Ahoy! I'm letting these bobbins rest to set the twist and then we will ply. Onward!

This is from the Desert Spring fiber.


Uniform Studio's Simple Shoes of Malabrigo, the butter of yarns. These bad boys knit up FAST!

That kind of instant gratification demands another pair be cast on immediately. These in Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton. Left-overs from the Baby Bobbi excess of recent past.


From radishes to raspberries. There were about 4x this many but they were very quickly consumed by Z.

Who has a new found love for puzzles. 24 pieces. The maniac :-)

In unpostable news - the 10% toque continues.

She's done. As crazy as it seems, I've been thinking of doing a couple of these little-bitty-teeny-tiny out of self-striping sock yarn. So cute, right?
A whole army of Baby Bobbi Bearocity.


Z helped launch her with an uber-squish of a hug.


The garden's starting to produce. Literally ::snork::

:-)

Let me know if you're in this neck of the woods and we can have some lovely butter and radish sandwiches.



My friend Suzanna and I made a trade. I made her a beret and she made this beautiful necklace. African Aventurine. Which helped me discover my new favorite word: Aventurescence.

Munificent is still my top favorite word. What's yours?

Will be so perfect for a big family wedding taking place this September. How about with a deep red dress? I wish it didn't have those little pockets. Maybe I can remove?

Additionally, I hope to benefit from Aventurine's most excellent properties:

Folklore, Legend, Healing Properties:

Aventurine has been used as a lucky talisman and is a popular stone for gamblers.

Legends say that it is an all-purpose healer, used to reduce stress, develop confidence, imagination and improve prosperity. A legend from ancient Tibet says that aventurine was used to improve nearsightedness and to increase the wearer's creativity.

Many believe that aventurine has the capacity to calm a troubled spirit and bring about inner peace.

Ahhh... I think it's working already.

::gasp::

I'm totally freaking out! Craigslist, for God's sake! Keri - you're psychic...


This went into b-day package for Littlest Sis. She received this a.m. (and is already almost done with a little elephant!) so it's safe to post. You know it's a good gift when you'd like to keep it for yourself. :-)


Insert Tarzan yell.

Fascinating! Johnny Wiessmuller rocks my world.

The busy days of summer. Baby Bobbi Bear well underway.
One Red Boot is right. She does kind of look like a big wisdom tooth.
I wanted to finish her in time to send with the b-day package to Lil Sis but, alas...



Strawberries are in! This bin is one of three.

Simple math - that's 30 lbs. of wholesome goodness!

• Some have been eaten with cream for breakfasts and snacks.
  
• Others will become Strawberry Kanten with Creamy Topping from Hip Chicks Guide to Macrobiotics. An unappetizing name for an awesome dish.
  
• The balance are destined for Strawberry Brandy from The Art of Preserving. Certain to save lives in February. :-)
  I mean, really, you can only be SO good. :-)

Z's been learning to swing solo. Pump those legs, little man! To which he responds, "I'm not a widdle man. I'm a big man."

Jessicah is in on my super secret mission for Monday. Blogging friends rock. I'm so stinking excited...

The last Baby Bobbi Bear begun. Totally rocking with the provisional cast on. Such glorious color! Recent garden blooms demand her name be "Rosie".


View of Ester flat - the key to knitting her in a single circular piece. Challenge: knitting the pattern from the top down & bottom up at the same time.


Malabrigo swatching. All will soon be revealed.


And Malabrigo stash enhancement (I simply can't help myself) from a new LYS. I now have (1) a health food store, (2) dream daycare, (3) the perfect hair salon, (4) quality yoga, and (5) LYS - all easily accessible.

What have I done to deserve this? :-)


Hammie's been chillin' on the slide all day. When he's not chasing down the "chislers", that is. Dewormer on the way.


Giant pillow tower. Extreme Sporting at it's best.

Ester's done... or is she?
Check out the KAL site for more photos, feedback, and a proposed addition. Would love to hear your opinions.

Yummy yarn arrived for 10% Toque. This is a super secret surprise
(well, not so much since he reads "ye olde blogge") so I won't be posting pics until after July 10. Let's just say I'm totally excited about the pattern and hope he'll love it. Cuz I love him (xoxoxo...)


More results from my recent Nigella enthusiasm. Breakfast Banana Ring.

Super Easy, Super Yummy. Way too good, in fact, to get a photo taken before the majority of the cake was devoured. Hello Nutella!


And another Nigella. Andy's Fairfield Granola.



I find it so satisfying when the results are well aligned with the expectations. :-)

Completed Suzanna's beret. Really love the koigu colors. Also makes me want to learn to dye. Life really is too short.

Strongly recommend the Purl Bee beret pattern. A great foundation. Now that I've mastered this I'm ready to start experimenting! :-)



June YOTM Swatched (clockwise from upper left).

1. Maraja by Ornaghi Filati
   knit out at 4.75 sts/inch on US 8s
   35% Cotton, 33% Acrylic, 32% Polyester
   Surprised by how well I like this. Would make a lovely "fancy" knit bag. Had a nice little twinkle to it.
   
   
2. Luna by Cascade Yarns
   4.5 sts/inch on US 7s - this knit to projected gauge
   100% Cotton
   Would also knit a lovely string shoppers bag.
   
   
3. Hemp for Knitting DK by LanaKnits
   5 sts/inch on US 5s
   100% Hemp
   Why'd they need to specify that it's for knitting? Do desperate knitters try to light up? Very stiff yarn. Going to try this little swatch in the sink. Attempting to replace the Scotchbrite dish sponges. It may give good scrub.
   
   
4. June by Nashua Handknits
   5.5 sts/inch on US 5s
   100% Acrylic
   Knit fine but have no idea why I'd ever choose to use this yarn for a project. Nothing distinctive.
   

I love living in the country. When you go pick up your babysitter she asks if you need eggs. :-)


Cap'n Cozie Coupe says "Arrr..."
Note: dough hook from our Kitchen Aid!




Which we had out to make cookies.
The stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas.

Totally grooving on Nigella's Feast cookbook.
These were super easy and yummy. Note: usage of past tense.

Ester is blocking.

Peonies are about to burst.


Z is enjoying his backyard slide (while I knit in the background).

Ahh... The days of heaven.

Knitters Virtual Vacation Swap

So excited I made it in for the Knitters Virtual Vacation Swap!
There's still time and a few open spots if you'd like to join to.



create your own visited country map



1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?
Maine - the sea, the beach, the mountains, the blueberries, the lobster, and to remember the summer I met my husband and many of the other most important people in my life.
or Texas, cause it's always nice to visit home.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?
Somewhere I've never been before. New Zealand? Bhutan? Japan? Would definitely go back to South Africa, or any of the other spots I've visited.

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?
Oh yeah - from St. Louis, Mo down through OK and TX across the deep south and up along Rt 1 through the Blue Ridge Mountains to NE US all the way to Maine (see #1). I've hit 41 states in the US (80%) and 12 countries in all (only 5%). I've got a lot of work to do.
Check your own stats at http://www.world66.com/myworld66

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?
Hong Kong and Sao Paolo felt exotic. So did Poland (Warsaw-a blur of borscht and cured meats and Krakow-where I ate the best fried egg of my life) and South Africa.

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?
Love our annual winter warm weather escape to a beach destination. Really happy anywhere I can relax with my family.

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.
Absolutely - canoe trips, zoos, museums, trying new restaurants. I have a 3 yr old. I have to start introducing him to world somehow.

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?
Yes to all.

8. What's your favorite type of yarn?
Natural fibers, for the most part. Unique colors. Soft, soft, soft.

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?
Novelty. Scratchy.

10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?
Berets, teddy bears, socks, sweaters, dishcloths, legwarmers, shrugs - most everything.

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?
Sock and beret projects.

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?
Cook and sew.

13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)
nope

14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?
Love greens. Don't like day-glo.

15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?
Both: one after the other after the other after the...

16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?
not desperately

A couple hours in flight can really help you zip through some stockinette. Hope to finish Suzanna's beret in the coming days.

Before this pic never realized how closely this colorway resembles weathered painted wood. In a good way.


Received a promotional coupon from Borders for 30% off any reg priced item so picked up a little resource book. Jackpot.

Used the tip for joining the first round of a circular item (cast on an extra stitch then when joining round, slip the first stitch on the right needle to the left needle and k2tog for the first stitch) and am very happy with the result.


June's YOTM is out. Pattern for a shopping bag and the main feature (clockwise from top left):

1. Maraja by Ornaghi Filati
   4.5 sts/inch on US 8s
   35% Cotton, 33% Acrylic, 32% Polyester
   
   
2. Luna by Cascade Yarns
   4.5 sts/inch on US 7s
   100% Cotton
   
   
3. Hemp for Knitting DK by LanaKnits
   5.5 sts/inch on US 5s
   100% Hemp
   
   
4. June by Nashua Handknits
   5.5 sts/inch on US 5s
   100% Acrylic
   

Scale of Baby Bobbi with Z as reference. One more bear to go.

Ordered the Flicca pattern and have a few obligations to complete before ordering her yarn and knitting something for myself (there's a concept!)

Saturday is World Wide Knit in Public Day! I hope to hook up with Sara+h and others in Minnie that morning. Get your knit on!

Baby Bobbi II. King of all he surveys.

Keri of Knitty Gritty Thoughts has asked for my pattern modifications. I've got one more bear in the queue and she's in the midst of a move (pop over to wish her luck and fortitude). I'll compile and deliver when the next bear's done. You can check the Blue Sky Alpaca's corrections/additions here.

Z's already off to bed or I'd give you a scale shot with a 3 yr old. Next time. Check out at the last one. He's a big bear.


Cast on a Purl Bee Beret for Suzanna. I loves me the Koigu.



Cooking from the America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.


This is the Broccoli variation with raisins and pine nuts. I'm seriously into this cookbook... and this broccoli. If Z will eat it, and it's green, and it's healthy, I'm all over it.


Lastly, I give you Spiderman. If I'd ever figure out how to load my digital movies onto youtube you could have the full effect. Just imagine: tearing through the house and screaming "fwap, fwap, fwap..."

Potty training continues very well. I'm fully convinced that every second of psychic energy I devoted to this process prior to Z being ready was a complete waste of resources.

I'm off to Chicago for a night.
Such a sucker for a short stay in a nice hotel - by myself. :-)