My Memorial Day Weekend

Our big event over the weekend was my husband's graduation on Sunday! Here he is with his new Master's degree in Computer Science:


On Monday, we were tired out from graduation. So, we made a couple of pitchers of margaritas, relaxed in the shade in our backyard and enjoyed the view of the gardens. Here are some daisies that are in flower now:


I had planned to knit at graduation, but it just wasn't possible in the crowds. Sadly, I lost ground on the sock because it fell off the needles in my bag and must be started all over again! Argh! Oh well, it was still a wonderful weekend :-)

Spring Blossoms

When my mother saw the pics of my lace headband yesterday, she asked me to make one for her! So, I don't have any new knitting pics for you today as I am repeating a pattern using the same yarn too.

How about a pic of flowers in my butterfly garden instead? This is a Sweet Rocket. I wish you could smell it!! It's unbelievable sweet. I know this plant has a tendency to get invasive, but it's so beautiful and I love the way the scent drifts across my yard on just the slightest breeze.

Lace Headband Done

This knitted up so quickly! I haven't blocked it, but it lays flat anyway. This is one of those pics taken with an arm outstretched, so it's not very good, but I think you'll get the idea. I really quite like it so far and it's a good way to use up odd ends of yarn.

Lace Headband

I visited Barnes and Noble last night to buy a copy of Interweave Knits, Summer 2006. Browsing through it, I decided to try "Molly's Headband" to learn lace making skills and to use up odd bits of yarn from my grandmother's stash. The pattern is available free online at:
Sweet Somethings (page 4).

Although I've done some eyelet lace before, this is the most complicated lace pattern I have tried. This is also the first i-cord I have made! The pattern calls for sport weight yarn, so I chose a ball from the stash that seems to be about that. I'm sorry I have no ball band, so I won't be able to share that info with you. I have no idea what it is, but I do love the color! Here is a picture of the magazine along with the start of my headband:



Here is a detail of my headband so far:



I'm still working on the socks pictured below. I have a long event to sit through this Saturday, so I'm going to take the socks along to work on.

Socks In Progress

I've finished one and have cast on for the next!

I've been added to the Knitting Bloggers Ring!!!

I was excited to be added to the Knitting Bloggers Web Ring yesterday! It is wonderful that so many members of the ring have stopped by my site. I'm having fun working my way around the ring and hope to spend time reading each blog. I can't believe how many other knitting bloggers are out there!

My third socks are coming along nicely in Knit Picks Simple Stripes, storm. One sock is done except for the kitchener stitch at the toe, but as there are only eight stitches remaining, it won't take long. This pair of socks is simple, just some ribbing for a cuff and the rest is in stocking stitch. I am making them for me!

Speaking of Knit Picks, I received the May 2006 catalog today. As I didn't even know they did a print catalog it was a nice surprise! I'm definitely going to try more of their sock yarns. I also plan to try their 'Main Line' yarn for some sweaters in The Knitting Experience 3: Color, a book already in my knitting library. I think the 'Shine' worsted yarn sounds interesting, too. Does anyone have experience with it?

I'll be sure to post a picture of my latest socks soon. Happy knitting everyone!

Secret Gift Project Revealed

I can finally reveal pictures of the secret gift project I was making a few weeks ago. It is the puppy booties from Simply Knitting, Issue #13!



I used Plymouth Encore Knitting Worsted Weight in color 4843, which I now refer to as "chocolate lab brown"!

My Butterfly Garden

I put in a butterfly garden last year and the plants really took off this week with all the rain we've been having. Here's a pic from yesterday during a lull in the rain.

Ribbed Socks Finished!

Here is a pic of the completed socks:

Ribbed Socks Progress

The ribbed socks are coming along well! I'm not sure if you can tell from this picture, but the leg and the top of the foot are worked in K2,P2 ribbing. One sock just needs to have the toe stitched as you can see here:

I am currently knitting the foot part of the matching sock. I have to get it done this weekend, because I have decided to give them to my mother for her birthday next week!

Ribbed Socks

A couple of days ago I cast on for these ribbed socks:

The stripes are lining up nicely!

I'm still here!

I am nearly done with the secret gift I am working on. I wish I could share pics today, but I have to wait until it has been received. I'm getting tired of working on the same thing and will be casting on something new very soon, so check back soon for details!