ourselves for quite a while. Nancy and Tinka finally managed to drag themselves away from the shopping mart so we stitched a bit and then went to an early dinner at Outback with Pete, Jo's husband. I made quite a lot of progress on my Stitcher's Wallet SAL. A really nice day all around! It was great to see good stitching friends again! I just wish Joanie and Sue had managed to join us as well. Maybe next year ladies right?