With the girls back in school the last two weeks, I have found myself needing a project to keep my hands busy while I sit at volleyball games, piano lessons and the like. I immediately wanted to pick up some knitting needles, buy new yarn and get busy. But, in a huge effort to just use what I have, I finally dug out my knitting bag yesterday.

Let me tell you, it was a hot mess. 2 unfinished sweaters, piles of needles, a bunch of papers - all jumbled up.

I haven't picked up any kind of knitting since last August when I all but completed my Sullivan. Now wait, I take that back. I did finish knitting the applied i-cord sometime in the winter or spring when I wanted the yarn for granny squares. With just two underarm seams to kitchner and all the ends to weave in, I abandoned it for the crochet hook. I know. Silly me. 

I took the bag with me as I sat at the gym door collecting admissions for volleyball games. I pulled out the Sullivan (which also looked like a hot mess), borrowed a tapestry needle from a friend (yes, not a single one in the bag, and yes, lucky to have a knitter in the gym) and got to work. By the time my shift was over, it was ready for blocking.

This one is going to be a beauty. I just know it.

Next up, the unfinished blue tea leaves. Now if I could just remember what size needle I used two years ago, those sleeves would be done in no time at all. Or maybe I should go back to my Elizabeth Zimmerman fair isle number. That just needs button and buttonhole bands. Decisions, decisions.

Hey. Long time no see.

I finally got around to almost finishing my Sullivan sweater that I started back in August. I just had to three needle bind off the shoulders and knit the applied i-cord. I got just as far as necessary so I could liberate the rosewood Lark for the granny squares. This weekend, I'll get out the tapestry needle and weave in all the ends. Then it's blocking time.

Or maybe I'll just make more granny squares. I like watching the pile grow. That sounds like more fun.

Happy weekend to you.

This is The New Sweetie Pie hat from the Purl Bee. I knew as soon as I saw it that I wanted to knit one for myself, but I also had the good sense to wait until after the holiday rush to start any kind of project. While in Telluride, I popped into Needle Rock Fiberarts and bought a luscious skein of Aslan Trends Royal Alpaca and the requisite needles. I gauged that night, cast on the next day and knit until the crown decrease. At that point, it went in the suitcase for the flight home. And once here, I finished knitting it on New Year's Eve. This morning I wove the ends in and popped it on my head without blocking. I wore it on a cold, but sunny winter's walk and kept it on most of the afternoon, inside the house and out. I love it!

It had been awhile since I had any desire to knit. The last project I started is still on the needles, just waiting for me to cast off the shoulders, stitch up the arm holes and block it. Sad, I know, but true. (I also started that on a vacation...maybe there is a pattern here?) But this hat was a complete joy to knit. Not that the Sullivan sweater wasn't. This one promises almost instant gratification, it being small and all. The pattern is well written and the mini cables were super easy and very fun to make. I'd do it again. Really, I most probably will.

I don't have grand knitting goals for this year. I'll probably just cast on according to my whims. If anything, I may start another crocheted afghan. And sewing-wise, there is one quilt I definitely want to finish, my weekend sewing dress hand stitching to complete and a few household projects that are highest on my list. I'd like to draw more. I have some ideas which have been percolating for months that involve paint and fabric and sewing combined. I have a first-time interest in more serious paper crafting/scrapbooking - where that came from I'm not sure, but I'm rolling with it. But truly, what I especially love about a new year, a clean slate, an open book is that I don't know where it will take me. Most often, it's an adventure of the best kind.

I hope you'll join me.

fabrics for camera straps...

hat patterns for stashed yarn...

backing and binding options.

And you? What are contemplating today?

We scooted off to a lake house for a last minute vacation. It was wonderful - cooler temps, lots of relaxation, many hours just hanging out, knitting, family bike rides, games, morning runs, movie nights. It was the perfect end to summer break. Coming home, we drove into town during a big storm, arriving at the house to tree branches across the driveway and no electricity. Two days later, the power was back on, the laundry started and lunch boxes unearthed, skirts hemmed, supplies purchased. This morning Hazel and I walked to the girls to the bus, waving to them as it drove away. And so it starts....another school year.

It was a nice break. And suprisingly good to be away from all things computer related. That said, it does feel good to be back.

Did I mention knitting?

I've almost finished my Sullivan. Really...I'm *this* close to having it off the needles. I probably logged over 40 hours of knitting in the last 12 days. I can't remember how long it's been since I've been so intent on finishing a knitting project. But I do remember why I don't knit as much as I used to - dang wrist issues. Anyhow, this has been a fun knit and I love how the Quince & Co. Lark knits up. I'm a little smitten with the color, too. A full show and tell will be coming soon.

Until then, tell me what you have been up to. I'm all ears.

As soon as the calendar said late July, I got the urge to knit.

It happens every year, just like clockwork. I spied the Sullivan cardigan over on Pinterest and then ordered two different yarns to see which I'd prefer. While I love the Shelter by Brooklyn Tweed (on the right) - it's tweedy and a beautiful color, has lots of spring - in the end, I decided to go with the Lark by Quince & Co. The color is called dogwood and it is slightest pink which will round out all the black, gray and green sweaters in my closet.

Other things that have caught my attention lately:

I read this article on how to talk to young girls and it really made me think. Why is it that we often start conversations with other females with something about their appearance? I know I am guilty of that from time to time myself. This approach is a much smarter one.

I'm enjoy peeking behind the scenes at Blue Sparrow Press and am anxious for the shop's opening. Heather made me some letterpress cards for my birthday and they are beyond beautiful.

I am very excited about Lotta Jansdotter's new fabric line for Windham Fabrics.

Habit is back this month with a great group of guests. I really missed my daily visit in July so I was super happy to see them post yesterday.

That's all for now. I'm still sewing away on the Swoon blocks. 5 down, 4 to go!

I started knitting the color change scarf from the Purl Bee.  I'm probably crazy.

I hate lace knitting.  But this pattern is so easy, I've already memorized it.

The yarn is more like string.  But it's very satisfying to create something out of what seems like nothing.

This project is going to take patience.  That is not one of my character strengths.

What was I thinking?  The colors are so pretty.

I started knitting the color change scarf from the Purl Bee.  I'm probably crazy.

I hate lace knitting.  But this pattern is so easy, I've already memorized it.

The yarn is more like string.  But it's very satisfying to create something out of what seems like nothing.

This project is going to take patience.  That is not one of my character strengths.

What was I thinking?  The colors are so pretty.