Signs of the Apocalypse

Well, maybe not really, but today was a surprising day. I actually entered a Yarn Shop, returned four skeins of yarn, and DID NOT buy more yarn!!!!! Mr. Engineer is completely shocked. I'm rather surprised, but not shocked. I know how large the stash has become.

The return was because I did not need all the yarn I purchased for the Roundabout Leaf Tank from Knitting Nature. I finished the tank in early July, but didn't get around to returning the extra until today. Here are picks of the tank blocking and on me.

Project: Roundabout Leaf Tank from Knitting Nature.
Yarn: Takhi Cotton Classic (5 skeins)
Needles: US 7
Notes: A fun and challenging knit. This went together much more quickly than I expected. I do wish that I had knit a bit more before joining as I think my "tail" hangs too close to center. I modified the pattern by picking up stitches for the straps in the front and in the back and grafting at the back. I think that looks cleaner and more consistent. Okay, so I hate seaming and will do almost anything to avoid it!



Oh, and the sky is blue. It's almost always blue. Bit annoying, if you ask me.

Trekking to the Garden?

Okay, it's lame, but it beats the real story. All my trekking of late has been to work. Since I can't take pictures at work, this is the next best thing. Here is the first sock of my second pair reclining on one of my Anaheim Pepper plants. This is another pair for Mr. Engineer. It has taken three tries to get to this point. Luckily for me, Mr. Engineer's feet are not as long as one would expect for his height. Unluckily, he has a high instep and that makes fitting socks a challenge. The pattern is the Gentleman's Fancy Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks. Great pattern and it looks really good in Trekking #69. I'm not sure that I will have enough yarn, so these socks may not be finished by Labor Day.

I did finish my "little something." My sense of humor is also quirky enough to really enjoy that I was blocking my first alpaca shawl during the commercial breaks of the Dirty Jobs episode in which Mike shears an alpaca!

Project: Flower Basket Shawl from Fibertrends

Fiber: Frog Tree 100% Alpaca Wool Fingering Weight

Needles: Addi Turbos in US 6

Notes: Quick knit and beautiful pattern. This was my first experience with alpaca and it won't be the last. It's sooooo soft. The lace blocked well and looks lovely. I hope the recipient enjoys it. The color is actually a bit darker and that shows in the blocking shot.

Saturday, Oh! Saturday!

I completely missed last Saturday. Hmmm, that must have something to do with all the craziness at work. Norma described it as "sprouting horns" and that is an apt description here. It must be all the heat. It's making everyone crazy on the freeway and in the office.

We did get out two Saturdays ago to the county fair:

It was hot, but not as hot as it was the week before. The cloud cover kept things from getting too nasty until they burned off. Today, our skies are back to their normal cloudless blue:

Knitting has been progressing, but also frustrating. I've cast on for two different pairs three times each and one needs yet another ripping. The other pair is going well (which in this case means, if they don't fit the intended recipient, they are being gifted to someone else). I did finally photograph my latest completed socks. These are the first pair that I've knit for Mr. Engineer. He seems impressed, but is waiting until it is cooler to give them a real try.

Pattern: Gentleman's Sock in Lozenge Pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks, by Nancy Bush

Yarn: Wildfoote by Brown Sheep Company, Inc., in Gunsmoke (which is more gray in person than the blue shown in the photo)

Needles: US 0 dpns

Notes: Fabulous socks! I will admit to tiring of the pattern by the end of the second sock, but this was my first set of men's socks. I'm just glad that Mr. Engineer's feet aren't longer.

Saturday Sky...On Saturday!!!

The vacation is winding down. Young Man specifically requested that we NOT go swimming today. He seems to be a little waterlogged. This is the view out of my in-laws' back door: Blue skies and cat tails.

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.