Do We Love the New Knitty or What?

It's so bright! So clean! I got a happy feeling when the home page popped up on my screen. And yes, it is easier to navigate.
Of course, there are lovely patterns as always. Browsing through got my knitting juices flowing. Can't wait to cast on something new. Now that I'm semi-unemployed, (Did I mention I quit my job? A bold, foolish, glorious and possibly disastrous thing to do!) I'll have a spot of time to rest up and knit. My favourite project in the new issue is Kernal. I've struggled in the past with beads but this scarf has just enough to make it challenging but not overwhelming. Definitely on my To Do list.

I wore these socks to work yesterday and it came to me that I had never blogged them properly. They're the Acorn Lace Socks by Fiber Trends. The yarn is FibraNatura Yummy. While, I'm not the biggest fan of %100 wool for socks, I just love this pot dyed colour. The blue changes up into so many shades of itself that little sparks of happiness were coming out my fingers as I knit. The base colour look white in the photo but is actually a light steely grey, which sets off the blue perfectly. More photos on my Ravelry page.

In other knitting, Rose is coming along and Vanda is done and has been worn already. Photos soon.

Last Summer Weekend

It's ten past noon and The Daughter sleeps on. I'm torn between letting her enjoy this, her second to last sleep-in opportunity, and waking her "for her own good." My enjoyment of the quiet on this beautiful Sunday morning is influencing my decision toward the former choice.

School in two days. I always dislike this time of year. The myth created by marketing people that parents are dancing in the store aisles right now, is just not true. I enjoy the unstructured ease of the summer days. Seeing more of the kid, sitting outside after work, no homework to nag about. Even with working like a maniac these past few months and the lack of a proper vacation, I'm still sad to see summer end. Soon the pressures and rigidity of the school year, combined with shorter, darker, colder days, will make the sunshine and light breezes of this Labour Day Sunday a distant memory.

Two years ago, for Mother's Day, The Daughter gave me two skeins of Diamond Luxor Egyptian cotton in this gorgeous pink. It had been sitting in the stash waiting for a project until my current need for a new cosmetic bag provided the answer. Using a Knitgrrl 2 pattern as a starting point, I knit up this clutch in just a few days. The smooth, shiny pink goes so well with the vintage buttons. Tres chic. Tres girlie.

Stash Enhancement

Very pretty enhancement it is too. Lovely Elayne had a de-stash social sale at her newly renovated home. Yarn and friends are my favourite combination.

Notice the departure from my usual jewel toned palette? I'm branching out! I'm adventurous! I chose beige!

We have Fibranatura Sea Song - 80% cotton, 20% seacell

and Louisa Harding Kashmir Aran, 50% Merino, 35% microfibre, 10% cashmere.

Don't know what they'll be yet. I'm just enjoying the view.

A Crafty Puppy

I finally made it out to Wychcraft Market this past Saturday. It's the outdoor craft fair my friend Tracy runs every weekend. Yes, I was hoping to see some lovely handmade things, but honestly, the main purpose of the visit was to meet Pickles. She's Tracy's new puppy - half beagle, half bull dog. Have you ever seen anything cuter? I mean really!

Unfortunately, the weather was hot and hotter so passerby were few. Consequently, market business was very slow. Tracy, Pickles and I just sat on lawn chairs under a shade tree drinking juice (humans) and chewing bones (Pickles), and getting all caught up. It was quite a companionable afternoon.

Art

Art therapy? Then what the heck does this mean? Perhaps it's just that I like these colours. I know I like my plastic crayons.

I Spoke Too Soon

So much for being near to completion. I just had to rip out most of the front panel after discovering a major error 40 rows ago. Argghh!