Rainy Weather Knitting

We've had lots of rain and once in a while a beautiful Fall day thrown in around here of late. Yesterday it was beautiful, temperature in the 50's and today it's been gray and rainy and this next week looks like the same is continuing (the rainy part, that is).

Good knitting weather though. I finished up one project and got quite a bit done on two others:

My Cozy Thermal Mitts are finished!


And, working on these two hats:

Troop Hat in beautiful Sunshine Yarn Worsted in Bitterroot. This is going off to Afghanistan for troops to wear and keep their ears warm while off duty.


and this Waffle Hat for hubby with beautiful Sunshine Yarns in Edward's Volvo Worsted:

Progress

I've been working on my Cozy Thermal Mitts and just love this yarn and the pattern. This is my first attempt at any kind of gloves/mittens and these being fingerless helps keep it simple. I've already cast on for the 2nd mitt and am sure it will go pretty fast now that I have everything figured out.


You may have noticed the "countdown clock" on the upper right of my blog. There are a number of gals in my knitting group who are all going on the train to Portland, visit a few yarn shops, eat at some special place, and come home the same day. We'll get in a lot of fun, knitting, etc....

Too Many WIPS's

I have a serious case of "startitis". I'm working on my Thermal Mitts

but have received a couple of skeins of cashmere to make Christmas gifts for my daughters, just today received this Luxury Sportweight, which will make another pair of fingerless mitts or maybe "duckie" socks.

and........I have at least 6 or 8 uncompleted projects. Get to it, Darlene.

A Day at the Beach!

We had a beautiful get-a-way at the beach (Ocean Shores) the last couple of days. The temperature was in the low 70's, no wind, full sunshine - couldn't ask for anything better. We did some serious beach-walking, a little casino playing and all in all a wonderful time with our friends.

Yarn Enabler!!!

Found another source of beautifully dyed yarn..this one located in the Seattle area...called Stricken Smittin.

I've received these two skeins of yarn from them just recently.

First...is fingering/sock yarn in The Spice Trade:

and the second is Aran Twist in Aubriana:
I've cast on the "Cozy Thermal Mitts" pattern by Karen Everitt, and they're looking beautiful in this deep burgundy/purple colorway. I'm thinking someone may get a pair of fingerless mitts for Christmas.

We're leaving in the morning for a couple of days in Ocean Shores, traveling with some friends. I'll be getting in some knitting time in addition to playing, beach walking (if the weather is decent), and visiting. Looking forward to a get-a-way.

Our Trip South and Back

Over a week ago, hubby and I traveled to southern Idaho for his All-Class Reunion at Weiser, Idaho. It's a long 9-hour drive, but on the good side, I got lots of knitting time in. I worked on this One Row Lace Scarf by Turvid in beautiful Willow Green in Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK. I finished up one ball, and didn't bring any additional along, so had to work on another project that took too much attention to be done in the car (or anywhere else for that matter). The Bamboo yarn is delightful to work with, draping nicely and definitely shows off the lacy pattern.
After spending five days in the Boise area (temp in the high 70's and low 80's), we headed back north. Stopped in the Tri-Cities area and stayed with our daughter, son-in-law and our two grandchildren, as well as son-in-laws parents who were visiting from Kansas. Was good to see everyone - watched g-daughter practice with her swim team; had a little excitement when their BBQ caught on fire, well-seared the meat on the grill, and melted the knobs, etc. so we went out for pizza.

We headed home the next day and drove through Mt. Rainier National Park on Hwy 410 over Cayuse and Chinook Pass. Stopped and took lots of pictures as the scenery was spectacular. First time we had traveled this way - it's a little longer, but very beautiful. Saw spots of snow up at the top, and of course Mt. Rainier has lots of snow.
When I got home, I had this waiting for me in my mailbox: Sunshine Yarns Merino Worsted in Edward's Volvo color. This is for a knit hat for hubby. Now all I have to do is get him to tell me which pattern he wants - and this may be a chore.
Spent today with the wonderful laundry catch-up, and hopefully can get in some knit time tomorrow.

Labor Day Weekend Good Stuff

Can't believe I'm blogging two days in a row, but wanted to show you what I'll be sending away soon to the person coordinating the preemie hat collection for the Univ. of Maryland Hospital Foundation:


These little hats are so addictive and so fast to knit, it's hard to quit making them. But I do have other things to knit, and other things to do besides knit (called a life)so I'm taking a break.
This weekend we have family coming from eastern Washington with two of our grandkids, and we'll be getting together with the other two grandkids on the western side of the state for a great weekend. We have two more grandaughters from the east side, but they're older and both working - and we will miss them.