First project across the finish line...

I finished the baby hat decreases last night and blocked it out.  Definitely a good project for using up leftover sock yarn because it only took 17 grams of fingering weight yarn.  The pattern came from the Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders book and it is the Shibui Baby Hat and Socks (rav link). It helped me complete the Hat Dash and Baby Dressage events for the Ravellenic Games.  I'm onto the socks now.  After knitting adult size ones for years, these are a breeze!

I thought I would check in on my 2012 knit/crochet/weaving goals.  I've made a bit more progress, but I'm still halfway to the yardage goal of 12,000 yards in 2012.  As of today, it stands at 5,546 yards completed and 6,454 yards remaining.  I think I might need to weave a few things....

Ravellenic Games knitting begins

I've started off the Ravellenic Games with a couple of small projects - a baby hat and socks.  This will enter me in a hat dash and sock put as well as baby dressage and single skein. 

I hope to finish up the hat tonight.  And the socks - they are so tiny!  The ribbing for the leg portion currently fits around my thumb.  And hey, they should go quickly!

Down at the County Fair...

Headed down to the county fair on Friday night with my friend K to see how our entries did.  I'm happy to report that I picked up four ribbons this year!  The Adeline blanket took first, while the Pinion hat, crocheted fan bookmark, and a handmade greeting card rounded out my entries.

K's shawl took third in knitted items. And we were so absorbed in discussing the fair and new category possibilities for next year, that we forgot to grab a corn dog before we headed back home.  There is always next year!

Ravellenic Games start today!

To coincide with the Olypmics in London, Ravelry is hosting the Ravellenic Games.  I'm starting my first project tonight!

Eye Candy Friday: Flowers from Idaho Gardens

Fan Bookmark

I whipped up this bookmark for a friend yesterday.  Since I am behind of my personal sock club, it is going to count as my July project (my rule is basically that a project has to be made out of sock yarn).  I used The Plucky Knitter's Superwash Merino Fingering in the colorway Father Goose, which is leftover from the Adeline blanket.  Quick project and it ended up using 6 grams of yarn when I was done with the pattern.

Earth Laughs in Flowers Card

There are a lot of colors in this card.  I finally purchased the Fabulous Florets set from Stampin Up after months of debating.  I think the fact that some stamps are just outlined and some filled makes it unique and what made it stand out among the other floral sets. 

I used Rose Red for the card base and added a Wild Wasabi layering card.  The stamps used Wild Wasabi & Rose Red from the Subtles Collection and Calypso Coral & Wisteria Wonder from the In Colors for the design.  I added "the earth laughs in flowers" by e.e. cummings in black over the top.

Shaelyn Progress

I'm working through the Shaelyn shawl.  My friend B just finished hers and I am through repeat 3 now and on to the fourth.  If I have extra yarn, I might add a fifth repeat before the border - I'm weighing yarn as a go to make that decision.  Hopefully I'll have a finished shawl to show at the end of the week.

Well, I certainly hope so.  Ideally, this will be my entry to the Warren County Fair on Friday!

Surf Scarf

The latest project off of the loom is a scarf using some Dream in Color Everlasting DK in Surf.  The completed project:

Card Swap!

I attended a Stampin Up Make and Take and Card Swap this morning.  I made two different designs for the swap. The first card used elements from a variety of sets - the Joy of Nature and part of the Fabulous Florets - and the Labels Collection framelits.

 

My second card is a Thank You in white, black, and gray.  I played with the top note die shape and the four frames set.  I loved the DSP paper with the velvet touches.

Eye Candy Friday: Rose Garden Bench

Rose Garden Bench at the Idaho Botanical Garden





Scottish Thistle Socks

I'm behind on my personal sock club socks, but I am slowly working on my June socks.  I like the way the colors are working up and am sneaking in some knitting on them in between the Shaelyn shawl.

Shaelyn Shawl KAL

My friend B and I decided to knit the Shaelyn Shawl by Leila Raabe.  It's turning out to be a lovely pattern.  Easy to memorize and beautifully simple.

I am through the initial repeat and into the second full repeat.  I have a bit more yarn that originally required, so I might be able to sneak in an extra pattern repeat.  Even though I have just started, it is definitely a pattern that I that I could knit again.

Sky Scarf Update

 

The Sky Scarf is coming along nicely.  This picture shows it through the end of June, so I am halfway!  I can't believe that its 50% done.  I have to say, it will be nice to have the space back in my work basket, but I like the way it is turning out.  I wish that we had a bit more rain, the past few weeks have been mostly full of sunshine, so there are huge sections of the big blue sky.

Eye Candy Friday: Idaho Roses

Scottish Thistle Socks

I have been slowly working on the Scottish Thistle Socks.  They were my June personal sock club challenge that I didn't finish in time.  Frankly, it has been too hot and we're in for another week of 100+ weather. 

Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair Recap

On vacation last week, I stopped by the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair in Grayslake, IL.  I had a great time and did a little shopping while I was there.  First up, I took the Weave a Basket class to create a divided tote. We started with placing and gluing reed into the handmade walnut base followed by instructions.  While we were waiting for it to dry, I got to head over to the market for some shopping and over lunch, I stopped by to see all of the llamas.  After lunch, we worked through the rest of the reed, weaving it up the sides of the basket. 

I got it finished in time to take home late in the afternoon. It was slightly damp all night, so it gave me the opportunity to push it into shape a bit more.  I couldn't decide to stain the reed or not, and if I do, I would want it to match pretty closely, so for the moment I opted to leave it au natural.  And I am already putting it to good use with my knitting.  The end pockets are a little small for a ball of yarn, so this might end up being used for paper crafts.  We'll see.