Memorial Day

"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it."

- Thucydides

Today is a day to remember...those that have given their all in the service and protection of this great Nation under God. God Bless Them Every One.

Brandywine Shawl. It still needs to be blocked. I am pretty happy with the way it came out. I think I would like to make another, longer version. This bind off was new to me and it gives the shawl a finish that is perfect.
My latest socks. The knitting of these has been very emotional. The yarn was dyed, of course, by Qutecowgirl. The name of the yarn is "Lynn 3". She dyed them specifically with me in mind and with thoughts for my healing. Pretty powerful stuff. Her yarn is a delight, so soft I can't even come up with words for it. I am letting the yarn be the showcase for these socks, the colors are so soothing. I worked on these non-stop while my best friend was in surgery last week...I think it brought both of us luck.
Winterscape Socks designed by Kay Redding From The Back Yard. I love her designs. These socks are very special to me. They were completed this month for my May Sock of the Month. The yarn was bought in the Black Hills on Bruce's and my last trip. I don't know if he will remember this particular yarn, but I thought about that trip and him with every stitch.

I have started the Spinner's Lace Shawl designed by Evelyn A. Clark. I chose a German mohair yarn I was lucky enough to find at a garage sale last year. I bought two cones for $6. There will be plenty for a longer version of her shawl.

I finally, after such a struggle, made a decision on buttons for my sweater. I didn't go with the silver after all, but with some polymer buttons I had bought off eBay last year. I found them rummaging through a drawer looking for something for my daughter. I knew instantly they were what I wanted.

I hope your weekend has been a special one, filled with the love of family and friends.

Happy Easter!

The shortest distance between two points is under construction.

- Noelie Alito

Another pair of reading mitts, this pair for my daughter. The first one is finished, the second is under construction with a little help from Dexter....AKA the Dextinator....everybody needs a little buddy, or in his case, a rather large buddy...this is 30 pounds of cat who really wishes he could knit, too.
Also under construction for the month of March, Tres Trax Socks from Kay Redding . These have been on my queue for a while and I am excited to have finally started them. They are my second pair that have been designed by her. This wonderful yarn is from Qutecowgirl.

Isn't it a crying shame when you are so proud of something you are making until you look at the photo for the first time? You never see the problems when the work is up close and personal. I have two months to finish this one in between sock of the month, should be a breeze. This is Brandywine Shawl by Rosemary Hill. I am in love with the pattern and want to do another one for me. The yarn is, of course from my favorite designer, Qutecowgirl.

I stopped into the LYS to pick up a ball of Lima to finish the reading mitts and decided to ask about a swift. I wind all my yarn by hand, it is good physical therapy. I did come home with a new swift, but also with this hank of handspun that is to die for. 124 yards of bulky that I am still not exactly sure what I will do with.

This is a ball of recycled super bulky hand dyed yarn I picked up off Etsy from SpinyNormanKnits. I know exactly what this is for, a bobble-less tea cozy. Now I just need 4 really cute buttons or beads. If it goes well, there will be several made for Christmas presents this year. My daughter, who never comments on my yarn except to tell me she does not like it, loved this yarn as soon as it came out of it's package and wanted to know what I was using it for. It really is quite lovely. Thanks to my new swift, both hanks were wound right away.

Decisions, decisions. I have two sets of buttons for my Neck Down V-Neck Cardigan. I think I am still hoping for polymer cane buttons to show up in the right color.

But I am leaning toward these from eBay.....