Monday, May 26, 2008

May...Where Has It Gone?

This past few weeks have been busy but I don't seem to have anything to show for it! I have been knitting, driving kids around, working and knitting.

The feather and fan cardigan is put aside for a few days. I have frogged it 4 times and was so frustrated with it that I wanted to rip it out. The pattern is NOT the clearest it can be. I have never knit a sweater before and there are a few things that I wouldn't just assume, but apparently according to Classic Elite, I should have. They were simple fixes but at the time they were HUGE!. Knowledge is power (and understanding). I will be working on it again this week as I really want to finish and wear it... so I will persevere.

This week is a busy one again. DD has a MilitaryTattoo dance practice tonight and again on Wednesday, dance class on Tuesday and Thursday evening and I have my knitting group on Thursday as well. She is also working a shift or 2 in that time and going to High school. DS has only to go to high school this week and to work at the end of it. DH is on midnight shift so my sleep pattern is all screwed up. Oh well more knitting time!

I have finished my socks for the Wool Girl Sock Club. I love them. They are made with Mama Llama Perfect Sock yarn in a special colourway for the sock club! The Pattern was design for the club as well. It is called Reina by Lisa Dykstra. I received the Sportweight yarn. I will DEFINATELY knit with it again. The colours are great and the feel is soft. I am also posting them to the SAM5 KAL as my socks for May.

Started a new pair of socks for DH's cousin. I am using Conjoined Creations Flat Feet yarn. It is really neat. There are 2 attached panels that have been machine knit and hand dyed. You knit right from the panel, as you knit the panel unravels! It is a cool idea. The pattern is Apple Harvest and is from Northern Sunshine Designs. The design is supposed to go up the back of the leg, but I think I may move it to the front. I will decide when I am closer to the heel. The yarn is a bit rough but I am hoping that it will soften once I wash and block it.

DD is knitting Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket for a friend. She is doing a great job on it and is about 1/4 they way finished! She is using Mission Falls 1824 cotton yarn. This is DD's first project that is not a hat or scarf. She is very impressed with her knitting ability.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Sweater, Socks and Spring!

This is what I can see from my front window at my store. Isn't it lovely!

AND here is what I have out front of my home!

This is what I see when I look OUT of my window at my store!

Tiger sits in the window most days, enjoying the sun and watching the world go by!

AND here is my little store... If you look at the window closely, you can see Tiger jumping down.


Knitting progress...

I have made quite a bit of progress on the Feather and Fan cardigan. I am just about to start the bodice. I was working BOTH sleeves at the same time as I made then about 2 1/2 inches longer than the pattern called for. I am REALLY liking this Just Soya yarn and this pattern. I still can't get over how easy it truly is, yet it looks difficult. I look back and think "why was I afraid of it?" Oh well, Live and Learn!

I have not yet cast on for the WoolGirl Sock Club yet. I figured that I wanted to get the sweater done, but it is getting a bit too large to be carrying around with me. So I will be working on it at home and starting the Reina socks to take with me when I go out!

I am starting to repair another pair of highland dance socks for the dance studio. I am slowly picking through the many pairs that our dance studio has and making repairs to them one by one. Since there is no rush for these I can take my time and work on them in between my other projects.

Other than that not much else has happened in the last week. Mother's Day is on Sunday. I am hoping for some acknowledgement from my kids, but they are both working so we shall see...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all!

Friday, May 2, 2008

May Already! and Knitting Too!

Oh my gosh! Where did April go? It's May Already!

How can you NOT smile when you see this flower! I have 3 of these in my front garden. It is sad that there are ONLY 3, as they are beautiful. Next year there will be more!

More Highland Dance socks socks mended! I think I am getting the hang of this repair thing!

Before

Before

After!

The dance teacher at our Highland Dance Studio is so happy with the repairs that I have been doing on the socks, that she is having me determine a price for each type of repair. Then we will offer my repair services to whom ever requires them! It will be far cheaper than having a new pair knitted.

THIS is what I received from WoolGirl for the WoolGirl Sock Club! OMG It is Beautiful! I absolutely LOVE the colours, my favourite, and the softness of the yarn is unbelievable! I will be starting the socks this coming week!

I have also been working on the Feather and Fan Cardigan. I have about 4 inches done on the sleeves. I am knitting both sleeves at the same time on circular needles, as I want to make them longer. I will post a picture of the progress later.

We met last night at our knitting meeting. We were only 5 knitters this week. It was fun, we laughed and talked and even knitted a bit too! Next meeting we should be back to our regular numbers.