A Wet Day at the Lake

Yesterday, after mass, Mike and I packed a cooler, a couple chairs, sand toys, towels and the girls and headed off to Sherando Lake .

We put on sunscreen and settled into our chairs. (Haley being goofy in the background. Love that chick!)

Faith did some sand castle building with a little help from Haley.

The girls got in a little swimming, and continued to swim through a passing shower.

Mike and kept looking at the sky and the moving clouds, but were holding out hope that it would all keep rolling past without any thunder or lighting.

Then a shower turned into a torrential downpour!  (no photos available too busy running for cover)  With everything in tow and our arms full we carefully made our way to the parking lot, through puddles up to our shins in some places. We were parked a good 1/3 of a mile away, because it was a lovely day for the beach.  Needless to say by the time we got to the car pretty much NOTHING was dry, except.... the 2 extra beach towels that were tucked away inside this lovely felted bag.

I made this felted bag about 7 years ago with excess wool I had.  It was my first ever felted project.  It now works as our beach bag and the beauty of felted material has now proven its' value.

Those 2 towels were much needed and did the trick in giving us a fairly dryer ride home than what could have been.

We didn't get to stay more than 90 minutes, but what an awesome memory the 4 of us have.

Just saw and now must learn the Linen Stitch

How did I miss it?  The linen stitch!  There are some truly wonderful patterns too that use it on Ravelry.

The only question left... What pattern to start with?

How to Knit the Half Linen Stitch - For Dummies

A Knitting Mom's Special Moment

I don't have make up on and my hair isn't fixed up all pretty, but the moment was too special to me not to have a photo of it, and share.

Lots of Knittin' Goin' On!

Another post about knitting, but I guess I don't have too much going on otherwise.

Finished the socks for Faith.

And made her a hat, the Chunky Dean Street Hat.

Have tucked them both away for Christmas!

Casted on the Children's Tunic in a lovely shade of pink by Brown Sheep Company, also for Faith. This won't be tucked away for Christmas.

Guess I'm in a children's knit mode, and I'm just not sure what to knit for Jacob and Haley for Christmas yet...

A Little Knitting Going On!

I'm completely flattered that my husband asked me if I could make something for a man at work whose wife who is having a baby. I even had some baby yarn in the stash!!!

Made this small blanket and hat, from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding.

Then casted on a pair of socks for Faith. So far she hasn't asked what I'm knitting or who it is for. Hoping I can get them made and put them away for Christmas for her.

I'm hoping I can do more knitting for the kids and gift it to them for Christmas. Is that corny? Or old fashioned? Well... even if it is... I am corny and old fashioned so it doesn't matter... does it?

Ready for Colder Weather

As I look back at all the knitting/crocheting I've done for the summer, I'm quite impressed with my efforts. Not only have I gifted a few items I've also added to my wardrobe for the coming winter! 2 new sweaters: Olivine and Summer's End and 3 pairs of socks: a basic ribbed pair and Embossed Leaves

Then here are the most recent finished pair. Hedera by Cookie A.

I RARELY buy myself any clothing! I'm not much of a shopper and would rather get my kids clothes than myself when the mood finally strikes. So I'm feeling really good about my accomplishments and am ready for the weather to turn colder!

I Finished!!

I finished the sweater for my sister! She was wearing it this morning when she left. 64 degrees out calls for a good sweater!

She is a nurse and always wears a sweater to work. In Charleston, SC they keep the air conditioning kind of cool I guess in the hospital so she needs it. Made the sleeves 3/4 length, didn't want them getting in her way while she worked.

Really like the buttons too! She wears navy blue scrubs for work and I think the color of the buttons will co-ordinate nicely.

Bunch of Bibs

My brother's daughter (my niece) had a baby girl on 8/6. Not sure why it happened that I had nothing knitted to send her for this little doll of a baby, but I went out Saturday and bought some cotton, and got right to work Sunday. I made her 5 bibs. Now to get them into the mail!

Some plain, some decorated.

Needles and Shovels

I'm up way too early today so I figured it would be a good time to do some blogging and catch you up on my knitting and the garden's harvest...

Finished one of the socks that I've been knitting in the Hedera pattern by Cookie A. I've made these socks before and they are super easy and pretty. This yarn was some the shop in CT chose and mailed to me and it is super pretty.

I may be giving this pair away.... we'll see.

Here is my Top Down Scoop Neck Cardigan by Janet Soucy. I made the smaller size in this pattern and it seems smaller than expected. Made mom the medium and it fits her perfectly. Was thinking of someone in particular for this, but it may not work now. We'll have to see once it is finished and off the needles, sometimes it just looks small before it is done. Yes, I'm pushing forward!

This time I didn't forget to take a photo of the potatoes Mike dug. Again, the garden is only in its' first year of harvest and this Virginia clay, excuse me soil, takes A LOT of doctoring before it will produce a plentiful crop. We are still surprisingly pleased with it!

Notice the peppers, which have grown beautifully, and the acorn squash which is only 1 of about 5 we have!

Can't help but look at our 6+, 5 of which is wooded and on the side of a mountain ridge, and think where can we expand our garden to for next year? However, Mike quickly reminds me it is him that does the majority of the work (okay 95% of it is a pretty big majority) and he isn't as excited to expand as I am. But gosh do I LOVE the rewards of having a garden!!

Instant Gratification

Even though I have 2 projects on the needles sometimes it is required to put them aside for a day to do a couple of other quick projects.

Faith has been playing with her baby dolls and was searching high and low for a baby bib, so I knitted her one. She told me she'd like to see some flowers on the next one. Uhm okay! (The little button I used is a purple flower.)

Then for fun and no reason what-so-ever... I crocheted myself a change purse.

It was fun to do these quick, instant gratification projects. Maybe I should spend some more time doing this stuff? Maybe save it all up and sell it? Hmmm? Maybe after I finish the socks and sweater I've started, you know me can't have too many eggs in the basket!

Catching Up!

In The Knitting Bag

Finished knitting the socks I had been working on for over a MONTH! Can't believe it took me that long to finish a pair of socks. But... here they are:

I made them really loose fitting, and I like them.

The knitting still isn't going full force, but I did cast on another pair of socks in the Hedera pattern.

And I've casted on a sweater, the Neck Down Scoop Neck Cardigan by Diane Soucy.

I'll post photos of the actual projects when there is more to show. Both of these patterns I've made before and I think I just needed to do a couple of familiar patterns.

On the Home Front

Jake and I drove to bring Adam back to his parents on Saturday. We all really miss having him, but his parents insisted that 2 weeks was enough.

Mike got his staples out today, just short of 3 weeks since his surgery. He is doing really well and should be returning to work this week some time. This has me a little blue... I LOVE having my husband around and being with him... can't get sick of that!! But, someone has support my sorry behind!!

We took the kids to the movies last week. Gotta LOVE having a $1.00 theater near by!! Movies that are no longer in the big theaters, but still not on DVD. What a cheap way to spend the afternoon!!

Mike took Faith to see How to Train Your Dragon. He said there were a few scary parts for a 6 year old, but she LOVED it and wanted to know yesterday if she could go see it again. Mike said this is one that we should consider owning when it does come out on DVD. High praise!

Haley and I went to see Letters to Juliet. Definitely a "chick" flick, but it was awesome! Very endearing, romantic and adventurous with a very happy ending. Everything I LOVE about a movie. Haley enjoyed it too, although my tough exterior daughter would not admit it in front of her father. Now I am dreaming about a day that I can travel to Italy and explore the countryside. Why is it that movies do that to me? Please tell me I'm not alone and this a "chick" thing!

LOST: Knitting Mojo

An entire week and I've probably only held my knitting needles for 30 minutes total this week!!!

Last night and yesterday I probably could have spent a great deal of time knitting and didn't?

Am I still sick? I'm at a complete loss for words here....

Taking the kids to the beach today, I'll bring my knitting and maybe just maybe I'll get my knitting mojo back...

Olivine Sweater Done

Ah! Finished! I'm really please with this sweater! The pattern wasn't the easiest to read when I first started, but once I got going and figured out how the designer was writing, it became easier.

Now my problem is... what is next? Still haven't figured that out yet. Why?

Catching Up

Mike's surgery went well on Wednesday and he is in a little discomfort, but doing well. (For the faint at heart look away!)

Here he is in recovery.

Here is the elbow when we unwrapped it this morning.

Here it is before surgery.

Yesterday Jacob and I drove to PA to meet our good friends from CT. We had lunch with them and took their son Adam home with us for a few weeks.

I've been able to get "some" knitting done, but nothing yet finished (can't understand why!). Maybe next post there will be finished items.

Decisions, decisions, decisions! And no answers!

Typically when I'm nearing the end of a knitting project I have 5 ideas in my head for what is next. This time however, I'm at a bit of a loss! I know it is crazy!!

Do I want to make Faith a dress for summer?

This is a great pattern that I've made 3 times now, but.... nah! this one still fits well.

Do I want to make another felted bag?

I don't think so. There isn't a need yet for another felted bag.

My brother Bill will be turning 50 in May 2011. I could go ahead and knit him a sweater for that and give it to him early so he can get plenty of use from it through this coming winter.

Still plenty of time to do that, no need to start now! Plus I need to buy yarn to make it and I really should be using stash!

Well I could just focus on finishing the pair of socks I'm working on.

That won't work! They are more than 75% finished too!

Great! Now I've realized I also need to figure out what socks I'm casting on next!

Ugh! Any ideas? Anyone?

Photos of Finished Knitting Projects

I'm sure I've mentioned the finished crocheted afghan I've made for my niece who is getting married in August, but had neglected photos, here it is:

Also another pair of socks have been put away in my sock drawer:

Have 2 more projects I'm knitting on that I will have to share soon... for now I have laundry to hang on the line and a family to care for, knitting will have to keep : (

A Knitter Prepares

I'll put pictures up of the (nearly) finished socks when they are done and the (nearly) finished afghan when it is complete. The socks I only have a toe to sew and the afghan I just need to finish the border.

So yesterday I spent time preparing for the next projects. I bought this pattern: (for me again!)

And wound this yarn to make it: Louet in Hunter Green

There always has to be a pair of socks in the making, because they travel so well, so I wound some Hand Painted Nichole, the color is Vanessa Bell. Still debating what pattern the socks will be, but isn't it poetic when this:

goes onto this:

and becomes this tidy little ball of this?

Oh the potential... It could bring a knitter to tears....

Score!

For the summer Jacob's piano lesson is on Tuesdays. So, this will be the day I try to do any errands in the city while I'm there.

Yesterday, while Jacob was in his lesson it was just too hot to sit in the car and knit like I normally would, so I ventured to the university's book store. (Barnes & Noble) I wandered around browsing and look at this bargain I came across:

Although I don't have kids the ages for the patterns in the book how could I resist a knitting book for only $1.00? No that is not a typo I got it right $1.00! Score!!

Here are just some of the designs that are in the book. I'll just continue to peruse it until maybe a niece or two has a baby for me to knit for...

A Boy's Own Jacket

Kaleidoscope Throw

Outdoor Snuggle