Still Kicking

"Life" has just gotten in the way of blogging lately. I guess we all know how that is!
We've been busy doing a lot of spring cleaning, gardening, spring shopping (these kids grow SO FAST!) and I've been doing a lot of reading. It's funny, but when I'm reading a lot it's because my "knitting mojo" took a vacation on me. For a bit there I start to feel real panic because of all the yarn in the closet and my fingers don't want to grab any needles! It's a tad bit scary, but eventually it comes back around and I'm able to make things work again. Slowly but surely.

A few of my latest projects done randomly in the past few months. (Notice how small I've kept things?)

Pattern: Glacial Gauntlets Of The Wolf
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in Solis colorway
Size 1 needles
Teal beads - Size 6 - from AC Moore
Beads put on with crochet hook but you can pre-string as well.
Mods: 5 extra rows on thumb. Around 15 extra for hand length. Beads only on top side and omitted from top of thumb.

These are for my Mom. She loves this color and honestly, I keep putting them on and I'm thinking of making myself a pair too. They feel so good! My only quip: If I do make them again I'll change the thumb, it feels too low even with the extra rows added.

Honestly, this was a tough project for me, I wasn't in the mood to knit at all but some friends were doing a KAL, and I have tons of beads, so I just decided to quit being such a fuddy-duddy and join for once. Starting anything is hard when you don't feel like it but I'm so glad I can still knit! Whew.
Next:

Pattern: Cupcake Pincusion
Crocheted for my friend Marie's Granddaughter. She's learning how to sew so I sent her some pins to decorate the top for herself. She's had some serious medical problems so we just wanted to send her something to take her mind off of things for a bit. She's a very brave little girl. I believe she's doing better now, slowly but surely so that's a good thing.
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Size E hook

Pattern: Chevron Eyeshade
Yarn: Cascade Fixation
Needle: Size 3
This is for my Mom as well. Just a fun little item for Mother's Day to add to her goodie-bag. Really, when your knitting mojo is gone, these small things are a godsend. This does flip up when it's on, but one gal on Ravelry just turns it the other way (purl side up) and it stays on fine.

Last but not least:

Pattern: Broadripple
Yarn: Cascade Fixation
Size 2 ML
Mods: Only do pattern on leg portion, I like the foot part plain.
Everything was totally cool with these until:

I have no idea how this happened. It wasn't KITTY KAT related at all, I'm sure of that - and it looks like a "cut" rather than a dropped stitch. I don't remember them getting caught when I zipped them in a small mesh bag to wash, but I suppose that could've caused it. Anyway, they've been "sort of" darned by me and luckily with this yarn you can't really see how bad my sewing skills are. Mom will still wear them, she loves how this yarn feels. Total bummer but they survived. If I had more yarn I would've just re-knit them.

BTW, they took for-ev-er to finish.

I am pretty jazzed lately about my newest learning experience:

My friend Helen is going to attempt to teach me how to spin. God Bless her, she has a lot of patience with me and she needs it. I ask her a million questions in about five seconds.  She let me take her Ashford home to practice treadleing.

Sasha says "HEY! Where's the Kitty?" because she smells Mac I'm sure. (Helen's Kitty).  If I could, I'd steal Mac, he's a big ham and so sweet! I have to get a picture of his pretty green eyes one day. So, I'm off to practice treadleing. (Is that a word??)

Happy Spring, Happy Knitting, and Happy Whiskers on Wednesday!