Pumpkin Sunrise

Okay technically we are not even close to spring.  But it did feel very springlike on my walk today with Frodo.  I am getting quite skillful at taking photos while restraining a dog.  I am lucky the dog is only 14 pounds.  My exertion is minimal, right? Here are the simple socks that I knit for my husband.   Cascade Heritage Paints sock yarn is simply the best.  I bought this skein while visiting my sister last last year.  I will definitely be buying more of this brand.  I did make a pair for my son and so far the socks are holding up quite well to the machine washing.  I am also proud to report that I have not accidentally tossed them into the dryer........yet.  It has happened in the past no matter how mindful I think I am.

I snapped this photo the day before Valentine's day.  It was early in the morning and I was getting the paper with Frodo and managed to take one good picture while walking the dog.  He is not the patient sort.  The only time he is still is when he is in a deep sleep. I am almost done with the second sock, more pictures on another day.  I have put aside the cashmere cardigan until I finish the sock.  It would be nice for my husband to wear them before spring arrives.

It is Wednesday again and Ginny's blog-- Small Things -- is hosting a yarn along.  It is a wonderful way to see what everyone is working on and what they are reading. I am still reading the same book, The Forgotten Garden , and the plot gets better and better.  Maybe, just maybe I will finish this book before next Wednesday.  I am working on a pair of simple plain socks for my husband.  The pattern is my own loosely based on an old Stahl knitting pattern.  I think I could knit this sock pattern in my sleep.

So yesterday I was thinking I want to knit a sweater for me.  I have about four or five hand knitted ones that I wear frequently that are at a finer gauge.  I have not worn a worsted weight cardigan for quite some time.  I cannot say why, I guess I am not in the mood?  We are probably going to have cold weather at least one more month. That is a perfect excuse to make a sweater.  In my stash I have this lovely cashmere fingering weight yarn that I am itching to knit up.   I went on Ravelry to search for a pattern and boy did I find a really pretty one!   Mountain View Cardigan  looks so elegant.  Today I balled up the yarn.  Now to start a swatch gauge and hope that I can keep my dream of pairing this yarn with this pattern.  Tune in.......

I finished the Citron shawl  two days ago.  I blocked it one day ago.  So far I am not feeling the love and I think I know why.  I think for my tastes, it is slightly too small.  Unfortunately I only had one hank of yarn and could not make a bigger size.  I loved working with Knit Picks Shadow .  The half circle shape does not appeal to me as much as the rectangular shape.  So I guess it is my personal taste.  The pattern was fun to knit and very easy to follow. The ruching feature is beautiful.

Today is the yarn along at Ginny's blog- Small Things .  It is always wonderful to see what people are knitting for the week! Well as you can guess, I am still reading The Forgotten Garden .  I only read at night these days and when I do I usually fall asleep.  I really like the book and the storyline is interesting.  So here is a photo of what I whipped up in two days.  I wanted to make a hat in one day but that was a bit unrealistic for me.  The hat is for my husband who has been wearing store bought headbands or hats.  I thought it was time he had a "real" hat made of wool.  What could possibly be warmer?

So, I finished this sweater for my son two days ago.  I did not bury any threads because I was thinking that maybe it will not fit in the shoulders.  I do not know what this was my worry for the weekend.  DS was out of town for a band festival and was not coming home until Saturday.  So once we went to the concert, which was very nice and since my son is a senior in high school this is the very last ever band festival concert.....ever.  No more spending 1-2 hours driving in a car to some high school that is hosting the festival. We have been going to music festivals for seven years since our daughter was in band as well.  Oh yeah, so once we went to the concert and listened and drove back home, he HAD to try on the sweater!  He thinks I am crazy.  The shoulders did fit.  I just had to take back the neckband three or four rows and cast off again because he wanted a very short neckline.