Schools out for Summer!

There hasn't been much knitting for the past year in Rhonda's house. I've been busy studying but now I have three months to catch up and knit some things for my grandson!

But first, Barbara had a big '0' birthday so she got a tea cozy from Wild Tea Cosies by Loani Prior. It was pretty easy and turned out really cute. I think she liked it.

And I have started EZ's Mystery Baby Blanket for Junior (that's what my son is calling him for now!) I'm making it out of cream cotton 8 ply. (this picture is pretty fuzzy - oh well, I'll try to get a good one when it's finished)

And the obligatory booties. I make three in case one gets lost. If Mum hates them, well, she will have to hate them a little longer but if she likes them then it's really nice to have a replacement. And it is easy to knit a third. These are from Debbie Bliss but I don't know which book - I copied it out of one I had from the library.

And I am catching up on novel reading, gardening (although it still looks terrible), and sleep. Hopefully I can catch up with friends too (and blogging!) Adios!

Knitting for the GrandBub and Emma

I am so excited about having a grandchild. I never imagined how happy it would make me and how complete my little wee family would feel with one on the way - I can't imagine how it will feel when he comes into the world.
In the meantime I found the perfect thing to do with all the sock yarn I have - a biggish stash - well, compared to some of my friends it's really small! But I still have sock yarn that I love. Now I can knit baby vests with the two balls that were previously destined for my feet.
This is Maisy corn fiber yarn bought in Seattle years ago.
Look at this precious ribbon from Cassidy's - with little foot prints.

Perfect for tying up the little kimono style sweater.

And another little cardi. Both are Bendi 4ply cotton - so nice to knit with. I think it will be nice to dress a new little baby in white - they can't ever wear it again once they start eating, really.

I have another project started for GrandBub and now that it is semester break I will try to work on that one too. I still have an essay and a presentation due the first week back from break so I will be busy but I need to catch up on some movies and knitting as well. Priorities!!

The picture of the presents for Emma didn't load so I'll save that for another day.

Guess who I'm knitting for.

I could not be more excited. My first grandchild! I have about 30 garments to knit before January so can't talk now - must get to all the lovely little knitting - ooo it is sooo fun. (not to mention the three essays and one oral report due in the next few weeks!!)

Renaissance ribbon.

My lovely friend Barbara went to NYcity and brought me back a little present (I get good present when dear friends go to NY!). This is 3 metres of poly-satin ribbon with knitting instructions. How cute is it?

Now I just have to find the perfect project to use it in - any suggestions?

I can't help it.

A few years ago when Nettie went to NY city she brought me back two glorious skiens of Koigu Merino sock wool - way too good and special to put in my shoes so ....
I made them extra long to go over my fingers if I want - the colour in the photo does not do it justice at all but I have a little camera that takes not-so-great photos.

And I couldn't help showing you the Tangled Yoke cardie worn by it's owner. Isn't it lovely. Don't be afraid of it - not that most knitter aren't intrepid - but just saying - it wasn't too difficult at all. And look at the results - wonderful.

Tangled Cable for a friend

About two years ago I told my two of my oldest girlfriends (oldest meaning I have known them for a long time - not that they are old) that I would knit them sweaters. This is Shirl's. She hasn't seen it. She didn't pick out the pattern. She told me the colour she would like but she didn't approve the wool - which is Bendigo. It's a big gamble because it won't fit me (way to small) if she doesn't like it.

But I like it. A lot. And it was a fun knit. I did dedicate a whole Sunday to knitting the tangled yoke. And it took the whole Sunday - I'm not a fast knitter.

I will try to get a photo of it on her as soon as I block it and give it to her. Cross your fingers and bite your toes she likes it!!

Oh, and by the way, have you seen the new stamped envelopes at the post office? Aren't they great.

Husky cap and mitts

Go Huskies! The Huskies is the name of every sporting team from the University of Washington in Seattle. People in the know call them the Dawgs! The Husky softball team (women) are the 2009 national champions. My brother gets season's tickets to the men's Husky basketball team games every year. And the most thrilling sporting event ever was the Husky football game I went to with my brother where we sat in the 101st row of an outdoor stadium called Husky Stadium. In Seattle there is Husky stuff everywhere - even the best ice cream in the world comes from a deli called Huskies and is called Husky flake!
I bought this sock wool in Seattle about 4 years ago and yes, it is the Husky colors of purple and gold. I've looked at for a really a long time but didn't want Husky socks so....

I knitted Husky mitts and a Husky hat. No one here will know anything about the UofW colors but if I wore these in Seattle everyone would instantly know that these were their favourite college football, basketball, softball, rowing, baseball, whatever, team's colors. I just like them.

You know what else I have in my stash? Seattle Mariner's colors sock wool too! And I don't want to make socks out of it either. I wonder if it will take me 4 years to decide what to knit out of it?