Nearly Done!

I've got to knit one more half square, sew in the last two squares, then knit the border all around. Then it will be ready to be gifted! This is the second of these baby patchwork blankets I've made. They're not too complicated, but they are a bit tedious. 25 squares, six different patterns.

Once the baby blanket is done, I'm going to once again tackle the silk hankies I bought three years ago, and didn't do much with.

I'm not really feeling too crafty lately ... all my thoughts are of spring, and the garden I'm planning, but it's not time yet for that. I'm in Zone 7, so I can't really put anything in the ground till 1 May.











Something to look forward to; it's less than two months until the 41st annual MD Sheep and Wool fest! I blogged my visits in 2011, 2012, and 2013. I have so much fun at the festival, even if I don't buy anything (which never happens, really, but it's fun to think I might have that level of self-control).

I leave you with Edgar and his shoe fetish. He's not ashamed.

Three Squares to Go

...I think. This is not a flattering photo.

I had REALLY hoped to be done with this by now! Despite the snow day, I still didn't finish. And that is because I took some time to organize my seeds, plan a garden, and get my seedlings in.

About 8" Sunday night. Melted VERY fast.

Killer Icicles of Death! Very noisy when they break away from the awning and crash to the ground.

My seed collection. More herbs than vegetables.

I don't know where I'm going to plant all these!

I'm helping. Really.

Yep. Still Knitting the Blanket.

I just wanted everyone to know I'm still here ... still knitting that baby blanket!

I have about 8 more squares to go, then I knit them together and knit or crochet the border, I forget which. I forget how I did it last time.

I've been knitting at it slowly, but not steadily. I've been busy training for a half-marathon, which is in just 7 short weeks. Plus the weather got warm enough to get outside and do chores, so between the two, I haven't been inside much! Did you know that when you train for something athletic like a half-marathon, you have to spend a LOT of time on food? Planning what food to eat, in what combination, what type of carbs to eat (simple before a run, complex the rest of the time), protein after the workout, and a steady stream of fluids and fluid-y fruits and vegetables in between. Can't just grab a sammich and go anymore! I can't even say I eat x many small meals a day; it's more like I start eating in the morning and keep eating for 12 hours! It takes a lot of fuel to get through a 9-mile run, which is where I am currently.

I hope to finish this blankie within a couple weeks, and then I don't know what I'll move on to.

Looking forward to seeing what you all are working on!

Vietnam Women's Memorial, D.C.

Squares, Squares, Squares

I see them in my sleep.

I'm about a quarter of the way there ... I love the look of patchwork blankies, so it's worth the tedium!

I'm trying to be inventive when a skein runs short, and combine bits and pieces in one square.

 The pile slowly grows...

Don't forget to stop by Tamis Amis for Work in Progress Wednesday!

Snow Day II

Here we go again!

The pup is not too happy with this snowfall.

It's very heavy and wet, and she has velcro-fur that attracts ice balls. She did what she had to do, but not happily, and without wasting any time.

Unfortunately, it's not done yet! I'm in the upper right-hand corner, and this big blue thing is heading right for me. 2 - 4 more inches starting later this afternoon. I went out and shoveled, mostly out of boredom and cabin fever, but also so I would only be shoveling 4" tomorrow, and not 13. My neighbors had the same idea.




Well, it's a chance to knit, read, and make soup, anyway. I have abandoned everything to knit this:

Wait, Edgar's in the way....

Well, that's a little better. It's a baby square blanket. There's a story behind it, but I'll save that for another day.

Soup? I made potato-cauliflower-leek with lots of turmeric. And I got to use my immersion blender, which is always fun because I usually lift it too soon and have to wipe down everything afterward. You'd think I would learn.

Can you make out the front porch kitty in this photo? She's pretty cozy and comfy.

Till next time!

Baby Stuff

Sunday, I abandoned everything I was working on to make some baby stuff.

It's a Baby Leaves Baby Hat. I didn't block it because then it would be HUGE.

Tiny little mitts ... I improvised this pattern.

And socks, which I'm going to try to make curly-toed, like elf shoes.

Should be done soon.


They're for a co-worker who is expecting her first daughter in March.

Georgie Girl and Molly Cat remind you that cuddling shares body heat!

Between the Woods and Frozen Lake

"The Darkest Evening of the Year..."

One of the first poems I memorized was Robert Frost's "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening." I can still recite it (but will spare you that). One of the remarkable things about that poem is how gentle and benign Frost makes the frozen woods seem!

"The only other sound's the sweep,
Of easy wind and downy flake."

Doesn't that sound lovely? Soft and kind and comforting? Yeah? Well here's the reality:

Killer Icicles of Death!!

Frozen, frozen, frozen, everywhere I look.

I don't know if it's the cold or just the winter blahs, but I haven't been able to commit to any project.

I did a few cables...

Started, but didn't finish, a yip-yip...(head-butt courtesy Edgar)

...and finally, finally, figured out a simple brioche stitch!

I had a good piece of 2-color going, but the edges were a mess. This is the simplest of the brioche.

In other news, a kitty had to go to the vet, so of course the doggie had to escort us.

Can't we go yet?! 

 

How are you all doing? Winter got you down, or knitting/crocheting up a storm?