Start & Finish

Gosh! I just went outside for 2 minutes to take a couple of pictures, and broke into a sweat! It is stiffling here. 94 degrees, 100% humidity! Already!

Anyway, I finished my May STR socks. Not crazy about the pattern, but like the yarn. All in all, love the way they turned out. I'm gifting these to a friend's daughter who likes purple.

Since I finished a pair of socks, I had to start a new pair, you know. Or maybe 2 new pairs. These are a simple 3x1 rib in Sunshine Yarns - watermelon stripe colorway - using a 2.25 mm needle. I love the way they're striping.

These are Zen Yarn Garden in Woolgirl colorway, also on 2.25 mm needles, using Cookie A's new freebie pattern, Summer Sox. I really like this yarn and this pattern.

In other news, the Girasole is coming along. I'm almost finished with Chart D, and I think it will be slow going once I do. On the last row, the stitch count doubles from 320 to 640. It's ok though. It's a very therapeutic knit, simple lace pattern with every other row stockinette. I'm very happy with how it's coming and can see more of these in the future.

Oh, and I frogged that scarf from the previous post. After a few inches, I didn't like the way it was striping. Love the yarn. It'll make a very pretty pair of socks. Love the pattern too; think I may work it up in some Wollmeise.

Have a good week!

Guess Who's Visiting . . .

OS and Beau came for an overnight visit. We thought we'd put him in the pool and see how he did. He generally doesn't like to be outside for any length of time because of the heat. (It's already in the 90's here.) We were afraid he might not be strong enough to hold himself up in the water, but he did fine. OS taught him how to swim to the steps and get out.

After his little swim, he got a nice bath under the hose . . .

Once we were inside - he kept running to the door trying to get in - he was pooped. Here he is chillin . . .

Then it was naptime . . .

Some yarny goodness came in the mail today - Wollmeise in Limone colorway - got it in a trade from a friendly raveler . . .

I'm on the heel flap of my STR club sock. Should finish it in a day or so. I think I may rip out the toe on the first one - I just don't like the way it turned out - and do it my usual way. These are going to a friend's daughter who likes purple. She's going through a rough time right now, and I hope this will let her know that I'm thinking about her, and she's not alone.

Progress is being made on my Girasole. I'm almost finished with the second skein of yarn. Already halfway through Chart D.

Put this on the needle and did a few rows because I need some travel knitting for the weekend. Think I might put some simple socks, maybe in sportweight, on needles too to bring with me. We're going to New Orleans with my youngest son's junior varsity basketball team for a weekend camp. We'll probably sit through 8-10 games. I should get a lot of knitting done.

Have a great weekend!

And Happy Birthday, Meg!

Girasole KAL

I've started something, and I can't stop. I joined in the Girasole knit-a-long over at The Loopy Ewe. You can read about it in Sheri's blog post here. She is such an enabler. This is such an addictive pattern. I started Sunday (actually I attempted 3 times to start it on Saturday, but I was in a hurry and couldn't handle the double point needles, and then I misread the pattern, so I just put it down and tried again the next day), worked on it a few hours, then worked on it a few more hours yesterday. I've already gotten through Charts A, B, & C.

I'm using Louet Gems sportweight in white on a size 7 needle. I started out magic loop instead of double points, way too fiddly. I'm making this as a christening shawl for some good friends who just found out they're going to be grandparents. So excited for them.

This little beauty is from Simply Socks Yarn Company. It is their 4th anniversary special edition. It comes with a free scarf pattern. More info here.

And, lastly, some Wollmeise Zenzi light that I got in a trade. Love, love, love.

Have a great day.

The Puppy Monster

Isn't he gorgeous? Excuse the crappy photo. It's from a cell phone.

8 weeks old, 15 pounds. He's gonna be a monster.

He'll Never Come Home Now!!!

Josh, my middle son, heretofore referred to as MS, is moving into an apartment this weekend with 2 friends. MS is now a junior at LSU. He lived in a dorm his freshman year, then in his fraternity house. He is so excited to be moving into an apartment. NO ONE lives on campus after their sophomore year, you know. (I personally didn't know this, but was quickly informed.)







I mean, really, if you had a nice 3 bedroom apartment with 2 of your best buds (and someone special lived right down the road) . . .

. . .why would you ever come home? I guess I'll have to resort to bribery.

That's him on the right. How about that sectional sofa? One of the boys bought it at a consignment shop; they are so proud of it. The only way they could get it to fit without a lot of wasted space was to split the sectional and put it on either side of the love seat. I told them it looked great. What the hell . . . it's a man cave.

And now on to more important stuff - yarn. My order from The Loopy Ewe came in, lots of Numma Numma in the usual. The colors are great, l to r they are: all night diner, Sheri knits the blues, pie please, after dinner mint, eat your veggies, and gumbo n' greens.

And below, Yarn Love in Bayfield Apple. I had one of these, but TD took it.

SPOILER!!!!!

SPOILER!!!!!

If you haven't received your Wollmeise Sock kit, you might want to go away now. If not, keep going.

Aren't they just gawgeous? I totally love both colors. Happy Weekend! I'm back to Baton Rouge tomorrow to help MS stock is kitchen.

The Baby's Going To High School

I know he's 14, but he's still my baby. And I guess he always will be. Here he is with a group of his friends from his 8th grade graduatin class. That's him, 4th from the left. Isn't he precious? I may be a little prejudice.




This is him in the middle at the graduation ceremony. The school has the cutest program; the children actually write it themselves. It is personal, individualized, and very funny.

Below, he receives his diploma from his principal. She is a great lady, teacher and principal.

Here he is with his best buds clowning around.

A graduation dance was held the following night. There was a DJ, dancing and food. (And maybe a special friend)

It's hard to believe he is growing up. He was an honor roll student and wants to take honors classes in high school. He can do it if he puts his mind to it. He has already started practicing basketball with the freshman team at high school, and he started lifting weights with the football team this week -- 4 times a week @ 7 am. Luckily, we have neighbors to carpool with.

Good luck, my baby. I know you'll do great.

And, since this is a knitting blog, a progress shot of my STR sock. Hope to finish the foot tonight.

Random Tuesday

I know that title makes no sense, but nothing seems to make sense around here anymore. It's been a busy, busy time. What with graduations, trips and a tragedy in our community, things have been very emotional around here. I have been doing some knitting, and some acquiring of yarn. I'm not sure which I enjoy more. I like to think of myself as a collector sometimes. I guess that's one way I rationalize all of my yarn acquisitions.


Finished my Numma Numma socks in Grape Jam colorway. The pattern is Angee from Cookie A's book Sock Innovation. Keeping these for myself. p.s. I hit an update of Numma Numma at The Loopy Ewe yesterday. Got 1 or 2 (ok 6) more colors.

Also finished a scarf. It's the February Woolgirl Sock Club scarf pattern. I really enjoyed it. The yarn is Zen Yarn Garden in Gold Dynasty colorway. I'm thinking Saints games and LSU games. Keeping this for myself too.

Some recent Wollmeise acquisitions from ravelry trades and purchases, left to right are: Simply Pink, Blue Suzanne, Petit Poison No. 5, and Baristo. They are so gorgeous.

Strawberry Frenzy in Yarntini . . . yummy . . . the May semi-solid club color. I'm going to have to knit this soon.

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!

If you haven't received your May Socks That Rock club kit, you may want to go away now.

Last chance . . .

It's a great kit.

Beautiful colorway . . .

Started it last night. Love the yarn, love the pattern, not sure if I like them together though. The pattern kinda gets lost in the colors.

Later this week, some pics of "the baby's" 8th grade graduation. I know, can you believe it?