Rainy Day at the Ocean

So what do you do on Day 3 of a Stormy Presidents Day Weekend? How about go out to the Ocean? Doran Park, Bodega Bay, one of my most favorite places in the world! Yes, that is exactly what we did. We packed up the girls and the dogs and headed out.



We had a GREAT time! Just was we arrived, it rained like crazy.. I had the girls hide under the blankets to try and stay dry. The dogs didn't care, they enjoyed the rain.

The rest of our time was wonderful, the rain cleared out the people, so we had the beach to ourselves. We saw a beautiful rainbow and had fun in the sand.




Just as we arrived home, it started to hail! See our lawn.. amazing!

Baby News!

I have the best NEWS! Asa and Ashley are expecting a baby!! I could not be more excited....


Clearly this has inspired me.. as I cast on Friday night and just now finished a baby hat! The pattern is super cute and very simple...



I used Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino purchased at Balls & Skeins in Sebastopol. The pattern is Sweet Pea by Chris de Longpre www.knittingatknoon.com also purchased at Balls & Skeins.



I am going to cast on the Sacque just as soon as I finish this post. There is nothing like the news of a new baby on it's way to inspire baby knitting! Oh.. what fun!!!

Tamami- Where are you and all your lovely homespun?

Hi Friend, I will speak for the world, WE MISS YOU! Your lovely homespun, the fiber you are preparing to spin.. and of course your beautiful finished objects.

Please post! Share .... Missing you! Liz

Another Ann Norling #54 Spiral Rib Hat by Song Palmese

I made this one Ann Norling #54 Spiral Rib Hat by Song Palmese using a very lovely with Mirasol Yarn Miski- off white... probably the softest fiber on earth! The hat is sooooo pretty I want to keep it for myself.. but I this one is slated for Ashley.

As you may notice, I made a mistake part way on the hat which gave it a different look.. a longer faux cable look, I think it is pretty anyway! The hat took about 1 1/2 skein - so I have a little left over which I will use when I create my next miski project.

I was thinking I should make fingerless mitts, but I think the yarn is too soft and might end up piling, so maybe a scarf or cowl. Of course that would require another trip to Balls & Skeins for more, right? Of course, I could just shop at Lizzy's Stash... where I have a lovely light purple Miski just waiting to become something lovely.

I really recommend the Ann Norling pattern, easy to knit up and easy to make variations, intentional or not.

Hats, Hats, Hats.. Can't get enough! ;-)Liz

Turtleneck Shrug Scarf - FINISHED!

Remember this post back in Feb 2007?

http://designatedknitters.blogspot.com/2007/02/turtleneck-shrug-scarf.html

Well, guess what folks.... my longest standing unfinished project is
D-O-N-E! DONE! Yes, it is TRUE.. the Turtleneck Shrug Scarf is FINISHED...

Perfect, it is not. And really, when would a person ever really wear one? As I tried it on, I think.. humm.. I should make a tank top of the same yarn to go with it... nah! I think I just might chalk it up to a lesson learned. Sometimes knitted items just don't turn out as expected.. that doesn't mean we need to keep it, or try and make it better.

Here are some up close photos... no distant photos because again, it really doesn't make sense...




Maybe if I wore it as a scarf? Nope, don't that that works either... now I am contemplating ripping it and reusing the yarn.. except that it doesn't rip well because the fibers are too fluffy... It might just end up as a puppet... or I am thinking about felting it, it might work better for Nicole... I will let you know what I end up doing.. in the meanwhile, FO folks FO! ;-)Liz

Hats for Da'Boys - Christmas in February?

Okay, so I had this bright idea that I would knit hats for Da'Boys. Four boys. Aren't they handsome boys? YES! They are!


If you will remember, I already posted about the pattern. The Boy Hat in a post a few weeks ago called -Mad Hatter

Well, I have made great progress. I have completed 3 of the four hats.. and the last one I am just about at the decrease. Oh and about those decreases, I am getting pretty good at my SSK, if I don't say so myself! So it looks like we will have Christmas in February this year!

I used Cascade Heathers for two of the four hats and Cascade 220 for one (Balls & Skeins). LOVED IT! I believe the pattern and this fiber is a perfect match!

I also used a Hemp Wool for one of the hats - the black one in the middle (Stitches West 2008, Hemp for Knitting). I really loved the feel of the fiber and enjoyed knitting that one up. If I was to do it again, I would use a smaller needle to have a tighter looking fabric. I used an 8 and really I think a 7 or maybe even a 6 would have been great. The pattern has enough give that I would probably not need to increase the cast on or if I did not by much. If you have never knitted with Hemp or Hemp Wool, I VERY much recommend it. I think once you do, you will forever be in love with the fiber! Without a doubt, I will be visiting the Hemp booth at Stitches West 2009!


And now for something totally unrelated... Nicole got a hold of Sean's motorcycle helmet the other night... I think she just might have a little "hat" fetish too?



Whatcha look'n at Mamma? The funny thing is the helmet was so heavy she had a hard time walking around with her head up straight, yet, she didn't want to take it off. Our little biker girl!Got me to thinking that I just might need to find a helmet hat pattern... oh my! More hats? Makes me want to jump up and down from the joy! Off to Ravelry in search of a new pattern or three! You can check out my pattern queue anytime.. See you online! ;-)Liz