Summer is for socks

As if I don't have enough projects on my needles, I cast on a new one. I got an incredible urge to knit socks--so I did (one anyway).

The pattern is My Cup of Tea free on Ravelry. I love tea, these socks, and things that are free. I'm using the Cascade 220 fingering from my Roxborough Dolman that I didn't like. I know, I know, there is no nylon in this yarn but I don't really like the feeling of it for a top. So far, I'm happy with it for socks. Which is good, since I have plenty. I'm working on the second one right now, and finding them rather compulsive!

Happy knitting friends!

Sewing

I am, by no stretch of the imagination, a seamstress. In fact, I think I'm rather terrible at sewing. And yet. And yet I just keep on doing it. In the last few weeks I've had two sewing projects, some pillow covers, and a basket liner.

I bought those blue pillows in Australia......for very little money. They were great, until they were worn out. I used the previous covers as a guide, and I did put zippers in so they would look neater than an envelope pillow. They got better as I went along, so that by #3 I was rather pleased with how the pillow looked. I bought this fabric at JoAnn's on sale, and I really wish they had the exact same but with a different color flower pattern. I've got a few more pillows to recover (yes, we have a ridiculous amount of pillow on our huge couch). I'm also toying with the idea of knitting a few. Like I don't have enough to knit right now!

So this is my computer desk--covered in two different knitting patterns, a tape measure, and a knitting project on the left that is currently hibernating. I barely turn the computer on it seems.

Speaking of knitting, the next project was a basket liner--specifically for knitting. I have quite a few baskets for my WIP's. I do love baskets. This one in particular isn't a very nice one, I bought it on clearance at Michael's for a Christmas present that didn't happen. It is sort of rough and I don't want it snagging any of my projects. I did an internet search for a pattern, and then sort of cobbled it together.

I couldn't be bothered sewing a tie, I just hate to turn them right-side out. So I used ribbon instead, and it works just fine. I used some stash fabric from when the girls were little. They haven't seen it yet, but I'm sure when they do they will try to steal this. I should have known better than to use pink........

And that's all for now. I've cast on yet another knitting project (socks!), which is ridiculous but such is life. One day, I'll finish one of the projects I'm working on. I'm still loving the Grandpa Cardigan (in the picture above), but I've got a while yet to get to 15" in length. Take care, happy crafting!

WIP's

Hello all. What's up with this May Michigan weather? It is June 1st and I'm worried it might freeze tonight. Not cool Mother Nature, not cool. I got a little excited and planted a bit too early, and now I've got to be an eagle eye on the weather. I can't lose another tomatillo plant, I just can't.

I've got several WIP's right now, and I'm feeling pretty good about them all. First, I'm chugging along on my Grandpa Cardigan. It is my first pattern by Joji Locatelli, and I'm excited because I like so many of her patterns.

Yeah, it sort of matches the floor, sorry about that

I hit a roadblock a while back and ripped the whole thing out and started over. I'm glad I did, since when I joined the back and sides I noticed they were on different rows. I fixed that the second time around and I'm MUCH happier.

I started on Rori's Britania. I'm using Berroco Vintage DK. It is my TV knitting right now, though last night I was so tired I knit a round of the wrong row. Why is it you always figure that out at the END of the row? I'm knitting this the same as Isla's (sleeveless) but I've gone up a needle size because she is a squinch bigger than her sister. These girls are growing like weeds.  

So are the feathered girls:

Lastly, I'm working on a Sweet Summer Shawl. It was my original TV knitting until Rori asked me to get started on her Brittania. I'll admit, she had to nag me because I'm digging this shawl. It is pretty and blue and easy, I like it. I'm using Bendigo Woolen Mills 4 ply in the colorway lake.

So that's what I'm working on at the moment. I'm enjoying each of the projects. Thanks for stopping by! One last picture, taken a few days ago. 

 Gratuitous dog picture. Have a great week!