Finally! Knitting!

rwest81's socks, originally uploaded by TerrapinCreations.

I was a part of a swap on Ravelry, and here are the socks I knit for her. Very quick knit, it took me a total of 2 days. I used the new SWTC book Socks A La Carte 2: Toes up for the toe/heel combo. Check it out; I'm listed as one of the sample knitters! I'll post the photos of the socks soon, I promise!

Processing fleece

After washing this once, I'm now combing it to open the dirt encrusted locks. I'll wash it again, then comb it again. Hopefully it will then be ready to spin. It's a jacob fleece I bought from the DEW Animal Kingdom. I'm planning on donating the yarn back to them. They keep a lot of animals that would otherwise be destroyed, and rely on donations from the public. Sheep are very dirty critters, indeed.

Blueberries and Apricots

This is my donation to the Girl's Talk basket for the Wilton Blueberry Festival. It's done in 50% Merino and 50% Tencel. It was splitty to work with, but other than that, the pattern was awesome. It is Not A Drop, written by Arlene of Arlene's World of Lace. It's reversible, and I loved it. I may make myself one, but wider. Or make a door curtain (regular curtains?) for the daughter. Of course, I'd have to add beads to the end, and while we were at Enchantments for my birthday she expressed much interest in the beaded door hangings. We'll see.
All 25 of my lily plants have poked their heads out of the garden. I can't wait for them to bloom.
Should be an interesting weekend; rain off and on, which will make the humidity unbearable. Hopefully I will be able to make it to the Fiber Frolic on Sunday. Have a great weekend everyone!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Here's my latest item for sale: the chocolate covered strawberries. It's for sale here at my etsy store. It's made from Cascade 220, hand knitted and felted by me. Socks & pencil case are not included.

Come and go with me

I finally sucked it up and finished sewing up my Reversible come and go sweater. Deborah Newton designed it and I fell in love as soon as I saw it. I love the color on this; Cascade 220 for those of you who are wondering; depending on the light the yarn is either gray or lilac. I finished in time, today it's windy and in the 50's. I haven't taken it off yet today. It feels like a big, warm wooly hug. If I modify this at all, I will rip back the button band & button-hole band to redo. They're kinda floppy, not sure what that's about. It could be as easy as the buttons are too heavy and need a stablizer on the back, but the button hole band gaps. Plus, I got all excited when I did them and didn't read the directions all the way thru. The bottom buttons shouldn't be that low, but hey, that's why we knit and make our own. Because it can be a design element and makes it our own.
Speaking of buttons, aren't these FABULOUS! I bought them at Pins & Needles, as soon as I get her permission I will post the lady's name who makes these. She hand makes all her buttons, and I love them. I've got another stashed away for my Sipalu bag that has mother of pearl in it. She's a genius.

In pug news, Bert learned to drive!

Not really! We were waiting for baseball practice to end & DD snapped the shot. She thought it was cute.Happy Mother's Day to everyone out there!
**UPDATE**
The lady who made the buttons is Mary McFarland. You can contact Cheri at Pins & Needles to inquire about the buttons; Mary also does custom orders. You should also ask about her quilted art wall hangings and jewelry.

Goodbye April

We've had a crazy month of April this year when it comes to weather. Snow one day, 80 degrees 2 days later. Today the wind is blowing extremely hard, just getting all the snow out of here. Tomorrow, garden weather. I'm hoping May is a bit more even keeled. At least it's lilac month :).


In spinning news, I finished a skein of 2 ply fingering weight yarn. It's just under 4 ounces, and was dyed by Pippi Knee Socks. The colorway is Lost Sailor. Any of you Deadheads know that's a great song, usually followed immediately by Saint of Circumstance. Anywho, I bought 2 braids of it, and this one has way more yellow in it. The second braid has more of the blues and purples.

I also finished off my second baby surprise jacket. These things are so easy and fun. Done in Jeannee yarn, it's cotton and acrylic so it can be machine washed. The buttons are paw prints, so cool!

Lilac Socks

One of my favorite flowers is lilacs. When I saw this yarn by Cherry Tree Hill, I knew what it would become. These socks are done toe up with a short row heel and a cute picot cuff at the top. These are a very quick knit and so customizable with the color of yarn you choose. Puchase the pattern here:

Supplies needed:

• 1 skein sock yarn
• US # 2 (2.75mm) dpns
• Tapestry needle

This is an easy intermediate pattern. Knowledge of lace and toe up socks needed. Enjoy!