Saturday, January 30, 2010

Inching Along


here is some Saturday sock progression.
Not to bad for starting it on Thursday night!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Dodging Rain Drops






California was pretty soggy over the last week or two, but we managed to sneak in a good walk just about everyday. The rain would stop just long enough for us to rush into our gear and head out for what we call "a big walk". This means not just around the block, right. As many of you know, nature can be a bit challenging to find here in the middle of a big city. We have adjusted our view of nature a bit and have been so thrilled at what we have been able to find. Some of it literally in our own back yard! These photos were all shot at the newly restored Dominguez Gap Wetlands right down the block from our house. SO lovely!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

of sticks & string

Today I find myself with a rare day at home and a knitting basket overflowing with projects. Some started, some almost finished, some in need of starting,
and some in desperate need of help!


This mass of red yarn is all the finish components of my first sweater.
The pattern is from the Spring 2008 issue of Living Craft magazine. All that is left to do is block the pieces, sew it together and knit the neck. A word to the wise, it runs big! If Alaster was willing to wear it ( which he has stoutly informed he is not) it would be more of a sweater dress. Ah well, it is good practice for me and it will probably end up in my shop.


Next on the to do list, this beautiful pile of oh so soft finger weight yarn, so to become my first pair of socks! Aren't the colors amazing???? I am very excited and my beloved knitting mentor swears they are simple. My only trepidation being how small those needles are!!!
oh well my children will take care of me when I am old and blind right?


Last but not least are my fingerless gloves. This yarn is amazingly soft and has a really nice stretch to it, perfect for molding to my hands. Using the Toasty pattern from A Friend To Knit With, I swear I did everything they said!!! Somehow in picking up stitches for the thumb gusset, I created a few large holes around the thumb. Oh yeah, and I knitted it inside out! Argggggh, guess I have to practice those skills a bit more! Good thing my knitting mentor hasn't moved to Florida yet.



Still in the basket, a pile of cotton to be turned into washcloths, non-wool yarn to be knitted into a Chemo cap for a cousin fighting cancer and a prayer shawl for her as well. Time to get to work!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

breath, listen, act


for a while now, I have been feeling stuck. Maybe not stuck necessarily but not moving forward in an orderly fashion. It has seemed like I have been spinning my wheels a lot and not getting very far. I felt like one of those old gyroscopes, constantly moving in circles and not getting very far.

So I have sat in my chair for awhile, poked at my knitting and taken a breather. Some time to sit quietly ( as quietly as one can with a three-year-old) and listen. Listen to my heart's desires, make plans, and just plain old get out of my own way!

I need to do this periodically and then the dust settles and everything falls back into place. Lots of exciting opportunities coming into view. Lots of room to stretch and grow.

Come on Universe
I am ready for you now!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Fascinating!


From this wonderful pile of odds and ends I made ...


my first fascinator! Go give it a whirl.
Just remember to become one with the feathers as a good friend reminded me.