Loot

No, not the Joe Orton play, but the generous birthday gift from my ILs:

I love this packaging. It's so simple, but really cute.

I'm trying to save this for a trip to the beach, appropriately enough.

Ahhh. The good stuff. I love Silky Wool.

(Tiny old dog tucked under table not included.)

I have no plan. In fact, I keep tucking everything back into the bag carefully, putting it away, and then opening it up again to look at it, which is its own reward. But it is definitely giving me the knitting urge, which in itself is a gift.

Now With Actual Kntting Content!

Now that I'm done with submissions for a little while, my knitting time is free for playing around with some ideas.



This lovely pink yarn is a cone of 100% cotton I mixed up at Yarnia (3 strands pink, 3 strands orange). I'd tossed it up on the shelf in our bedroom closet and nearly forgotten about it in all the busy-ness of our little house, but every so often I'd look up and mentally remind myself that I've been saving it to make something especially for little miss Z.



I decided on a simple round yoked cardigan, and yarnover increases to add a tiny touch of femininity. I threw in the rounds of garter st just so I wouldn't get bored. The cardi's somewhat slow going - it's a sport weight, and my achy hands much prefer soft wool to crunchy cotton - but I suspect that has much to do with my cranky, newly locomoting babe. What you see here is about 2.5 weeks of work.

I popped in to Dublin Bay the other day, and picked some stunning Fleece Artist merino:


Seriously. This yarn demanded that I take it home. I mean, look at it:

And once again, I'm adding to the sock yarn stash despite the fact that I refuse to actually knit socks. But this yarn is so lovely, I'm sure I'll come up with a use for it soon.

Loot

...or, Happy Mother's Day to Me.

(A semi-local LYS is closing, and having a 30% off sale. Baby & I paid a visit this morning and collected a few souvenirs.
From L to R: green Venezia Worsted [cabled pullover], purple Felted Tweed [Elise from Vintage Knits?], Calmer in sunshiney yellow [summer top], grey and black 220 Wool [casual vest for either hub or me -- haven't decided yet]. We also picked up copies of Knitting Classic Style and Knitting Lingerie Style -- books I already know I love. All in all, a very pleasant morning's work.)

Noises OFFF

I awoke this morning in a frantic state from a horrible dream. I found myself at the Minnesota State Fair, wandering around the Creative Activities building helplessly, mumbling "But this isn't right. I'm supposed to be at the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. What am I doing here?"

You'd think I was looking forward to this event or something. ;-P

The crowd:



I was too shy to go say hello, but I did recognize at least one person in the group (Hi Melissa!).

The barns:

This little llama was bold as brass until you got close enough to touch. Then back into the pen, quick as a wink!


Wow. That pregnant tummy really sneaks up you, doesn't it? Normally all of me would've fit into that picture.

Jacobs rams; oh-so-handsome. The kids were impressed with the sheer number of horns.

The eats:



(No, we did not actually explain to the kids that these were lamb kabobs. They enjoyed them. Maybe next year.)

And most, importantly, the yarn:

This is Mountain Berry. Only a massive amount of restraint kept me asking if we could move into their house in exchange for more yarn.


Organic Rambouillet. So delicious and cushy.

Stash enhancement brought to you -- well, okay, brought to me, 'cause I am so not sharing -- by JerryLee Farms and Blue Moon Fiber Arts.

Fun was had by all - even my dearest Boy-O, who tolerates the fiber weirdness solely because it makes me happy.

Spring Hath Sprung

This is the lovely little tree that grows on our lawn and totally makes my week every time I see it. Ah, spring!

In fact, our whole street is blooming:

I am entirely, unreasonably delighted with the blooms, and the weather, and the general sense of possibility trembling in the air. It soothes my soul in a much-needed fashion.

Yarnwise, I am continuing the non-red and purple path I've been set on. I am still plugging away at the Create A Long project (details are being posted there), despite the serious temptation of the Elfin Goth sweater:


The elusive CotLin. (I know some of you are looking for it; it will be back soon.)

And even though it's practically summer (yes, I know it isn't really, but can you blame me with all those blossoms?), I also snagged myself some alpaca-y goodness:


For the record, that lime green pillow does not officially reside on that pink & white couch. We are sometimes daring in our decorating choices, but not crazy.)

10 skeins of Andean Treasure in a rousing orange for a long-overdue project. I think it will be smarvy.

As the CAL project is not in an especially portable phase, the sock knitting continues :

Not being a sock knitter, it has taken a little while for me to loosen my death grip on the needles. Now that I've done so, progress is rather easier.
Heel flap mostly done, (just using regular heel stitch, though I've discovered I prefer the eye of partridge version). Still, I can't believe I've actually got this far on a sock before stabbing myself in the hand with a skinny pointy needle in order to avoid continuing giving up.
This feels miraculous. Undoubtedly, it's spring fever.