I've been kinda busy

That's my excuse for not blogging lately. To prove it I have a few pictures to show what I've been doing.

First a finish that's been a long time coming.

It's called Traditional Elegance II and as far as I can tell it's no longer in print. It's done in all silks, Wildflowers and soie d'Alger and the gold is Japan thread with a few gold beads thrown in. I don't want to think about how long this took me to finish, but it's been a few years. I actually got everything but the Japan thread and beads in last year and have been slowly working on that part. 

There are three couples at church having babies. I decided to do a little knitting for them. I have one sweater done for one of them, and finished this for another that is due in June.

I love the detail on this one and the pattern is very simple. Plus it was raglan top down so no real seaming! Not to wait and find out if the baby is a girl or a boy so I can put buttons on it.

I also started a new hat for myself. I'm using yarn from my stash, so I feel good about that. Plus it's in fingering weight, so I might get to wear it in April at Stitches South if the weather is cool...and I finish it.

I took this picture the other night, I'm actually a little further along and switched to the larger needles and added stitches to make the poofy part that I love about this one. It looks very much like a Monet painting I think.

Finally I've been trying to work on my Sapphire Nelly. It seems I put in 10 rows and take out 5. Still it's getting a little larger, very slowly.

Plus there's been some actual going to work happening. Not to mention since my current contract ends at the end of the month I've been talking to headhunters and getting my resume out and even had an interview. I've also been reading. Thought I'd reread Emma and am taking my time with it so I can really enjoy it. It's been awhile since I've read it and am discovering some parts I didn't remember. I'm also doing some reading for church and some fun reading.

I think spring might even been here soon, so I've got to find the energy to get things ready to plant my tomatoes and peppers and the like soon. Need to get some herbs too. Maybe plant some oregano with my tomatoes. Yummy.

Until next time!

I present some finishes

Finally something to show for all the work I've been doing.

I found the right size of dpn's to complete the knitting of "the hat". I love the colors and I just know it will be so cute when I get around to doing the felting part. I need to felt a couple of other things, so I may have a "day of felting" soon. I just love how this pattern, from Pick Up Sticks, does the brim. Even though it looked like a really simple pattern, it did teach me a new technique, so I was really happy with that. Making the "tuck" is really cool and I think when it felts will really add to how it is shaped.

Second, I finally have a picture of my completed Monkey socks!!!!! Made from Jitterbug in the Jay colorway, I just love these. If there weren't so many other sock patterns I want to try I'd probably sit down and make another pair of these. When I was making them I wasn't quite sure if I'd have enough to make 6 repeats of the lace pattern on the leg, and when I measured it on my leg I wasn't sure I wanted the socks to be quite that high, so I did change the pattern and did only 4 patern repeats. Works wonderfully on me, so I'm happy. This was also my first experience with Jitterbug and I really liked working with it. It's got a great feel. This skein was a gift from my dear friend Jill, but I'm sure I'll be purchasing more in the future.

Finally I leave you with a glimpse of the socks I'm working on for the Harry Potter Sock Exchange. My pal is in Ravenclaw and I finally recieved my yarn on Friday. I sat down and started right away, so you see a bit of where I've gotten to. I have hit a snag. I had designed something to do at this point in the socks, but it appears I miscounted. (Really I do know how to count, but sometimes....) anyway, I've had to go back to the drawing board, so to speak and no progress can be made until I figure out what I want to do. The yarn is Louet Gems and I think it's very appropriate for Ravenclaw colors. Notice I went with the movie colors as my pal said she didn't care either way and I love the silvery color with the blue best. I really hope she likes them.

Speaking of the HP Sock Exchange, I've had an idea for a little extra something for my pal as she's an avid reader. I'm hoping to have a prototype made this weekend. If so, I'll post a picture and see what you all think.