Life at our house has been crazy of late, leaving little time for blogging.  Today I am trying to take time to catch up on things I’ve neglected.  There has been knitting behind the scenes.  The shawl I meant to wear to my brother’s wedding is nearly finished.  I did not wear it to the wedding after all.  A week before the wedding, I tried on the dress I was planning to wear.  I had only worn it once and was looking forward to wearing it again…such a gorgeous dress!  However, I discovered the dress was now several sizes too big!  I lost some weight over the past year and never stopped to consider that the dress might not fit.  So, in a fit of shopping frenzy, I looked madly for a new dress.  (Anyone else have trouble finding clothes for small sized petites?)  I found one in the nick of time, but  since the shawl I was knitting did not match, I tossed the project aside.

I am keeping up with my 12 Pairs in 12 Months sock challenge.  I finished my June socks on Monday.  I did footy socks, which means I had to knit two pairs to get credit.  Today, in a fit of inspiration, I got an idea for a sock pattern.  I charted a pattern, jotted down notes, then promptly cast on.  Details will be forthcoming when I actually have a knitted sock to show.  I am also planning baby knits…my little sister is having a girl!

Today is also Benjamin & I’s 9th anniversary!!!  It is still hard for me to believe we have been married for nine years.  He is still my best friend and my favorite person to spend time with.  Our plans for tonight include dinner and a quiet evening at home.  We were at a gathering last night, and are spending time with family and friends the rest of the week, so an evening in sounds like a nice respite.

The wedding shawl is still progressing, slowly but surely.  I AM going to finish it before the wedding - I still have a few weeks!  Last week I was distracted when some gorgeous hand dyed superwash merino roving arrived in the mail.  Have I mentioned that green is a favorite color of mine?

I immediately began to separate and pre-draft the super soft fiber.  And then I began to spin. I love seeing the way the colors build on my spindle.

My goal is to turn this roving into a 2-ply sock yarn so I can have a pair of gloriously green socks.

My current WIP is a lace shawl knit with gorgeous 100% silk dyed by Katy, the lovely Yarn Chef.  The color is the palest shade of blush that will nicely compliment the dress I’m wearing to my brother’s wedding in just a few short weeks.

Yarn: Yarn Chef’s Spun Sugar in Porcelain, 100% silk.

Pattern: Gail (aka Nightsongs) [ravelry]

So far I am doing well in the 12 Pairs in 12 Months sock challenge issued by my LYS.  My April socks are finished and the May pair has already been cast on.  I am loving the April socks and wishing it was not too warm to wear them, but I am glad that our spring has finally turned warm all at once.  The yarn is a cheerful springy green, like the colors of new leaves unfurling in the breeze.

Pattern: Kai-Mei from Sock Innovation by Cookie A.  [ravelry] This pattern is brilliantly written, and fairly simple to knit.  I am toying with the idea of knitting another version and substituting a different pattern into the lace panel.

Yarn: Yarn Chef Minestrone in Sedum.  Mmmm…like butter.  I love the way she dyes yarn, but really I only have a slight addiction.

I was well on my way to finishing my April socks when I got distracted by some yarn and had to cast on my May socks a bit early.  Oops.  I do plan to finish the April pair before the end of the week, that is if I can put the May ones down long enough.

: : April Socks : :

Kai-Mei socks from Sock Innovation, knitted with Yarn Chef Minestrone in Sedum [ravelry].  I love they way this yarn is dyed.  The colors are hard to capture in a photo, but these greens are exquisite - so cheerful and springy.

: : May Socks : :

Anastasia socks, knitted with Ancient Threads’ Sockittome in osage orange/cochineal/quebracho black [ravelry].  These sock reflect the colors I see in my neighborhood this spring…the colors of dogwoods, redbuds, and new spring leaves.