Preparing for Summer

The weather here has been in the 90's, hot and muggy. Summertime has arrived! We are making preparations for when school lets out in a few weeks.

Sand toys at the ready

Some beach reading material (my current obsession)

A new clubhouse in need of "paint"

Plymouth Covington in silver

Taking a short break from my current WIP's by swatching for a new summer sweater. Since this cardigan involves an allover lace pattern, I am going to play it safe by washing and blocking out the swatch. It's always so exciting to start on a new project but nothing is more boring than knitting gauge swatches. In the past, I have sometimes gotten away with knitting a few rudimentary inches, measuring for gauge while the stitches were still on the needles and going up or down in needle sizes based on a hunch. It was nothing but pure luck that the finished garments actually fit. Now that I've been burned a few times, especially when it came to row gauge which I never used to bother with, taking proper gauge measurements is a necessary step. And who knows, these dull swatches may even end up as useful objects themselves, as shown here.

Now for something more exciting: new buttons from one of my favorite etsy shops.

Fiona Macneil buttons

 Also, check out these wonderful blogs participating in WIP Wednesday with TAMI'S AMIS.

Momentum

Ribbed lace bolero

Turmeric

Why yes, that is indeed two previously unfinished objects off the needles (though yet to be blocked and modeled). I don't know how this sudden desire to finish things has come about, but I am gladly riding the wave until its inevitable end. My WIP list is now half of what it was in January and may possibly soon be at an all time low of three. Right now, I am working on the second sleeve of the Grapevine pullover that was started last June.

I cannot remember why this was set aside because it is really a great pattern. The yarn (Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy) is very enjoyable to knit with if you like the cool, crisp feeling of linen. The resulting fabric is terrific for spring/summer, besides being nearly indestructible. I am also still plugging away on the never ending garter stitch project which is Stripe Study. Note to self: next project will NOT be a shawl, will NOT have stripes and will NOT consist of garter stitch. Yeah right.

For a variety of interesting projects and blogs, head on over to WIP Wednesday with TAMI'S AMIS. Hope everyone is enjoying a crafty, fun filled week!

A Quiet Moment

Right now, I'm ...

*Contemplating expanding the herb garden and using some fresh rosemary to make this recipe.

*Admiring some yarn candy(skein) and happily dreaming of what they will become.

*Taking advantage of a sudden urge to finish things. Ribbed lace bolero almost ready for seaming and blocking. Still working away on the Stripe Study.

*Dealing with two cases of poison ivy and two very grumpy guys.

*Being thankful for having a quiet, peaceful moment to visit with the talented bloggers participating in WIP Wednesday with TAMI'S AMIS.

FO: Simple Spring Tee

Can you believe that it's May already? This year has just flown by. Even though there wasn't much knitting achieved last week, I did motivate myself enough to finish this simple tee which was started last summer.

It would have been a quick knit if not for my laziness with certain finishing tasks, like sewing seams and picking up stitches for the neckline. But now that it's finished, I'm very excited to be able to wear it and to check off at least one UFO from my list. For more FO Friday fun, go to TAMI'S blog.

A Madcap Wonderful Time

Our trip to Disney World was so much fun! It is truly a magical place despite the crowds and long lines. Our most favorite parts were: the food (as evidenced by an extra 5 pounds gained), the rides (I loved the Haunted House and It's a Small World), the World Showcase at Epcot, and the pool at our hotel with the awesome water slides. But the very best part was spending time together and making happy memories.

I wish I could have bottled up this garden and taken it home. What a lovely knitting spot.

My two guys

The little guy fending off a muffin attack.