Dye Day Revisted

Several of the dye day participants brought their yarn to the guild meeting tonight. It is always amazing to see the difference drying makes.


Nova used Raspberry, Deep Pink and Desert Rose for her handpaint.

Millie used Terra Cotta, Slate and Deep Violet for hers.

Eliza used Turquoise, Turkey Red and Pumpkin.
I finally blocked the Summit Shawl. Only in blocking does it show its' true beauty. I've been showing it off today but the pictures will have to wait until mom returns from Las Vegas.


I was seriously considering not making the other two that I bought the yarn for but the red silk will be the next in line.

I am almost finished with the front of the Circles and Butterflies sweater. I am having fun with this project and loving the results. I can't wait to dive into the stash for the next design. I'm finally going to be able to use some of the yarn that I couldn't find the right pattern to knit. Next I'm going to have to devote some serious time to the Master Knitting program.

Sunshine

This evening I finished the 4th pair of Cookie A socks, Sunshine. Another easy pattern to memorize and knit. I don't know why I thought I might run out of yarn because I had plenty to spare.




Specs:
Pattern: Sunshine from Sock Innovation by Cookie A
Yarn: Trekking Undyed dyed with Pro Chem One Shot Dyes Cornflower
Needles: 1.5 / 2.5 6-inch dpn's from Knit Picks
Started: June 1, 2009 Finished: June 17, 2009
Mods: I knitted four repeats of the pattern on the legs. I like my socks longer in the calf than most of her patterns suggest. This pattern is quick to knit. I was held up by Vacation Bible School last week and didn't get much done. I was unable to capture the true color of this yarn. The closest I came was the first picture I posted earlier this month.

I made my regular check on the garden today and found several tomatoes just beginning. I was worried that they might not set since I had this problem once before. The lone cucumber is growing. Still lots of blooms but no other cucumbers. I picked the first banana pepper today with one lone pepper remaining and lots of blooms.

We walk around the campus at work and often check on the two gardens planted on the grounds. One has huge cucumbers which should have been picked, lots of smaller cucumbers and tomatoes. The other has tomatoes and baby watermelons. They both have other vegetables planted that have just begun to bear. We work on a fairly large property with lots of green space. I wish we could plant gardens around the property. I think the only issue would be the excess water usage given the budget constraints that we are currently operating under.

Planting a garden is a wonderful experience especially for children. I always let my nieces and nephews help pick the vegetables when they are visiting and they love it. It gives me the opportunity to explain how things grow and how we get our food. When Isaiah stayed the weekend last month we planted tomatoes and flowers. He is always amazed and full of questions so it provided a great opportunity for teaching. Last year he picked tomatoes and this year he'll have the chance to pick a variety of vegetables. If you get the chance try it. You might be amazed yourself.

Br-r-r-r

I'm normally not one to wait for natural light to take pictures. My photography skills are nothing to brag about, but the hat and scarf begged for just the right condition. I finally got around to blocking them Thursday night and realized that the crown could have been a little less full, but overall I'm pleased with the set and I'm sure Nicole will enjoy it.



I was going for an artsy shot, alas the wind was not cooperating. It's been bitterly cold all day and I'm sure it's even colder in Charlotte so I'm anxious to get this to her.

I also got out my dye pot for some dyeing experiments. Nothing major at this time given the breathing issues. I've purchased a lot of natural colored fingering weight skeins when the lys has been having sales with the sole purpose of dyeing them. This round I'm using Lanett Superwash 100% Merino. It's been a pain in the ass to wind them into hanks and I didn't tie them tight enough prior to putting them in the pot so I'll have a mess on my hands in the morning.


In the good news department, I'm knitting the left front of the Skyline Jacket. Tomorrow is a holiday for the state and I hope to have it finished by then. After that its' miles of garter stitch trim and finally another FO 2008. I'm picking out the next projects and for now I think I'll stick to cardigans with the flakey weather we have around here that may be the best option.

I still have some hats to make for the boys. The first one will be one for me. The Strudel by Woolly Wormhead. Vera has done several styles and the Strudel is my favorite. Even though I haven't made any of the hats, I highly recommend "Going Straight - A New Generation of Knitted Hats". The tutorials alone are worth the purchase price and it comes in three versions.