Spring!

Check out the tulips I cut from our yard due to a pending snowstorm that was supposed to lay 6-12 inches of snow on us today-didn't happen. The vase is a beautiful hand blown piece of art made by my husband (I assisted!)


And yet another diplay in a hand blown vase created by my husband.

Bumble Bee pouch

Here is the Bumble Bee Pouch I made today. This one and the Frog Pouch are perfect for putting a gift card in and giving to a friend for birthday's or whatever.

Side View

Early Spring Socks Finished!

Here are the Early Spring Socks, shown with early spring flowers. I love the heel in this pattern. It doesn't require picking up any stitches and it fits and looks good. I used a the tubular bind off which I liked the results but it took me forever to do.
Here again, in the tulips. These socks were done in Knitpicks dancing, with the pattern Early Spring Socks. I used the Turkish cast on but otherwise followed the pattern.

Next MAJOR project-Heere be Dragone shawl

(picture from Aurora Alpaca website)
How about this for a project?! I am not sure how I ran across this pattern but I knew I had to knit it! The pattern chart is 12 pages long and I guess every row is different. You can get your pattern from the designer Sharon Winsauer at Aurora Alpacas. The pattern wasn't on her website the last I looked but you can e-mail her at web2@aurora-alpacas.com . The pattern costs around 12 bucks and she responds right away. She can send it to you in the mail or you can get a version to download.

Anyway, to find the appropriate yarn on a budget. Knit picks shimmer is almost the exact yarn in make-up - alpaca and silk, and weight. Problem is I am afraid the variegation in the yarn will distract from the pattern. So I tried my hand at overdying. I had some left over shimmer from

making my Mother in Law's Clapotis in Turquoise Splendor. I gave the yarn a soak in vinegar and water for about 6 hours then the first batch I dyed with Wiltons food coloring paste. I did it in the microwave similar to the Kool-aid dying but it took a lot longer and the water never did really run clear. The second attempt after the vinegar soak went into the crock pot with some powdered food coloring. I can't really tell much difference but I preferred the Wiltons past to the powder because it mixed into the water better. I am going to knit up a couple of swatched to make sure the more subtle variegation won't detract from the pattern.
More to Come!

Early Spring Socks

I have been knitting these socks appropriately named Early Spring Socks. I am knitting them in Knitpicks dancing. They are coming out nice. I used the turkish cast on that I always use but I did try the heel that is written in the pattern. I'll have to see comfort wise if I like it. It did knit up good. I am doing them at the same time on 2 circulars instead of on double pointed.