Serpentine is Fine

Started the Sockamania pattern, Serpentine. The pattern is interesting, yet it's relatively easy to remember. The Nancy Bush pattern which I just completed was so complicated, that I had to enlarge the charted pattern and tally the rows. The serpentine pattern is toe-up, and is the second pair that I've done using the technique. The toe-up was fine, however, I'm having a problem with (ignoring) the gauge. The difference in gauge was 6 1/2 sts per inch (my sock) to 8 inches (pattern). Oh well, after all the knitting I've done, I should know better!



Time to begin again!

Joined Sockamania

Who can resist a sock knitalong with a new original pattern each month AND a prize drawing for those who complete the sock during the month? This one looks like fun! I'm going to set aside the current project (ok, projects!) and make July's sock! It's toe-up and called Serpentine! Many thanks to Anni for the knitalong, her patterns, and her hard work.

As I currently have too much yarn, I will try to:




See Wendy's rules for "Knitting from the stash"; especially the exceptions. :)

Sunday at Block Island

Spent a wonderful Sunday on Block Island. The temperature at home was forecast to be over 90 degrees, and a day trip to the shore was just the thing to do. The ferry ride seemed to go quickly, even for my landlubber DH. It had been years since I last visited, when the children were babies. The Island, in many instances was the same- the "downtown harbour area" had the same hotels and buildings, however, there was much that was different. There seemed to be a great deal more bicycle and moped rentals, and a few more storefronts.
When we originaly planned the trip, we thought that we might rent mopeds, but instead, decided to walk. I think that some of the things that we saw that day we would have missed on a moped. We walked a couple of nature conservacy trails, saw some interesting birds:














and an unexpected collection of animals which a hotel kept.

I'm not even sure what animal this was, way up in the pasture. It might be a Yak, or water buffalo, or something else? It was very shaggy. The only sign called this animal Mr. McGruff, and warned people to stay away from its horns.














We had lunch and a drink in a nice hotel restaurant which had a large covered porch.
By the end of the day, we were exhausted by all the walking: along the shore, nature trails, through town. Maybe next time we'll try the mopeds, and a swim.

Still knitting, but not blogging

Completed..........a Nancy Bush sock pattern, using a very soft, handpainted merino. The pattern was called "Canal Du Midi", from her Knitting on the Road book. It has an intricate pattern in the center of the sock. It may not show up very well in this picture:

Last Sunday afternoon, I went to a Stitch 'n Bitch meeting. It's a fun, chatty group, and it's always interesting to see what everyone is working on. The topic of yarn winders and swifts came up, and Karen mentioned that there were easy directions for a swift on www.craftster.org. Found the pattern last week, and put it together between Saturday and Sunday. The hardest part was finding the parts at the local home improvement store, especially the dowels. Although easy to put together, it took a bit longer than the 2-3 hour estimate. It works pretty well, and comes apart easy for storage.


Currently on the needles is the first sock of a pair of black socks (Cherry Tree Hill), which will most likely be a Christmas present.

It's been such beautiful weather, that I've been knitting outside on the deck, and even at the beach! The cats have been spending more time outdoors, hunting and lounging. Here's Mindy: