Taking a walk

We've been pretty lucky the past week because the weather's been very pleasant.  The grass is so green, and the sky is very blue.  I decided to take a walk on the clouds the other day.  When I was a little girl, my sister and I used to walk on the clouds.  I was out on the deck enjoying the nice day.  I spread out a blanket, took my shoes off (so I could feel the softness) and stood on a puffy, white cloud for a few moments (I made my socks on my last trip to Germany--a good way to admire my work).  Ahhh, it was wonderful--so soft and fluffy!  The breeze was light, so the little cloud passed by slowly.  I highly recommend this form of exercise, as it's quite good for lifting one's mood.  I miss my sister very much, and I'm sure she was peeking over a cloud watching me.  She probably wanted to tickle my feet!

If it doesn't move, paint it or launder it!

This time last week we were getting ready to go pick up Ben. We had a nice trip and managed to get everything packed in the car including ourselves! I worked on socks during the drive. I don't know why I always start them because they aren't my favorite projects, but the portability is nice. I just suffer from SSS (second sock syndrome).Ben was a tad under the weather on the way home, so he did quite a bit of sleeping for a couple of days. I decided to tackle my porch furniture. I love to junk furniture into something nice. Creamy white paint did the trick! The trunk doubles as storage for games and a TV stand. The owners of our house were going to trash it, but I saw some use and kept it. It was black and had some slight water stains on the bottom. The coffee table was an $8 bargain at Goodwill. I'm always dropping things off there and just happened to go inside. It's a nice sturdy piece that needed a a sprucing up. The little corner drawer piece came from my father-in-law's garage. He worked for the railroad and that's where it originally came from. Some fellow made it out of leftover wood and some of the little drawers are made out of cheese and cigar boxes. When Poppa passed away, Mom was cleaning things out and I thought it had some potential. Poppa kept bits and pieces of nuts, bolts, nails, etc. in it and it took some time to clean it up. I decided to leave the drawers as they were and only paint the outer part. I think it works just fine. The telephone table came from a garage sale. I have to upholster the seat, and that will be perfect. I like it because the table is to the left (I'm left-handed). I'd like to eventually embellish them a little a la Peter Hunt. When we first moved in, I used the porch quite a bit. It's very nice to open all the windows and work out there.
Anyway, the weather for Memorial Day weekend. Ben joined us for a bike ride on Saturday morning. It was really nice out and everybody was enjoying the sunshine and nice temps. I made it through all the laundry and now I can get some knitting projects finished up. My favorite spot is a bit of a disaster--too many projects going on...three socks and the Bowknot Sweater sleeves.

SSS

20.04.09 As I'm getting ready for work, I have to organize my knitting for the day. I have three socks going--cotton, yoga, and Harry Potter (Lupin colorway)--and I've got SSS (second sock syndrome). I'm on the gusset of the cotton socks and was going great guns until I realized I'd rather have them fit snugly around my leg and foot. I have skinny ankles and heels. Better to fix now...The yoga socks fit great in the leg, but the instep is too loose for my skinny foot, dang! The other pair with the HP sock yarn is just on the ribbing, so I'm not too concerned with them right now. This is why I don't do socks (except for Baba's Bed Socks) often.

I'm taking a break from the Kilimanjaro. I'm ready to go through my handspun cotton and do something summery. I have to check yardage. I got some great buttons last week and need a little cardi or vest for them. I'm trying to shop my stash rather than allowing the new yarns (cotton/silk, Daylily from Rowan, hand-dyed cotton...drool) tempt me!!! AAAAK! I will start to work on the Bowknot after I get the current WIPs under control. When I'm at the shop and have the opportunity to knit I need NBKs (no brain knits) in progress rather than my usual projects that involve concentration.
22.04.09 Batter up! His fierceness, Herr Kurbis is modeling the latest in headwear for Spring. I made this ball cap for the shop as a sample and it really came out cute! I felted it in the kitchen sink and then decided I need to needle felt the letters so they stand out better. Otherwise, it's a quick project.
A couple of weekends ago we rode down to Minneapolis with the Saturday bike riding group. It was fun and much warmer than the week before! It was a lovely day.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

It's that time of year!!! I'm wrapping gifts and headed to the post office today. I wanted to be sure to get the socks recorded and I finished the teddy for the Mother Bear project. I think that's a wonderful way to use up oddments. Anyway, the Santas gathered on the TV cabinet for a group photo and now they are back on the mantle. The tree is decorated and Jim got a wreath from the troop, so it's looking very Christmas-y here. Oh, and we have a nice coating of snow. I brought a load of wood in last night and will go out today and bring some closer to the house.

No baking yet, I want to wait a little while--mailing comes first. I'll work on the cards today. Tonight is bell practice, and I'm making an ornament to go along with our director's gift--a sheep. We're getting a sheep in her name through Heifer International. Good choice. I see from the time that I need to get going!!! I'm burning daylight.

Holiday Happy Dance! The boxes are mailed--ho ho ho-dee-ho!!

Yowza! Brain freeze!

03.12.08 Eevee and I went on our morning walkies. I knew it was chilly so I wore my long coat, felted mittens, knit collar, and handspun hat. I felt pretty good until we turned the corner near the neighborhood park. The wind seems to be so strong there. Anyway, it was really cold! I checked the temp on my computer and it's 17! Whaaa? It was 40 yesterday! Frankly, I don't mind the cold, but that sunshine and clear sky can be deceiving. We don't have any snow--it's all south of here as usual.

I have one pair of Cottage Socks finished and am on pair #2. I found a kid's slipper pattern and will use the leftover chunky yarn for those. I'm going to rewrite my own version of the cottage socks because I don't like the heel or toe.
07.12.08 Wow, I've been busy! Jim and I had a fun weekend. On Saturday, we did the Reindeer Run/Walk around Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. It was bitter cold, and sunny. The snow and the festive costumes of some of the participants added to the atmosphere of fun. The long-sleeved tee was a welcomed added layer of warmth!
In the evening, we went to the Madrigal dinner at a local high school. The daughter of our friends helped write and had a starring role. Her father directed the production. What a talented group of singers, actors, and musicians!
Yesterday we drove up to the tree farm in the morning to get our tree. Eevee went along for the ride and thoroughly enjoyed romping in the snow helping us look for the Christmas tree. Maybe she was flushing out the critters! The tree is up, but not decorated--yet. I had to finish the little Scrunchy Slippers for Jim's great-nephews. I had plenty of chunky yarn left from the Cottage Socks, and I timed myself knitting the last one this morning--40 minutes! Glad they're done! Now I can move on to other stuff, like the cards! Brother! Christmas is sneaking up quickly this year. Ben won't be home until Christmas Eve, so I have time to get something done for him.
We have snow in the forecast again today and I have class later this morning and help night tonight. Time to get going!

Socks!

My sock is no longer lonely! I haven't woven in ends, yet. They match, although one toe appears rounder in the photo. I'm trying to squeeze out some footies, but may need to rethink. I'd gone 4 1/2" on the cuffs of these--it may not. Oh well, I'll find a use someplace for the extra. I like this pattern, Play on Ribs (pattern photo from the Internet). I miss that extra needle, though. When I use all five needles, I can try my socks on as I knit.
I'm getting some feedback on my Amherst on Ravelry. That's pretty cool. I wish it was cool enough to wear it again. It's pretty steamy here right now. Tonight's the reunion party for the Germany trip. We're having it here. Jim's under the weather, so Ben and I have lots to do today.
Speaking of Germany...MiniD takes a break from the backpack at a cafe in Bertesgaden. The BMW museum in Munich was amazing. We happened to be there the day it opened! I've picked out my new car! We had a picnic in the Englischer Garten, and as we left the park we stopped on the bridge to watch the surfers on the river. That looked like fun!

It's a wrap on socks!

I'm calling these done! I can weave in the ends when I'm at Mom's today. The bamboo yarn is really soft. These will be nice to wear on the trip this summer. I had to rework the heel a few times because the stitches at the ankle weren't to my liking. Snugging up the yarn between the needles is important or the stitches will be too loose and look sloppy. I eyed the Noro yarn at the shop before class yesterday, but resisted the urge to buy--me 1, sock yarn 0. That's good. Other projects are calling right now. Yes, back to the Lopi sleeves...

1 + 1 = 2

See? It is possible (for me) to finish a pair of socks! I think I matched them rather well, too. Now I have the bamboo sock to finish and I won't have to do any more for a while. I'm a sweater-kind-of-girl. The socks I enjoy knitting are Baba's Bed Socks because I can finish one sock in about four hours. Ben, Jim, Debby, and Mom C. just love them, too.

Finishing UFOs

Once I got past the band heel (I had to wrap my brain around the instructions again), my SECOND sock is going well. Sock monkey and HD are helping by modeling them. The Kaffe Fasset yarn has lovely transitioning color bands. The yarn I really want to use is the NORO sock yarn (I will not start any more socks for a while!). It's not particularly soft, but the colors are absolutely gorgeous. They would be great socks to wear with hiking boots. It will be nice to finish these and then the bamboo socks. They are great take-along projects. I have to focus when I'm working on the Lopi cardigan. Working the motif into the increases of the sleeve is putzy, and I'm picky about how it looks. Now that swimming's over I can reclaim the house and begin to purge more stuff from the house for the troop yard sale and Goodwill. I'm also going through craft supplies and getting some together for Sharefest projects at church.
As long as I'm talking about color...here's the yarn I spun at the retreat. Joanne gave the roving to me when I visited her last year. To spin the roving, I used Louie (my Louet S10). The only reason I have the drop spindle there is because I showed someone how to use it. It's nice, soft, lofty wool. Don't know what it'll be, yet--need to know the yardage first!