Knitting is such a joy to me. At times challenging, even despairing sometimes, but always a joy. Any creative endeavor has it’s ups and downs in activity and August tends to be the start of my most inspired knitting. I’d started the blue scarf just before we left for Maine, intending to finish it quickly and enjoy it thoroughly this fall. It’s been shoved aside by the Haruni shawl which I started on the 10th. The scarf was enjoyable, but the shawl grabbed me by the collar and demanded my attention. I haven’t rushed at knitting it, just put in time when I had a bit of time to spare.

I finished it last night. It’s not blocked, nor the ends woven in (two, so no big job), but I just love the finished product.

Unblocked, so it’s small and lumpy, but the rough shape is there and I can see how lovely it’s going to be once it’s blocked (tonight). It’s 14″ down the center and 19″ across the tips. It should grow by a good 25-40% once blocked. I could block it straight across the top but I like the curved look and it’ll be wrapped around my neck anyways.

I’ll be using it as a scarf this fall/winter. I tend to wear v-neck shirts and my favourite winter sweater/coat is a v-neck as well and scarves don’t cover my exposed skin very well. This, worn with the point in the front and wrapped like a scarf, will do just that.

I think it’s beautiful, and I love that I can create such beautiful things.

ps. Victor: “It look just like a sea creature!”

Edit: Blocking now. 22″ down the center and 28″ across the top tips. It’ll relax a bit once it’s off the pins, but not by much. It’s a tad smaller than the designer’s finished product, but lace is very individual (plus I used smaller needles). Right now our office smells like wet dog and every one of those little loops around the edge has a pin in it (that’s a lot of pins!). Good thing I’m so pleased with the results

My yarn arrived today (3 days earlier than tracking said!!!) and I’m completely gobsmacked with one of the two yarns I ordered. I intend to make a light lace shawl for myself using a lovely heathered grey yarn. The photo I took doesn’t quite cover the depth of the colour – the camera doesn’t pick up all the tones that are there, but it’s a lovely yarn. I’ll be making it into a Haruni shawl (exactly like this one because it’s gorgeous – same yarn btw).

That’s not the yarn that has me entranced, though.

Again, the camera doesn’t pick up all the tones and heathered shades. There’s a whole depth of colour that *you* can’t see but it’s SO THERE. The pic I took makes it a bit lighter than it is, too. Imagine a heaping pile of blue sapphires and then look right into the heart of it, with light and dark tones and refractions of blue everywhere. That’s how awesome this yarn is. I’m going to design a scarf for myself using it – something lightweight and long and (hopefully) stylish while still showing my admiration for classic lace. I’m going to get started on it right now!

Today started off rainy – nice because rainy days tend to mean more quiet and relaxing than otherwise.

The peak of summer, which we normally have the last two weeks of July and the first week or two of August has already passed and was barely a blip on the temperature radar (drastic change from other years). We sleep at night and can leave the house open all day to let lovely breezes blow through. Naturally my instincts are telling me to start knitting – I seem to have an innate ability to prepare for the cooler temperatures with advance knitting desires. I’m already planning my projects and right now trying to get done a top for myself (summer top, ah well) to free up needle-space for other knitting. I’ve yarn being shipped for a lovely shawl and another scarf, and then I’ll be picking up more cold weather things like hats and mittens and sweaters for the boys. I love knitting season!

Yesterday I put up 4 pint jars of tomatoes. Not a huge amount, to be sure, but it’s something…. and nice. Kinda sucks that we’ll be gone and there’ll be foods from the garden we won’t eat (but others will, so all’s not lost), but I’m glad we’re going.

Today’s also the last day of rest before the travel-crazy-busy starts. There’s the more intensive planning and clothes washing and packing and organizing to do.

It’s going to be a blast, our trip to Maine. The weather looks beautifully perfect, the bugs shouldn’t be too bad (Maine being notorious for black flies), the only day of rain will be the day we head into Boston to visit the big aquarium for E’s birthday (hopefully). The boys are going to *love* the beach, I just know it. Ken worries they’ll get bored after a few days and I think he’s batty because seriously. How do you get bored of the beach? Sandcastles and rock collecting and splashing in the waves and flying kites and there’s places to walk and see and souvenirs and playgrounds… plus sleeping in a tent at night with the whole family. It’s going to be awesome.

This past weekend we went up to NY to spend with family. Weather was hoT but we managed. Victor, skin sensitive that he is, got a horrible heat rash and his lower back and scalp are covered in itchy, bumpy welts – they’re getting better, though, and should be gone in a few days.

I’m craving lace. I don’t know if it’s a time of year thing or that I’m floundering in what to knit right now (working on a few baby hats for a shower, but my interest is waning. have a few projects for me but they aren’t inspiring me either). I do have a lace stole that’s been on a far-back-burner for a long time, that I could pick up again…. maybe. This shawl is inspiring me right now…

Garden is doing great, though we desperately need rain. Deer didn’t eat too much of it (instead, feasted on the hostas again leaving little else but stems). I need to harvest the rest of the beets and turnips and replant them, but soooo hotttT.

Whine.

I know I’ve been quiet. I’m sick with a wretched cold wherein I ran out of tissues right at the start, several days before grocery day, so I was blowing my nose (every 2 minutes or so) with TP and now my nose is all raw (despite liberal application of my balms) and I’m still sick and I *feel* sick. I just want to curl up under a blanket and sleep all day for a week.

Sadly, Mommy’s aren’t allowed to get sick, especially not the Stay-At-Home ones who’ve got laundry and dinners and children to manage (at the very least). I’ve also got some knitting that needs to be done post-haste and I haven’t enough time, I fear.

This weekend we got the broom planted, and I’d show you pictures but it’s rainy. And I’m concerned that my tomatoes have thrips (little bug that carries virii) and are all going to die. The positive side of not being able to grow tomatoes for a few years (if it ends up I need to do so) will be I can try growing all sorts of different hot peppers (since they’re doing fine).

Ken thinks I worry too much and they were just out too early and are being wimps. I hope he’s right.

I planted eggplant and pepper seeds almost 2wks ago. Last night I went searching for what happened last year – to see how long it took for sprouts to appear. 2-4wks is what they *should* take, under ideal conditions (which I don’t provide since I don’t want the office set at 85F). Today, I found…

There’s 3 of them, that I can find. They’ve already grown from when I first caught them this morning. I’m a happy gardener.

2nd green thing today is my Elemental skirt, so named because the bottom pattern is a leaf pattern (earth), the 2nd pattern is a candle flame pattern (fire), the 3rd looks like gusty wind to me, and the last will be a wavy pattern (water).

I’ve tried it on, and I maybe should have made it bigger but blocking will definitely help that so it’s hard to say. Either way I love the colour and it’s enjoyable, if taking a while. I’m about halfway done, and it seems I’ll have lots of yarn leftover for something else; all of which makes me a happy knitter.

Yep.  Another gift certificate to my favourite yarn source means another slew of projects to work on (not that I’m completely done with other WIP – work’s-in-progress – but this is about inspiration! and I’m inspired to work on the new ones NOW).

I know you want to see…

will become…

(which is much cuter, closer up, and will be longer in the waist since I don’t show my navel off to just anyone (anymore) and won’t have the tie.)

(which uses up some extra from my “Florida Tank top” last winter) will become…

but not a dress – shorter, as a long tank/tunic type top.  Pink replaced with the purple, tan with the yellow, darker brown with the green.  Not that I didn’t like the original colours – they’re really pretty – but I don’t do pink.

will become…

(the yarn looks kinda dull in that image and it’s really not – a nice bright, light green called, appropriately, Honey Dew)  (also the skirt img isn’t the best but it’s the best I can show you).

I’m not willing to pay for the whole book for the skirt, when it’s the only design in the book I like, so I’ll be deconstructing the design and winging it.  Shouldn’t be too hard, and it’s soooo pretty!!

From what I did last year…
1. Built a garden and grew food.

2. Went to Disney Land (without children *gasp* bad mommy!).

3. Expanded our family by 3 (cats).

4. Knitted… a lot (more than accessories – actual clothes!).

5. Got locked out of the house, in winter, with Ethan, by Victor.

That I plan to do this year…

1. Bake as much of our bread as I can.

2. Fine tune the garden plan (make trellises).

3. Exercise more (and drag Ken with me).

4. Finish painting (Ethan’s room, play room.
5. Try my hand at canning (without poisoning us).

Ken’s plans…

1. Get in shape/improve health.
2. Move trees.

3. Start to move mountain.

4.  Make things with wood from last spring.

5.  Work on hobbies (make beer, collect rpg’s, etc)

Kelly’s additional…

6. Convince Ken that his #3 should be done by professionals, despite cost therein, and not by us since it’ll never get done.

I’ve had several requests for the pattern for my Christmas stockings I made last year, so I finally got my butt in gear and made one.  (I’ll link it soon – I’m sorting out font licensing.)
Also, Victor’s vest is finished.  If I could find turtleneck shirts he’d be wearing one, but I can’t so…

He’s just so cute!

Ethan’s will be done as soon as I tie in threads.  I can’t wait to see them both, together!

Edit: well, not together but both vests are done, w00t!

now I just need to find shirts to go underneath that, y’know, match in some manner.

Oh how I love saying those words.  I finished the early Christmas present for Gab (Ken’s co-worker).  I hope they fit her well and that she likes them.  They’re alpaca so they’re super light, super warm and super soft.  I love that stuff!

The Yarn Fairy left a present on my doorstep yesterday (thankfully Ken found it else it’d still be outside!).

(Ethan’s Brainmonster Hat & Mittens) is highest priority.

(Jess’ Vest – once she tells me what size to make!)

(My hat & mittens)

and

this will be vests for the boys.

Here’s the next while of knitting goals:

The hat’s finished, and one mitten (minus the thumb) is done and I need.to.get.it.finished.  If only to gain closure and start up something new.

This is going to become one of these for Jess:

(didn’t know i could knit little children, huh… this one will be a girl, I think, given the pink)

This, plus some mittens, for Ethan (in red, naturally)

These, in cream and dark green, for me with a matching hat (I’ll have to make up the pattern for both since I only have a picture to work from).

These for Victor’s birthday (maybe, I’m starting to think he doesn’t deserve a birthday, little … boy!).

These for my holiday ornaments project… they’ll be in whatever sizes/colours since it’ll all be scrap yarn/leftover bits.

Also, possibly in amongst those projects, will be various socks for my boys.  I’m 1/4th through a pair for Ken, with a pair for Ethan about to be started as soon as I finish something more (any more than 3 or so active projects at once is too much for me).

It’s been ages, but I’ve finally made myself another pair of socks.  Plain Jane pattern, but I changed needle type (bamboo to metal) right after the heel and it altered the gauge *just* enough that the stripe pattern got all wonky.  I like it.  Makes them interestinger.

(It’s hard to grasp the colours in those photos but they’re forest green, a lovely deep berry red and orange.)

Next I need to finish a hat/mittens set for one of Ken’s co-workers, then it’ll be either socks for Ethan or a hat/mittens depending on when some new yarn gets here.  I’m making him a monster hat!  Stay tuned for further details…

(oh, and the crazy from last week?  hormones.  I’m getting pretty annoyed at them, honestly.  I’m not crazy.  Really, I’m not!)

Yes.  Actually I’ve been rather busy on that front, but just lazy about sharing.   Today I finished up a cute little vest that I think will be a regular wardrobe item.  It’s warm (50% alpaca, 50% wool), it doesn’t have sleeves (which tend to get in the way when I cook), it’ll match almost every long-sleeved shirt I own, and it’s pretty and flattering.  I’m very pleased.

And warm.  Did I mention that part?  Apparently I was losing a lot of heat before since it rather feels like my torso is wrapped in an electric blanket.

My next big goal (after the little things like hats, mittens, socks, etc) is this:

Isn’t it fantastic!!??  I’ve seen it in every colour imaginable, as well as different colours for the flowers (they’re done separately and applique’d on) and different colours for the flowers *and* vines (stranded work – doable, but difficult on such a large piece) and every time it looks fantastic.  I can’t wait (though will have to because the yarn alone will set me back around $75).  I’m planning on lining it, which’ll be a new experience  for me, too.  That’s all down the road, though.  Still.  *Love* that I knit!

I’ve, yet again, strained my wrist – worse this time as I can hardly type (even wrapped), can’t knit (AAAGHRGH!) and feel completely useless.

It’s been raining, daily, for.ever.  Rain, I don’t tend to mind except when it prevents me from establishing the garden beds I’ve been planning towards for months.  I’m due to plant seeds in.the.beds this weekend and the beds aren’t even made yet nor soil delivered because… rain.  If you are, please stop doing your rain dance just for a few days?  Please?

Ethan is starting to learn to read.  He’s known his letters and their individual sounds for a long time now, and we’ve taught him about stringing the sounds together to make words.  We’ve had Dr. Seuss’ Hop on Pop for a while and he’s not really been that interested.  I brought it out for story time last night and *click* went the bulb and *zoom* went Ethan with it.  He was totally doing it!  ALL, FALL, WALL, TALL, SMALL.

It’s still the first step on the road to reading and, being an avid reader myself, this excites me beyond words.