More footies

It's amazing. Since I started knitting footies, it seems like they are popping up all over the web. There's a pattern on the Yahoo Handknit Socks group. And there's one at MagKnits. I do have several pairs planned, so I guess I'm going to have to branch out and try all the patterns. I'm not quite done with the purple pair.

I've also cast on for the Fluted Banister Socks from the Six Socks Yahoo group. Yeah, I'm just a little behind. Actually I just enjoy the chatter and to pick and choose. There are some excellent patterns that have come out of that group and I highly recommend it to all sock knitters. Tomorrow (June 1) is the announcement of the next pattern.

I spent most of the Memorial Day weekend in bed with the horrible chest cold. Much better now. I'm hoping to sleep without weezing tonight. I felt so bad over the weekend that I actually didn't knit at all. Can you imagine!

Footie

The first Mom's Fast Florida Footie is off the needles. I'm working on the heel flap of sock number 2. Lynn's no purl heel flap makes a real nice cushy heel and I think it looks nice too. I'm making this pair exactly according to the pattern with a cast on of 44 stitches. They fit the 10 year old. Next pair up will be a bit bigger around.

Here's the finished Lace Ribbon facecloth - the Fiber Trends pattern. Now to find out how to block cotton. Seems silly to block a facecloth meant to be used, but it will present better.

Here's a close up of the edge. So pretty!

Finally the rhododendrons are about to burst forth. I do have the late blooming variety, but it seems that spring has really been dragging it's feet.

Finished Bathing Beauties (Fiber Trends pattern). What a nice little lace project. Cotton yarn from Elann. Next up, the Columns of Lace facecloth from the same pattern pack.

Things are finished and things have been started

First day with a new bike! DD bought it with her own money on Sunday and she's been test driving it ever since!

Thanks to AAUW I received this beautiful boquet of flowers. They smell as good as they look.

The socks are finished and I'm wearing them as we speak. Very comfy. It's Elann's version of Cascade cotton with elastic.

And the next project is Mom's Fast Florida Footies for DD. I'm enjoying the pattern. The sole is knit with purl stitches on the outside and I've notice where I switch from knit to purl I'm getting a big space. Not a problem where I go back from purl to knit. I've decided that when I reach the toes, I'm going to take a crochet hook and create a new column of stitches with the bars in the space to fill it all in. (I'm so clever....lol!)

Here's the link to the Elizabeth I lace scarves. Very pretty and I do have an appreciation for anything historical (especially from one of my favorite queens!)

Sock number 2 almost done!

The socks are nearing completion.

Here's a scarf that I'm trying out my "Incredible" ribbon yarn with. I think I need bigger needles for more drape.

I've also been checking out the Elizabeth I lace scarf patterns from KnitPicks. The price is right and the scarfs are right down my alley. I like the historical connection too.

Finished dishcloth!

Finished dishcloth! The color in the photo is very poor. But it turned out beautiful and it's in the mail to it's intended recipient today!

I got this beautiful hanging strawberry plant for Mother's Day (at my request) Here's hoping the strawberries are sweet!

I got my mom this Volcano Rock plant. Looks like an orchid to me.. but it's very neat and truly is growing on a piece of volcanic rock.

Anonymous commented last week that she, too, would like a circular dishcloth. Here's a start. I'm to the point in knitting that after one more increase I'm going to have to decide on which of the two patterns to follow. I'm leaning towards the one on the top -- Doily Style Dishcloth.

Here's a shot of the circlar dishcloth. As you can see I didn't get it put together last night. Things like that happen when you have access to high-speed wireless internet:)

Here's a close up of my mini-ripple sock. No, I didn't get to the heel flap as predicted, but you can really see how the stitch pattern and the color works together. I'm anxious to get these done so I can wear them!

Shrubbery

For any of you that appreciate Monty Python, we went to visit "Roger, the Shrubber" yesterday. Actually we went to Hoffman's Nursery in Stoystown, PA. Their motto is "If it grows in Pennsylvania, we have it." And they're not kidding. Actually, I don't believe that Roger, the shrubber was on site, but he'd have been proud. Stoystown where Hoffman's is located is really in the middle of no where. It was a very cloudy, overcast, drizzly, and foggy day. To get there from here entails a drive over a mountain on a two lane highway. The Lincoln Highway to be exact. It was an adventure through the fog, but well worth the trip.

Here's the dwarf Alberta Spruce. One for each side of the front steps.

And here's the Coral Bells. I think we'll need to make another trip to pick up two more coral bells and a mountain laural bush. Coral Bells were a favorite of my paternal grandmother. They remind me of her, plus they're beautiful.

I'm coming to you all tonight via a WYFI ( I think that's how you spell it) It's wireless internet service. And it's very FAST! Much faster than dial-up or the DSL that I have at work. We're going to have to look into this!

There was some knitting this weekend. My MIL really likes round dishcloths. A great place to find dishcloth patterns is at the Dishcloth Botique. In the right size they make a great placemat. So, I thought I'd whip up a few in her colors to send off for Mother's Day. She's having knee replacement surgery on the 5th and will be in the hospital for Mother's Day, but we'll be sending off a box for her for when she gets home. I'm using Peaches and Creme cotton kitchen yarn in a white, blue, green color way. All done but the connecting of the last wedge to the first wedge. Hopefully, I'll have a photo tomorrow.