Done!

The Amherst is finished and blocked. I had to do the crochet edge around the neck multiple times until I was pleased--went down to a 4mm crochet hook and worked the single crochet firmly. At first I tried to pick up and knit stitches and then bind off, but didn't like that either. The buttons I bought weren't doing it for me sooo I dug into the antique button stash and found two large buttons that look wonderful! Too bad it's going to be HOT the next couple of days. Anyway, I got another project done and that's good! Yea for me!
The card in the camera was full. I couldn't get another shot--this one will have to do for now.

Guten Morgen!

Today is our run-around day. Preparing for the big adventure! The weather looks pretty good in Berlin. It's been warm this week, but it looks as though we'll get a cool down before we arrive. Two years ago it was very warm.
I have one sleeve done on the Amherst, and the second one is cast on the needles, so I should be able to finish today (if I pay attention and don't have to frog because I increased or decreased in the wrong places--already did that!). Love this pattern! It's been right on the money with stitch counts, etc. Thank you Dolce handknits! I will keep recommending this to my students. It's going to be nice worked up in the cotton. The alpaca in the designer's photo is pretty, but looks too bulky. I used the yarn as is, meaning I didn't use two skeins at once. The pooling is purely random and actually looks more subtle than the photos. I called the airport and got the lowdown on needles. Short ones and I can take circulars (short) on Iceland Air. I figured it was okay (I took needles two years ago, but you never know!).
Here's a little tidbit to creep you out...three nights ago, Jim woke me at 2:30 am and handed me a flashlight, "I think we have a bat in the bedroom." "Whaa...?" "Shine the light over here. (One of the windows.) Now, pull up the shade." "Oh man, he's on the inside! (as I slowly raise the blind (shudder)." Jim has a towel and is poised for the capture of the ratwithwings...he got it and took it outside (the shortened version)...we are settled back in bed. I'm looking at the ceiling..."You're fixing the hole by the ceiling fan." "I think it got in through the garage when I was going in and out." "Did you take it in the front or back?" "Front." "Is it alive or dead?" "Alive." I'm still staring at the ceiling. Jim asks, "What's wrong?" "I'm having an eeewww moment." Jim's my hero. I'm glad the beastie is alive, eating the mosquitoes, and NOT in our bedroom.

Twinkle, twinkle, little bat! How I wonder what you're at! Up above the world you fly, like a tea-tray in the sky. Mad Hatter

Knit one, frog two

I'm happily knitting away on the Amherst on Saturday, and I just about had one of the sleeves done when I decided it might be a good idea to count the stitches. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the forest and was off count. Knitting under the canopy of green was worth it. Jim was off working on the geo-cashes for the scouts and I hung around one of the buildings drinking up the color GREEN! Not to worry, I had the other sleeve cast on, so I just worked on that last night and I'm catching up quickly. This jacket should be done easily by Saturday. At least that's the plan for now.

Changing colors

As you can see I got a lot of knitting done at the Senior All Night Party! It was fun to watch all the kids having fun with the activities. They had the whole facility and plenty to keep them busy all night. The school had the ceremony inside because of the weather, but it worked out--we got seats right by Ben. We got to see all the graduates walk by.
Back to the sweater (Amherst, by Dolce Handknits) made with Plymouth Fantasy cotton , color #9995. It's going very quickly and the pattern is well-written (easy to follow). I'll have to exchange the brown buttons for some smaller ones. As big as the buttonholes are, they aren't big enough for those! Later today I'll start the left side. It would be fun to wear it on Sunday. Mmm...don't know about that. I'm fast, but maybe not that fast. The color pooling is more subtle than in the photo, so I'm not going to worry about it!
Ben and I have some Euros for the trip and we got our passports ready and some travel-sized sundries. Time to start planning the wardrobe, etc. (it's more about planning for the weather). My inner clock is discombobulated and now I need a nap. It's like having jet lag. Too bad the party wasn't closer to the trip! The first stop--Berlin.