Starting Over

 This was supposed to be a post about finishing up two pairs of socks.

 Instead it's about when knitting attacks.

 When I put the stripeys on the sock blockers I found this. A dropped stitch. I NEVER drop stitches but apparently I did. Right in the blankety blank gusset.

 I had no choice. Rip, rip, rip.

It's too hot for socks now anyway. I'll take my time on this one and get it right.

And so it Begins

Thanks to a long run of rainy days, the Dresden Plate quilt is finally in the hoop.

 I've always wanted a pouncing pad for transferring the quilting patterns so I finally talked myself into buying one.

 I've also got a collection of stencils to use with the new toy.

 Corners are easy and fun so I'll start there.

 Oh, yeah. I really like doing this. This is going to take forever but I really don't care if this quilt ever gets done. I am going to enjoy the process.

Getting Somewhere

This stitching project has been a struggle but this week I turned the corner. It finally looks like something I can recognize so the chart is starting to make sense.

It also helps that I invested in a pair of super duper reading glasses. 4.0 yikes.

 I also found these adorable embroidery scissors at Micheals to add to the kit. When you are treading water every pretty little perk helps.

Eighty One

 Mom would have been 81 today.

 I can't even imagine what that would look like. She left us at 66. I'll be 64 in December so I am beginning to feel the chill. I spent the afternoon thinking about her in the place she loved most.

 I've walked past this antique shop that's on the corner of the boardwalk for years and never really looked at it.

 I never realized what this pretty thing was. It's weaving. I am not sure what kind but it's really pretty. It was only $35 for the little loom.  I was tempted but I think it's too pretty to come out of the window and be lost in the clutter that is my house.

Instead of more antiquing, Pup and I decided to share an oatmeal raisin cookie from the coffee shop across the street. No raisins for her though. It was the best cookie I'd ever had and I think Pup agreed.

Speckles Part 2

Some of you asked about the forking thing I did to my handspun yesterday. This is what started it all-the speckled yarn trend. It was even on the Ravelry's home page yesterday. I read about it on a blog post here. There is even a video on the page.

 First I soaked the skein in a strong vinegar water solution and then let it drain in the sink for awhile.

Then I dipped my plastic fork in my Jacquard acid dye and then touched the yarn with it. I tried to put blue dots on blue yarn, pink on pink and so forth. I went too far when I added navy blue. I should have stopped with the lighter dots.

I don't think I got the underside of the skein very well because my dots are a bit far apart. They are also more like splotches than speckles. I just might have to try this again.

Stick a Fork in It

 Remember the mystery fiber I just spun?

 It was just too blah for me so I forked it. I saw this on Youtube. I was looking to make speckles.

 I forked my heart out with several colors and then steamed it in the microwave.

 I had no idea if that dye would take but it looks like it did.

 Hmmmm....

.....not much of an improvement but it was fun trying. It's itchy stuff so it will be mitts one day. Spotty mitts.

Baby Steps

 I finally worked up the courage to start weaving that project that I've been avoiding for months. It's all new to me stuff.

 Look at that. That's what been scaring me off. There is so much going on at one time. It took a while to come up with a system that made sense to my old brain so I could keep track of where I was in the draft.

 Juggling all the different shuttles has been another challenge. It's getting easier as I go and I have to say it looks better than I thought it would considering I've given myself permission to make as many mistakes as necessary this first time around.

Thanks Mom

 I was looking forward to yesterday's Science March. I even bought a banner from Greenpeace to take with me.

 I didn't get to go. Life got in the way.

I was there in spirit. I spent the day admiring Mother Earth's spring display.

 Everything is so fresh and delicate this time of year.

The green is getting greener.

Every where you look the winter mud has given way to new life and I'm living proof. I'm covered in poison ivy. Note to self: Stay out of the may apples.

A Rough Start

 I've got a bobbin of singles fresh off the wheel.

It was spun from this fiber that I washed and dyed myself but I can't remember what it was or when I did it. It looks like egg dye to me so that might be a clue.

 I had a horrific time getting the plying going. It's a 3 ply chain deal and nothing went right. It was all so wrong I just had to laugh at myself for the sheer clumsiness of the operation. I'm not sure why but the hands and head took a while to get going. The wheel wasn't being very cooperative either. It's not the one I usually ply on and I think that was part of the problem-which is a good an excuse as any.

Divide and Conquer

 I did it. I figured out how to turn the Tracery into a vest. I think.

 Those lines are a steek. It's where I am going to cut it up the front. The problem is that I am in the place where I have to add two more for arm holes and at the same time start decreasing for the v neck. All the math was to figure out where those things should be while at the same time keeping the design going where it should go. Not easy.

Ta dah....here is one of them. There is another on the other side. They don't look like much but hopefully they will help me turn this tube into something human shaped. Hopefully.

Mail Call

 During last week's heat wave I treated myself to some new cooler tank pjs from you know who and they showed up today in the mail.

 I ordered two pairs. I got one pair and this. The Mister and I had a big laugh. The hand is for scale. I've never seen one this big. It was well stuffed as well. Golly. It's on its way back, of course. I want my other pjs.

I also got this special delivery from Betsy's sweet granddaughter. I sent her some of the leftover babyshower soap and it looks like she liked it. Thanks Piper! I love it. I think I see a future artist in the making-and I've got a degree in art education so I know what I'm talking about.

Too Close For Comfort

 The extra upstairs bedroom is where I go to hide away from the world when I need a break but it is also where I park the toys when I have company over for the holidays.

 Right now I have to climb over all the wheels and the loom to get to my comfy chair in the corner.

 I did some climbing yesterday because I am still too lazy to put everything away and clear up the holiday stuff. Maybe tomorrow.

It was more important to get my hands in some fiber than it was to clean.

To add to my much needed brain break, I also drug out this oldie but goodie. It's a giant lace shawl that is very near completion. I've been working on it since 2008. I've pretty much lost interest in it but right now it will be the cure for a bad case of startitis I feel coming on. It makes no sense to start anything new this close to the MDSW, right?