Sock Fail

I sat down to have a cup of tea and work on my Tidepool Socks.  I've been totally uninterested in them, they just weren't knitting up into something I liked. I fought it hard, I tried to like them, really I did, but there was just something about them. So now they look like this:

Yep, I did it again.  Back in December I ripped out a sock I had started for the boss...right about the time I got to the heel flap, which is where I was on this one.  Now I'm wondering if I'll ever finish a pair of socks...or even one sock!

Cupcakes!

Not much to show lately, except for these cupcakes!  I did finish the hat and am almost done a scarf to match (at least the colors match!) Pictures to follow soon. Grace talked me into buying yarn for 3 more hats, to be finished by next winter.  Maybe.  I think I'll probably need to find a different pattern so I don't get bored!

I've been so  busy I haven't picked up my hand quilting in a few weeks.  That might be done by next winter too!

What was I thinking?

A few weeks ago there was a Groupon offer that I couldn't pass up.  Three knitting lessons at a yarn shop in Haddonfield, NJ called Woolplay, for only $40.  Grace and I decided to go on a little adventure on Thursday and head to Haddonfield to sign up for classes. Of course, we couldn't leave without buying a little something!  Grace saw a sample hat that she loved, so somehow I offered to make it for her.  The pattern is the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret by Natalie Hanson and is a free Ravelry download. She picked out a gorgeous Malabrigo Twist yarn in the Damask Rose colorway.

Yesterday, in spite of having far too many projects started, I wound the yarn and figured I'd give it a whirl.  This is where I am after an evening's knitting.  I hope to finish it this weekend.  I love the drape of the knitted fabric, it's so soft. Grace is already putting in orders for her next hats...she figures if I make her 365 of them, she'll have never have to wear the same one twice!  I think I'll have to teach her how to knit!

And what classes did I sign up for? An "Easy Lace" class and a class on fixing your mistakes...I need that one badly! I'll have one more class, which will be in the fall.  The surprising thing is, this delightful shop has been there for 6 YEARS and I didn't even know about it!

On the Side...

Sherri at The Loopy Ewe is having a First Quarter 2011 Cable Challenge.  The idea is to knit anything with a cable and finish it this quarter.  Yeah, by the end of March.  I decided to jump on in because Grace had asked me to make a scarf that matched the mitts I made her last year.  Easy enough!  I gave her a few options and she chose On the Side (Ravelry link) by Abby Tohline.  So far it's knitting up pretty quickly and is a simple seed stitch with a reversible cable down one side. I'm hoping I can finish it before the winter is over...I'd like her to be able to use it!  

 

I'm alternating working on this with hand quilting my nine patch quilt.  It was a Christmas present for Andrew's girlfriend Dayna and she's waiting patiently for it.  One of these days...

I also got back to my machine last weekend and hope to have a finished top by the end of this weekend...I'll post that when it's done!  I'll quilt this one on my Pfaff since my longarm is still in storage, which is where it will remain for the foreseeable future.  Someday it will see the light of day again...I hope!

Oddly Fascinated...

 I had two plans for my recovery...to quilt and to knit.  Okay, I also planned to do some computer work for the real job (which I've done).  I started my Lily Cardigan from Marie Grace Designs and have found myself doing more knitting than quilting.  I find that I'm oddly fascinated with how this sweater is constructed and find it amazing that I can follow the pattern...I'm not so good at following knitting patterns.  Or patterns in general.

But I'm in love with these raglan increases.  They're just so much fun and I made them!  They may not all line up perfectly, but then, neither do I, so I'm okay with that at this stage.  Once the sweater is done I may not be quite as happy with them.

I'm having the boss take me to my favorite yarn store this weekend, as my 24" circular needle won't cut it for a sweater that will have over 300 stitches on the needles by the end. It's already getting a little hard to work with, so tonight I'll spend some time quilting.  Unless those little raglan increases start calling to me again.

And how about that Phillies game last night?  Awesome...

Here we go again...

I can't believe we did this, but meet Daisy, our new puppy!  Her mom is a Siberian Husky and Dad is an Australian Shepherd.  She's gentle and sweet...but such a PUPPY!  I haven't had a puppy in the house for 17 years, the last few dogs we had were adopted as adults.  She has one blue eye and one brown eye.  Can't wait to see what we're in for!!!

Keeping Busy

I've never had to spend a long amount of time housebound, at least not since I had little kids. I've been trying to keep busy.

I knitted a dishcloth.















I did some hand quilting...















I crocheted a prayer shawl...



















I've just cast on a simple garter knit scarf for some mindless knitting. I tried working on a sock and the knit 2, purl 2 ribbing was just more than I could handle. I don't seem to have much of an attention span for knitting!

The girls go back to school this week and I'm out on medical leave until October 22nd. I'm thinking I'll be spending some time in my sewing room once they're in school...can't wait!

Prayer Shawl

Last night I finished my first prayer shawl. I totally enjoyed knitting it and can't wait to get another one on my needles. It was so relaxing to make this and I know that it will be greatly appreciated by the lady here in town who will receive it. The pattern was simple and I only messed it up in one spot. Of course I didn't find it until it was completely finished, fringe and all! If quilters make humility blocks for their quilts, do knitters make humility rows? :o)