A change in plans

 Good bye Washington state. Yes I had to move back to Florida for family matters. I will miss Washington.

 Back home.....and with the family again. We celebrated the boys birthdays playing mini golf. They grew so much in a year.

 So this is what I have been knitting since the day I left Washington. Because of the move and other issues I really have not knitted for a month. Just a few rows here and there.  This sweater was supposed to be a Christmas present for my 6 yr. old grandson but now that it is almost finished it fits the 4yr. old perfect. So I have to think of something different last minute. Toys are always a good substitute.

 Christmas is here already. No knitting was done this year. This is a first in many that I have not had a pile of knitted gifts for family. This year there were more pressing matters to take care of which left no time for knitting.
A vision from the past. I knit this sweater for one of my sons and it is in such good condition and has almost come back in style hahah. It fits Jayden perfectly!

I wish you all a wonderful New Year. I hope to post a little more this year.

hints of Autumn...

 Love this local little coffee stop. There are a lot of these independent coffee shops locally. This one is on the way to the thrift store where I found a bag full of granny squares just ready to put be put together. I think I am just going to make a blanket with them for the grand-kids.

 My progress on my scarf. I purchased this yarn at a local yarn shop. I'm actually farther along than this picture and only have two more center lace squares to go before I have to sew the ends together and it will be finished!

 Hints of autumn.

 The first cool misting morning on my way to work. Lots of anti hair frizzing gel in my future.

 Up with the birds and saw this pretty sunrise from my window. Soon it will be really dark in the mornings again. I am still working on my crochet sweater except I had to rip it out twice so it is smaller than it was in the picture in my last post... sigh..

Yarn Shops!

 I know I haven't posted for awhile. One of the reasons was that I was working on the sweater above and progress was going pretty slow even though it was my only project.  After working on the sweater for a month, I'm not all that happy with how it is turning out so I put it down for a week to decide if I want to put more time into something I'm not 100% happy with. In the mean time... my son came home after three months of working back east and took me to two local yarn shops. I haven't been to a yarn shop in over a year so this was like a little bit of heaven. The first stop was Pacific fabrics and crafts. It is a fabric and yarn shop, a little bit of everything. I didn't purchase anything there but there was definitely some beautiful yarns that I have in mind for the future. 

 The second stop was Great Yarns and yes I did purchase yarn there and plan to make this my regular place to pick up yarns. They had almost every type of yarn that I love. Both yarn shops are on the same road a few miles from each other and I found out very easy to get to!

The first yarn that caught my eye in the shop was the yarn I ended up purchasing. It is by Universal Yarn and it is the Classic Shades Sequins Lite. I love the rich colors. They remind me of fall. I'm knitting the Lacy Entrelac Infinity scarf and I have actually knitted this before a few years ago. I loved how it turned out. This version will have sparkles!
I also started on my Christmas knitting list. This little crochet cardigan will be for my granddaughter. The yarn is recycled from a very large thrift store sweater and is very soft and very  pink. I think she will like it.

Washington state has been having a very long and very warm summer . Even today it is in the 80's which is really warm for this time of year. I know it wont last though and soon (like tomorrow) the weather is going to change and get cooler and rainy. Thinking ahead, I found this book at my now favorite place to buy books, Half Price Books. So many hats to choose from. I will be able to knit tons of hats for everyone on my list, including me.  Oh and of course more rubber bands. I made the grand kids a bunch of charms and bracelets. They each got one with their name on it.

 Little butterfly bracelet.

 Puppy pencil hugger.

Until next time. Hopefully now that I have started a few different projects I will post more often.

another walk..

 My weekly walk to Trader Joes and more unusual side of the road flowers. My son said they were Washington wild flowers.. a very vague description haha. I don't think he even notices them unless I'm with him pointing them out.

 These flowers below look like Hibiscus flowers of some sort. They have a different look from the Hibiscus flowers that I'm used to seeing in Florida. I'm surprised to see them in this cooler climate. 

 My knitting progress. I'm starting to get discouraged. This is not the prettiest knit sweater I have made. I think it is the nature of the yarn which has rayon, acrylic, wool, rabbit hair. It has no stretch at all and I get some loose stitches here and there that I'm unhappy with. For now I will keep working on it. If it gets any worse I will probably  put it aside. I did try it on and it is a perfect fit and very light weight. Just not sure about it at this point.

 More rubber band loomy stuff. At least these are practical haha.

did someone say rainbow.... loom?

 As you can see, not much knitting has been going on. I mostly work on this on the bus to work and on my break. I just finished separating the sleeves and putting them on holders and have started on the body. I think it will go a little fast now. Note to self... don't knit when your tired.. I had to rip out one days work that took me one day. I missed one whole row of lace... bah.

 I have discovered a new toy. I was in Joanns fabric for some buttons and thread and walked past the rubber band looms and they were 50% off so I said what the heck, it looks like fun. Well one thing led to another and I just couldn't get enough.. I had to make it all.. I ended up ordering the monster tail loom and running to Michael's craft store to purchase the original Rainbow loom and so you can see what happened.

 I then had to run out and buy some containers so there wasn't rubber bands all over the place. I don't know why.. but I find this fun and challenging. I really don't know how kids can make some of the charms and bracelets. I found them hard to make. I'm so glad I have grand-kids to send all the bracelets to!!

Sunday knitting

More local flowers.. I see this one on the way to my son's apartment.. They have no smell and almost look like giant lily of the valley.

This week I got to go to the Japanese garden in Seattle. It was really pretty and tranquil. We want to go again in the fall and spring. Every season it looks different when the flowers bloom and the leaves change color. It must be really beautiful and can't wait to go again.

This weeks knitting: The last stitch completed on my Leksak Lady sweater.

It was bathed...

and now it is drying.

A quick peek at Something Silver by Veera Välimäki. This is my new travel project until it gets too big. I would like to start a pretty lacy scarf for another take along project and I have one in mind. Just have to decide on the yarn. Happy knitting.

What is on my needles..?

 This project started as a very large thrift store find. It is a Mossimo supply co. sweater, 70% acrylic and 30% wool. The yarn is also think and thin. I really like the tones of grey. It took quite a bit to unravel. A few sweaters I have unraveled use two different balls of yarn switching them every other row which takes longer to unravel.

 The beginning of Leksak Lady...

 Body finished and picking up the front edges...

 Some very dry grass.. we are due for some rain I think..

 On to the crochet edging.. this is eating up a lot of yarn but I'm positive I will have enough to finish.

 

 One sleeve almost complete. Hopefully I will finish this sleeve tonight and pick up the second one. I'm cleaning up the apartment today. We are going to have an inspection.. what ever that is. This place is small and clean. I just need to organize some stuff to look pretty ..

 I cast on Something Silver by Veera Välimäki. I love the color of this yarn and it is a wool, acrylic,
nylon, rayon blend, also very soft and was a vintage Old Navy sweater once upon a time. I love the sweat yarn combo and my fingers are itching to work on it. As always I will concentrate on finishing Leksak Lady first.