Lagoon Monkeys and Slough Puppies

I finally finished a new pair of socks for Morgan and the weather was cooperative so we shot some pictures this morning.

Then we took the kids, often referred to as 'the monkeys' to the park by the Columbia Slough. There was much swimming and wrestling and rolling in the grass.

I love Teasel!

Tempest had a good day at the park!

Method or Madness?

Ah the single sock collection; one has been languishing for a long time, one needs to be frogged and the other two are simply patiently awaiting their mates.


Ms. Tempest really enjoys my knitting (and the couch)!
We must keep the Canine in the blog...must stop neglecting the cashmere too...construction is mostly up to M and he is very preoccupied with nursing school.


Some call it Startitis, I call it casting a wide net from which to multi-task. Different projects (read sock patterns) require varying levels of concentration. This is a very basic ribbed sock in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted because there are people in my life who clearly believe that hand knit socks grow on trees. A quick and easy knit for those times before coffee and after too many hours of knitting lace while watching television.


Ah the passion of a beautiful pattern, a gorgeous yarn and the time to sit down with it.

Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern- adapted from Weldon's by Nancy Bush in Knitting Vintage Socks
Blue Moon Fiber Arts- Socks that Rock Lightweight in Rose Quartz
2.5 mm dpns from Knit Picks

Love, pure sock knitting ecstasy!!!



Then there is the sock pattern that just wont leave me alone. You may recall a pair of Post Christmas Monkeys as well as some earlier Monkeys in STR Fluorite. I made this sock in three weekdays I think which is remarkably fast for me. The pattern repeat is so easy and fun it is hard to put the needles down.


I do occasionally finish things too, sorry not a great picture they just came out of a warm bath. These are some simple socks for a friend who doesn't take particularly good care of garments, so they are simple and rugged, hand knit sock training wheels if you will. Specs are on my Ravelry page.
For now, I would rather not discuss the two unfinished sweaters, one unfinished shell, the never ending afghan from hell (which I did work on this month) or any other hibernating projects. I am in a sock knitting mood and that is what I shall knit.
Did I mention I went online this morning and bought yarn to make a Cobblestone Pullover for M? Well so much for rationalization, I have rampant Startitis.

Lagoon Monkey

This is such an addictive pattern
Monkey by Cookie A.
Socks that Rock Lightweight in 'Lagoon'

Post Christmas Monkeys

Break (Yarn) Fast

To reward myself for slaving endlessly on the above project, I broke my highly unsuccessful (and mostly imaginary) yarn fast and went to the Blue Moon Stash Busting sale.





It was fun identifying all these lovelies!

Left to right: Mesa, Dixie Chick, Fred Flintstone, Watermelon Tourmaline, Falcons Eye, Christmas Balls, and Titania.

Inspiration..just in time..Whew

I have been in a tremendous knitting (and blogging) slump. My grandmother, my favorite and last living grandparent died last week. It was not entirely unexpected and in some ways a great blessing but still my heart aches.
The bag of blue yarn that was slated for her Christmas afghan has been staring at me as a painful reminder all week.
I have been forcing myself to finish a blanket I started almost three years ago. It's a boring, miles of stockinette affair that I thought was a great idea when I started knitting again because well I was a novice and in the manner of all who are uninitiated and un-jaded I did not comprehend the immensity of the tedium I was embarking upon.



It is however, mindless and virtually passionless so in some ways a good numbing project.
I have also been staring down a completed Shetland Triangle that simply needs it's ends weaved in and blocking. It is very unlike me to get so close to the finish line and not go bounding over it even if it means working into the wee hours.



My salvation came yesterday in a small priority mail package on my front porch. The new sock kit from Blue Moon. I'll be honest I was only mildly excited until I opened the package. Many (most) of the patterns this year have been toe up, no disrespect but I am still not a convert to this method. Some of the patterns also have not done justice to the yarn in my opinion and have been rife with tribulations if the accounts of knitters out there attempting them can be trusted.
This months installment was designed by no other than the Yarn Harlot herself. I am not a groupie but I love Stephanie's no nonsense approach to knitting, especially sock knitting. The pattern is gorgeous, Gothic and Halloween inspired and I was confident that I could dive right in without fear of multiple froggings.
It is also lace which has been my knitting muse for the last many moons.
I'm sure photos will not do it justice but those of you out there who have received the same package know exactly what I'm talking about.



Thanks for the inspiring project ladies. I really appreciate it!