Pumpkin Sunrise

My current hitchhiker shawl is the project I take to babysitting since I have the details memorized and I just zip along.  What a comforting knit to do!  I can see why many of my friends in blogland knit this over and over again. The Yoke pullover sweater is my addictive knitting project that I cannot get enough of.  However I cannot read a book nor do much of anything while knitting.  So I listen to a talky-talky show on Netflix or listen to a podcast or just listen to my inner thoughts.  I am keeping with the dark gray contrasting color that I was initially ambivalent about.  (took me three tries to spell ambivalent!!!).  The more color-work that is done the better the dark gray looks to me. What are you working on this week? Joining Ginny

This weekend was fantastic.  First of all I've had a miracle healing after my 'almost but saved' trip in the garage.  I feel unstoppable!  I've had a mind reset and I am extra cautious to slow down .  Why of why am I always in a hurry? Second of all I've started a new top down yoke sweater.  I saw this pattern while doing a search on Ravelry (as one does) and I could not resist.  I bought the burnt orange yarn (the main color) while visiting my sister last fall.  The contrasting colors I originally bought were not super-wash like the main color, so I was ultra lucky to do some online yarn shopping last week to find my colors. The only color that I'm not sure about is the dark gray.  However, I keep knitting because I know I'll know when I have enough rows knitted whether to keep the color or switch it out.  I never mind ripping out and starting over again. Saturday was lots of knitting, finishing a book and going to Mass in the e...

I find it humorous that when I am feeling on top of the world in my physical activity and my dedication to the gym, something humbling happens to reset my confidence.  Yesterday I was in a hurry (always bad) and I tripped over my husband's boots in the garage.  There is an ongoing dispute as to how 'tucked' away they are.  My opinion is if I trip on them they are not tucked away.  Keep in mind these boots have been in the same place for ten years, you would think I would learn.. The good news is I did NOT fall nor did I sprain any delicate ankles.  Also my back is fine.  The bad news is I stumbled and pulled my right back leg muscle that just aches.  Good grief.  I'm hoping this is a quickly resolved strain/sprain since I already feel a lot better this morning.  And I never did take any pain medicine last night.  However it's a slow going day.  Watch where you walk people!  The winds were blustery yesterday and ...

I finished another sweater!  I feel super productive when I think about my knitting.  This design was a fun quick knit and I'm already thinking of what I could knit next with some 'vintage' yarn in my stash. I took a wild guess with gauge when I chose to use size eight needles instead of size 10 and cast on the bigger size.  Lucky for me the sweater fits perfectly and now I know I can do another sweater the same way.  This yarn I bought at a garage sale for peanuts.  I love when a family member clears out someone's yarn stash and doesn't know the value.  I bought a huge bag of wools for $8.  Incredible. Looks like winter is returning and then I can wear my cardigan without being hot.  Ravelry notes

This weekend had brilliant sunshine! I've mentally bottled it up and will remember it fondly when we return to cloudiness and rain once more.  How was your weekend? We managed a walk outside in the sun looking for snowdrops blooming and didn't find them yet.  The birds were singing away and the fresh air while cold smelled like spring.  I know, it's too early but it's nice to daydream of light jacket wearing days. I made four washcloths over the weekend and hope to make a few during this week.  I'm just about to start another sweater for me however I am waiting for some contrasting color skeins to arrive in the mail before I cast on.  I'm down to two projects on the needles and both of them are shawls. How was your weekend?

I'm happy to announce that the sun is shining brilliantly today.  Sure it's cold out but those glorious rays uplift my spirits.  This morning I have a few chores to do and then I'm off to the gym.  Once I'm back home I will be working on some watercolor practicing and some knitting. I'm stunned that next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and Lent begins.  Doesn't it seem like we just celebrated Christmas?  I rarely give up a food like I used to when I was a kid.  I remember one Lent my mother gave up smoking (and she was an avid smoker back in the day).  For four days or so the whole family was tortured by her and her unhappiness.  If I'm remembering correctly she went back to smoking and gave up sweets instead, we were all relieved. I used to give up candy but what's funny we didn't have candy in the house, so how was that a sacrifice? Have you noticed the earlier mornings and the later days?  I have and my oh my spring is slowly app...

Overall I am extremely pleased with the pullover that has been on my size four needles forever.  I love how it fits and of course the secret sauce is the little bit of growth that happens with superwash wool after blocking.  It's magic every single time for me! I've had this wool in my stash for a long time waiting for the perfect pattern.  Lately i wonder why I hold onto some skeins for the 'perfect' project and then don't knit with them.  How silly.  I am trying my best to not save yarn and knit with wild abandon! My only concern with the fit, and it's a minor concern is that because it's topdown construction there is no structure on the back of the neck edge and the shoulders droop.  I'm thinking about backstitching that area for some minor foundation. Part of the reason for the droop is the drop shoulder design.  I prefer raglan construction and the droop doesn't happen as much for me.  Again this is minor.  I'm also ...