Today is the First Day of the Rest of My Life!

I'm breaking out of the dishcloth rut I've been in (have somewhere around 45 of them). I lack self-confidence in doing socks or a topdown vest or cardi, so found this (La La's Simple Shawl)and a scarf pattern (Spectrum Scarf) that I wanted to do. So I hit two yarn shops today, bought the yarn (for the shawl I got Cascade 220 Painted in a wine/navy blend); and for the scarf I'll knit two colors together (Tatamy Tweed in Wine and in a Natural w/wine specks). Had to buy another Addi - a size 10 - 47", as mine are all smaller ones. So now can hardly wait to get off this computer and onto knitting. I also joined the Monthly Knitalong at Pacific Fabrics in Puyallup for a monthly meetup with assistance and conversation.

Beautiful Picture at the top of my Blog

This picture was taken in 2007 at Butchart Gardens, Vancouver, BC. Our friends from Nampa had never been there, so we all went up and had a wonderful time. If you've never been there, it's absolutely fabulous. We've been in Spring, Summer and between Christmas and New Years when everything is lit up with Christmas lights, and never fail to be in awe of it all.

It seems I spend way too much time visiting other's Blog sites and not enough time knitting. But, it sure is fun to see what a lot of talented people out there are making. I have a lot of faves and queues, as well as PDF files copied (probably enough projects to last my lifetime!) Just today I joined the Yorkshire Yarns Lunch Bunch in Lakewood (about 18 miles away). They meetup weekly so am hoping to go there and get the "push" I need to start making something other than dishcloths. Several years ago I took a sock class, using the 4 needles. I made a pair or two, but want to learn the 2 socks on 2 circular needles. I have Antje Gillingham's book, "Knitting Circles Around Socks", but just not in the mood to teach myself. I'm waiting for a class at one of my LYS. Are there any of you out there who have taught yourself this method from a book?

What's Been Going On

Today was knitting "meet-up" day at the Austin Chase coffeehouse in Graham. There were six of us, 4 old-timers and 2 new ones. It was nice to meet Ann and Stacye. I'm still working on dishcloths, but am getting closer and closer to trying socks and a cardigan. The "pros" at the meet-up convinced me I could do the Mr. Green Jeans cardigan. It's a top-down style, so this afternoon I'm looking into some yarn and needles to give it a try. Everyone's so helpful and the 3 of them have finished theirs, so I'm a little more comfortable with trying this. I'm also going to be looking for a swift and ball-winder at a reasonable price (does that mean cheap? Yes!).