The Skies are Blue, the Lake is Warm, Trekking is Good

I'm very late getting my Saturday Sky picture up. We had some technical difficulties getting the cameras to speak with my computer and then the wireless is not always up. Considering that it is a VACATION, we are not complaining when we are disconnected.

First, the sky on Saturday was gorgeous:

Next, the fishing has been very good. Young Man has been speaking of virtually nothing but fishing for weeks (or months). This is an early catch (Perch for those interested in these things). He also won the resort fishing contest by catching 30 fish in about 40 minutes.

It has been stinky, stupid hot this week, so the hiking has been on hold. However, the Trekking has been great! My pair is now finished. When we return home, Mr. Engineer's pair will begin. I've also finished one cotton tank, but it is too hot to wear. I did wear my new Roundabout Leaf Tank on a trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Pattern: Melanie's Twist

Yarn: Trekking #66

Needles: US 1 dpns

Notes: Wonderful pattern that works very well with the Trekking yarn. I can't say enough good things about this fiber. I love my new socks! The picture does not do them justice.

The Skies at 38,000 Feet

My Saturday Sky picture is a little late. I'm sure you'll understand. It took a while to get the picture transferred to the correct computer and get everything configured. Tomorrow's quest is to get out of Amazing Threads without too much damage to the credit card.

Blue Skies, Nothing but Blue Skies

The Saturday Sky is blue here, no clouds in sight. It is also hot. Oh, and the apples need to be picked and I should probably spend some time with the gourd plants.

Wait, There's More!

Not only did I finish up some knitting, the recent break from blogging coincided with the end of Young Man's Third Grade School Year. He finished up in grand style with a great report card and a certificate of promotion to fourth grade. His school always puts on a great end of year program. This year they performed "Pinafore Pirates" and Young Man was a British Police Officer. My contribution was a set of 14 sprite hats. This was certainly less ambitious than last year's Dreamcoat, but it was still a challenge given than I had very little time upon my return from Boston. The hats were a success and they transformed the Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten boys into adorable sprites.

Somehow, I managed to squeeze in one more gift for the best third grade teacher ever. This one transformed a standard clipboard into something special. Given all the hand knits that she received this year, the sheep seemed the only logical choice. She really is a fantastic teacher and we are very glad that we had a year with her!

Now it is onto fourth grade! Well, onto camp and then fourth grade! Today was Scientist Dress-up day. Young Man turned in a grand performance and even borrowed one of my old chemistry textbooks to finish out the part. Ah, Summer!

Bring On the Hand Knits!

It has been busy few weeks here at Chez Engineer. After the big Boston trip, there were many things waiting for attention. The big news is that two finished objects are now in my wardrobe.

First, we have some new socks!
Pattern: Plain 3x1 rib with 1x1 cuff.
Yarn: Fortissima Cotton Colori in some variegated colorway picked up on a $3/ball sale. Yes, $3 socks!!!
Needles: US 1 dpns
Notes: Very easy, almost mindless lunchtime knitting. The cotton is beautifully comfortable for summer and these go well with jeans. They also wash very well. Even if this hadn't been a terrific steal for the yarn, I would love these socks, but the bargain makes them even sweeter.

Next up is Aran Rose Peach. Yes, it is finished!
Pattern: Aran Rose from the Spring 2006 issue of Interweave Knits
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cotton DK in 13028 (tangerine/peach), approximately 15 balls (maybe a smidgen of the 16th ball was used)
Needles: US 6 Addi Turbos
Modifications: I made the body a little longer because no one wants to see my midrif and I added a bit to the sleeves because I have long arms (in retrospect, I probably shouldn't have added to the sleeves because they will probably stretch). I also added decreases to shape the neck. The model must have had decreases as well (even though they weren't in the pattern). If not, the only way to display the neckline as in the magazine would include the use of safety pins.


Notes: I love this sweater! This is the first full sweater that I have made for myself and it is so comfortable! I got 13 of the balls of this yarn on the same $3/ball sale as the sock yarn. I love Suzoo's Woolworks! The realization that I would need 2-3 more balls was a tough one to accept. This time, DreamWeaver Yarns came to my rescue. They not only had the yarn, but it was in the same dye lot! Debbie Bliss yarns must come in huge dye lots or I got really, really lucky. I didn't even think to ask about lots, but sometimes things go right.

Currently on the needles are the three pairs of socks including the first socks for Mr. Engineer. He is getting a stylish pair of grey wool socks done in the Gentleman's Sock with Lozenge Pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks. Mr. Engineer is still unconvinced about handknit socks, but he did have to admit that they are very nice at the half-way point of the first sock.

Thank you for the comments on the Trekking sock. I have now turned the heel and they look very nice. The pattern is Melanie's Twist and it works very well with the Trekking varigation. My good deed of the Boston trip was to share the pattern (with full credit to the source) with a friendly knitter on the plane home.