Looking Forward to Summer

Things are a little crazy here. We have family visiting in two days, and there is so much to do! Of course, we are waiting until the last minute to do everything, too. Why plan ahead when you can be totally stressed out in the end? That seems to be our philosophy.

I haven't knit much lately, but I did start a new pair of socks.


The first one went so quickly, just a few days. I'm using Panda Cotton, which is very nice. The colorway is Strawberries-Limes--I love the pink and green combo.

Our relatives will be here for about 10 days, and then three days later Joel and I are going to Vegas. I can't wait! I'm not really a gambler--I always seem to lose all my money almost immediately. What I am looking forward to is the spectacle of it all (I've never been there), the pool and the heat... and drinking some frou frou drinks at the pool in the heat. Can you tell I've been missing summer?

Knitting in Slow Motion

I have a serious case of knitter's ADD lately, and I'm finding it hard to focus on any one project. This weekend I picked up a cardi that's been sitting neglected for a while and added a few rows.


I'm ready to start a set of decreases. It's turning out a little larger than I thought it was going to, but it think it will be fine in the end. I know I'll wear this sweater a lot, but it's not very exciting to knit at this point. Lots of stockinette and a small gauge--good for TV and movies though!

The neck has a rolled edge, one of my favorite details...


It was really a stretch for me to get a few good photos today. For one thing, our apartment is a total disaster. I'm a very bad housekeeper--it's really quite sad. We are having guests in a few weeks though, so at least it will be clean soon!

Also, it's really hard to photography yourself. I do have a tripod, but I was feeling lazy. For each of these three photos, there were about six others that were blurry, made me look like I had a double-chin, etc. Not very flattering.

Then there were photos like this one...


... which seems to have focused more on the wall behind me! That is a watercolor I did in college--it's actually a copy of, I believe, a Ralph Going's painting. I always loved photorealism, but it's not easy to capture that style in watercolor!

Plays, Plays, Plays -- and a Snicket Update

I have been busy lately, not neccesarily with knitting though. Last Saturday we went to see two plays. It was a bit much for one day, but it was fun anyway. My husband works in the theater business, so we see a lot of plays.

The second play was at Cal Shakes, which has an outdoor ampitheater. They have such a beautiful setting there.


The picture really doesn't do it justice. It is set in the East Bay hills, and there is a lovely picnic grove in the other direction. We've been there three times this summer, but haven't actually picnicked apart from wine (a must!) and snacks. It gets pretty chilly there--you can see the fog rolling over the top of hills. Plus it's near our favorite Mexican place in Oakland (which is dangerously near a great yarn store).

I have been making progress on my various knitting projects, with not much exciting to show. My purse is all stitched together, except for the handle. It has been sitting in this state for about a week. I just need to suck it up and figure out the crochet trim. What can I say, I'm easily intimidated by crochet!

My Snicket sock is progressing slowly, but surely. I'm doing an alternate heel, inspired by this lovely version. This is a leap of faith for me, as I'm still not the most confidant with sock construction, but it seems to be turning out OK.


I'm ready to pick up stitches for the gusset--cross your fingers for me that it turns out. I'm also slightly concerned that this sock will be a little snug. It's not a very stretchy. I really love this pattern though, so I'm hoping for the best!

Sneak Peek

Lately, I have all I can do to restrain myself from casting on for about a million different projects. There are way too many cute things to knit out there! I usually try not to go too crazy though, or I won't be able to finish anything. My three current projects are all moving very slowly, even though I have been working on them consistently. I think that may be part of the issue.

Earlier this week, I picked up a copy of the new book The Yarn Girls' Guide to Knits for All Seasons. I have one of their other books, and I've been waiting for this one to come out. This new book has a lot of really cute patterns. I like reading the stories that accompany each pattern, as well.

After looking through the book a few times, I started to wonder if I had any yarn I could use for any of the patterns. (I also started searching the internet for some of the yarns they used, but thankfully I restrained myself!) I had a skein of Cascade 220 leftover from the Two-Toned Ribbed Shrug I made a while ago, and it seemed like it would be a good fit for "Becoming the Bag Lady", a cabled bag.


On size 8 needles, this is moving very quickly. I finished the front in about a night and a half. Tonight, I'm starting the back. Cables are so much fun to knit, especially simple ones like these that don't require too much concentration.

I'm not sure how practical a purple, handknit bag will be, but I'm loving the instant gratification!