Looking Glass Sweater

I finished my Looking Glass Sweater today. I first saw the sweater at the Jefferson Sheep and Wool Festival. The designer had run out of patterns, but promised to put it on Ravelry where I purchased it. I bought the yarn in Colorado, while visiting my daughter in Fort Collins. The knit shop, Lambspun, is well known. There are a series of knit mystery books which take place there. It is a knitters' dream shop.
The sweater was fun to knit. It took me about 2 mos, but I wasn't as obsessive as I usually am. It took a lot of blocking to straighten the yoke. I am happy with results.

This is my latest project. It's a crochet shrug or capelet. The pattern was free through Ravalry -a community knitting site. Everyone shares their projects and patterns there. You can keep track of all your projects there, dates started and completed, difficulty rating, pics and any notes to self. It's great. I enjoyed making this and crocheting again. I forgot how much I like to crochet. The pattern was a little challenging, but fun. Each row was different. I used a linen yarn and I'm really happy with the results. I plan on wearing this to my niece, Jenny's wedding, August 1st. Instead of using a button, I found this antique pin hidden away in my drawer. I think it adds the perfect touch.

New Fairy Garden!!!

We finished a new garden in my backyard. I love it - can't take my eyes off it. It is beautiful. Basically completed it in 2 weekends, thanks to my dad. He designed it, laid it out, leveled it, placed block and arranged the plants. I dragged in "tons" of block (each weighs 21#) and 55 bags of dirt with some help from my sons, Mike and Robbie. My mom gave me the idea of a rose garden (top pic and right side in next pic) and helped me pick out the plants. At the garden center I saw the fairy statue and thought to myself - that's it, have to have her and a few minutes later my mom said "Look at her. Do you want her? I'll buy her for you." She's holding a mirror ball and has these awesome wings with balls of stained glass. She's perfect.

So it seems like overnight I went from a patch of grass to this amazing garden. Thanks Mom and Dad.

When it's dark out...

When it's dark out I knit. My monkey socks are coming along. I really like knitting 2 at once on one long circular needle. You have to be careful about tangling the yarn, but it is great once you get the hang of it and learn some little tricks. The 2 socks are then identical. No second sock syndrome. (You make one sock and then don't want to make a second match.) It's great.

First, I started knitting socks on double points. I swear the first set of double points looked just like toothpicks, only skinnier. Then I switched to one sock at a time on two circulars. Now the 2 at a time on one long circular is the best yet. I can't imagine going back to those toothpicks. I knit socks cuff down to toe. My next goal will be to learn to knit socks toe up. I'm not sure why sock knitting becomes an addiction. Wouldn't you rather have a sweater than a pair of sock?

If I have any time tomorrow to knit, (Dancing with the Stars is 2 hours - great knitting time) I 'll probably be ready to turn the heels.

Those darn hives!

Finally nice weather and on a weekend! I've spent every minute of sunlight working out in my yard and pond. Unfortunately this seems to worsen my chronic hives that I've now had for 5 mos. The picture doesn't do it justice. Not sure why they're worse after being outside, but they are. I'm so so itchy I want to die!

My pond is up and running, My water lilies have many leaves. The irises will be blooming before long. My bird bath is in and the little fountain is running. My waterfalls are working. And it only gets better as summer approaches. (So sad though that the fish died over the winter. i guess they froze.) I finished staining the top of my deck, but still need to do the sides. The staircases my dad put in are awesome. Tomorrow I will make my first trip of the season to the rock store. I need small stones to go along one side of the new stairs. Pictures will be coming soon. My neighbors think I'm goofy since all I do is work out there, but I must say they're pretty goofy too. Everyone is obsessed with their lawns and gardens around here.

When my mom and dad came up to put in the latest stairs my dad brought his POWER WASHER. I love that thing. It's the greatest invention ever. I said I HAVE to HAVE one of these and my dad immediately said I could have that one. I cleaned off the deck to re stain it lighter. I washed off a planter in my back yard. What a difference. I cleaned off the front of the house, where algae was growing. I washed off the porch and I even cleaned my driveway. (I could have wrote my name on the driveway in clean with the washer.) Who knew there was so much dirt. I knew I was obsessed when I started cleaning rocks. Well, they had algae on them. Now I want to power wash the lawn furniture and umbrellas. There's not enough time in a day.

Tomorrow's suppose to be nice too. I've got a list of things to do outside. So glad to be off on Mondays.

FINISHED!

Finished! Eli's happy I'm finished too. (He'd rather I take him for walks then sit in a chair and knit, knit, knit.) I enjoyed the process of making this sweater and learned a lot. What should I knit next?

ALMOST DONE!!

I finished knitting the collar last night. I was so so tired I could barely keep my eyes open, but I wanted to finish. Today I'll go buy buttons and figure out how to add button loops. When I'm done I'll post a picture of me modeling it.