Acadian Shawl

This pattern, called the Acadian Shawl, can be found on Ravelry.

It's very easy lace knitting for the border.

It is made with Elann Incense yarn which is a worsted weight wool, silk, and bamboo blend. I was really hoping that yarn wouldn't shed because I wanted to wear this with my wool winter coat.

It sheds all over the place so that is disappointing. However, it will be a great little wrap this summer for cold, air conditioned restaurants and I won't have to worry too much about the shedding.

Hat

I don't really like wearing winter hats. But I wanted to use up some leftover Alpaca yarn AND try lace knitting one more time and hope for success.

This was quick and easy and gave me hope for future lace projects.

It's "Kensington" by Linda Wilgus and can be found on Ravelry.

So, now I have a nice, warm hat. Just in time for Spring!

LOVE THIS

Muskat

I would never take the time to make this. But I love it, and I'd wear it.

Wow.. it's been a long time!

There are times I miss blogging, but I also remember the time when it seemed like a chore. I may be ready to start blogging again. We'll see. The thing about blogging is that when you stay away too long, people abandon the blog so what's the point of blogging?

So, anyway, 2011 is going to be a big year. William will turn one in April, Clare will be three in May and Colin will be five in May. Where did that time go? Colin turning five?? It's unbelievable to me. They have given us so much joy. And the lovely Cate will be married in September so there is a big wedding to plan and also a fun bridal shower in July.

Not to forget knitting because, yes, this is supposed to be a knitting blog. I have knit many many projects since my last knitting report. Hats, socks, scarves, wraps.. cute things and practical things. But the thing that made the most waves is the hat below. The pattern is called "Loved" by Talitha Kuomi and can be purchased on the Knitpicks website.

My daughter said people stop them on the street, at school, at the mall and everywhere to inquire about the hat. This hat was an easy knit but for some reason I didn't really enjoy the process. But if there is anyone out there reading this... and you have a special little girlie girl, this is the thing to knit for her.

William

William came to stay with Grandma last night so Mommy and Daddy could get some

much needed sleep. His teeth are bothering him, he wants held, and truth be told, he's a little

high maintenance at almost 6 months old.

He slept all night long.

I was up all night waiting for him to wake up.

I'm ready to drop.

The Discovery Garden, Hollidaysburg, PA

The Discovery Garden began as a tribute to a young woman who passed away by her parents.

Over the years it has evolved into stunning gardens and the original play park remains.

If you're ever in Blair County in the summer, don't miss it.

These photos are just a sliver of the overall beauty of this park.

The files are large. Click on them for the full effect.

I am still knitting. I am hurrying to finish a project for a birthday by the end of the month. I had hoped to have it finished so the lovely Cate could model it for pictures before she went back home to Charlottesville yesterday but I have at least another two nights to go on it. Photos later!

Knitting and Stuff

I really love this scarf from Knitscene.

I'd make this.

By the way, do you think her earrings are big enough??

T-Ball

Colin's first t-ball game. He loves baseball.

He doesn't like hitting the ball from a tee, and he doesn't like only being able

to run one base at a time.

I think he wanted to start out with the Pirates.

Girl's Weekend in Charlottesville, VA

For those of you who have never visited Charlottesville, VA, a word of advice: Do!

It is fabulously beautiful there.

There is a wonderful downtown mall with cute shops and

great restaurants.

My sister and Cate.

Miller's Restaurant in the downtown Mall.

(This is where Dave Matthews got his start!)

The lovely Cate.

Just playing with the camera....
at King Family Winery in Crozet, VA.
This place is a little piece of heaven on earth.
I think this was our fourth trip there.
You just don't want to leave...

The barn at the winery.

Polo Ponies

View from Wintergreen Ski Resort

There is actual knitting content below:

My sister knitting.

Catie and Joe.. waiting with us at the airport.

Oh... and one more thing.... Great yarn shop on the downtown mall called "The Needle Lady".

Oh yeah, we checked it out.

Knitting and Stuff

I have started another lace alpaca shawl. The pattern is from Kraemer Yarns (free online) and I used their alpaca yarn the last time but I bought this yarn in St. Petersburg, FL, when I was there in October. Actually, this yarn never saw St. Petersburg. I ordered it at a litle shop there and it took 6 months for it to come.

I kept calling and kept being told it was "back ordered". But it finally came and it's gorgeous.

I wish I had more time to work on it. I haven't been knitting much lately but not because I don't want to.

I'm still playing a little with my camera. Below is a shot of my mother's day flowers from Michael. I love how the 50 mm. lens blurs the background. I wish I had more time to play with this new hobby too. It's slow learning when you don't have time to experiment.

This weekend we will celebrate Colin's 4th birthday and Clare's 2nd birthday.

Where did the last 4 years go? It was gone in the blink of an eye.

The perfect button....

It's the little things.....

Swing Coat Finished!!

This turned out so much better than expected. The crochet trim made all the difference. I really didn't like it much before I added that.

And I'll tell you the truth. I wanted an applied i-cord edging on it.

Hard as I tried, I couldn't get it. I think if I would have used larger needles to bind off, I might have been able to do it. I just couldn't pick up the stitches around the bottom. They were way too tight.

I have used this yarn before but only to make small items. I love the fabric it makes.

The piece is much heavier than I expected it to be, and it really does feel like a "coat".

It's going to be perfect for chilly evenings and early Fall.

I just pray she'll wear it. She'll be two next month. My daughter asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she replied, "Pink things."

Oh well.

Ahhh.. Spring!

It makes for a good desktop background.

Still waiting for my skein of yarn to come to finish Clare's Swing Coat sweater.

I have resisted the temptation to start a new project until that is finished.

It hasn't been easy because I have a ton of them in my head.

I'm on the fence about Maryland Sheep and Wool.

I know that I can't go Saturday, but I'm still thinking about Sunday.

Thing is... I have a cupboard full of yarn. I don't need more.

Hmmn.... will I, or won't i??

Playing with Digital Photography

I didn't need a new hobby.. really, I don't have time.

But in wanting to learn how to use my new Nikon digital, I took a class.

May have been a mistake.

I could be getting a little addicted.

The things I've learned have surprised me.

First, it's complicated. Much more so than I thought.

Second, like most other hobbies, if you want to really do it right, it's costly.

You want all the toys... lenses, filters, flashes... the list goes on.

But mainly, it really is all about the lens.