The real reason I have no small talk?

My Friday involved yard work and cleaning out the drain on my washing machine. After such less than pleasant tasks, one which involved me laying on my hard floor taking out and putting in screws as well as grossness...
I figured I would allow myself some down time over the weekend, Saturday in particular.  Unsurprisingly, I have knit.  What is surprising is that it has been almost entirely on one project:

This is the Elemental Shawl by Renee Leverington  It is a mystery knit along from a designer that I have consistently enjoyed for years.  I have just started clue three, clue four came out yesterday, and there is one more clue to go.  I am using Ella Rae Rustic Lace Quad in Everest and rainbow peacock seed beads (that you can't see in the photo; it's overcast).  I just keep knitting.  The lace is intuitive, the beading uncomplicated.  It needs to be put on a longer cable at this point, but I would have to stop knitting to find one.
I've also put a few rounds on my first Autumn League Pullover done in KnitPicks Mighty Stitch in Ash pulled from the yarn stash.  It's an easier project to knit in bed than the lacework.

I did get out the bits and bobs I plan on putting on my themed Julgran sweater that I really haven't done much more than cast on.  Really need to work faster on that.

Throw in a few loads of laundry and watering my plants...and that is my weekend.  And to be perfectly honest, it's been rather awesome.  I am a homebody.  I am also that person who will have cookies and other snacks on offer if you show up at my door....but you will also have to carry the conversation.  That is, unless we get on to politics, religions, history, crafting (of any sort) or gardening...then you will probably wish I would shut up. :-)

My knitting isn't all gray....

It does seem like it right now though.

The yarns at the top and bottom of the photo are destined to be Autumn League sweaters. Not fancy, but comfy pullovers that I can throw in the washer without worry.
The project in the middle is Elemental Shawl by Renee Leverington, being worked in Ella Rae Rustic Lace Quad in Everest.   I'm only just starting clue 2, but it's been a highly enjoyable knit so far.

Then there is the knitting not quite cast on yet:

The ball of laceweight is Northbound Knitting in their Artemesia colorway that is going to try and be a Carrollton Top once I manage to cast on the endless number of stitches, (I did math for the gauge I liked and have to go up a few sizes).
The pile of KnitPicks Diadem DK I pulled from the yarn stash, I think is going to become a Modesty cardigan.  I'm thinking I will likely forego the button closure.

Gothic Angel MKAL starts in October...and the yarn I have picked is gray, but not here yet.

And just to prove my knitting hasn't been all bland, my vanilla (okay maybe a little bland) socks in one of Potion Yarns hand painted sock blanks, I really love her yarn too...she is also quite charming.  Yes, I am still working on them, but knitting progress has been slow, I've been tired.

Speaking of tired; I posted a photo of myself earlier after a bout of insomnia and my son politely letting me know the makeup wasn't really hiding anything, but having to go out anyway (grocery shopping must be done)...and then posted the worst one out of the set.  I had meant to post this one:

The one where I didn't look as wide eyed crazy scary.  Ah well.  On the upside there is now  Halloween candy within arms reach:

I foresee a relaxing Saturday evening filled with podcasts, knitting and chocolate (and an earlier bedtime). 

Knitting, Sewing and a Quick Personal Update

I felted a bag!  And it looks like a bag! Not something that feels like it should have fangs and googly eyes!

It's the Big Boho Bag, (one of my favorite movies for scale).  It's simple, black and will actually hold my wallet as well as my knitting, not just one or the other.
I also cast on a dress, because that back lace panel!

Knitting up in KnitPicks Dishie, Jalapeno colorway.  It's actually been a really lovely knit.  It seems like it's going to be a slightly fancy tee shirt type dress that will get lots of wear.  I adjusted the gauge (and did math) so the cotton is working up in a way that is less stressful on my hands than usual while not being see through.
I may have splurged just a bit and gotten the Dolores kit...and her matching Rhinebeck outfit. 

At some point in the near future she will even get cast on.  Yes, it's a bit silly, but she's wonderful!

I got fabric for project bags.  I cobbled a design together in my head, still need to draft it out.

And celestial glow in the dark fabric for pajamas because it will make them awesome:

As to the quick personal update:

Husband is still away for work.  It's been seven solid months with no official end date in sight.  I may still avoid any conversation that involves being emotionally honest about how I am doing.  Meltdowns do not get laundry done nor bills paid.  An emotional breakdown is tentatively planned for no earlier than mid 2019.  I may have time then.

Helping both kids through yet more college paperwork and setting up their business stuff, (Daughter is now experimenting with yarn dyeing as well).
Always calming endeavors.

There is a reason I knit.

Speaking up...and also I grew an avocado

So, I was scrolling through Instagram this morning when I came across a post from Isabelle (@fluffyfibers)  It got me thinking; why shouldn't we be allowed to openly express our views and be makers?  What is wrong with taking the stand that people are not things and we should speak up for those with no voice (to badly paraphrase Sir Terry Pratchett)?
Isabelle is far more eloquent than I, so I highly recommend reading her post.

Craftivism is a thing.  I have participated.  It is not fringe behavior, nor is it really edgy or even new.
There are millions of knitters and crocheters and weavers and spinners in this world. Many of us are already connected on some platform or another. We are global. What sort of change could fiber artists make if we came together on that sort of scale? What could we accomplish if we joined with other makers?

I personally think making societal change and knitting socks at the same time would be amazing.

Also, avocado seedling!

I spent the weekend sewing....

And now feel the need to show off what I've finished.  They aren't fancy pieces, but I think two pairs of shorts:

And two pairs of pajama pants:

Are totally something to show off, because honestly...I could have been knitting.  This kind of sewing was decidedly instant gratification, so it works out, even if it meant yards of cotton flannel in my lap in the middle of summer.

The pattern used was a free one from Patterns for Pirates, their Walk the Plank Pj Bottoms, in the adult size range.  Good pattern!  Clear, with pictures, and easy to follow!  I have plans to cut out a Wiggle Dress from them this week!
Pants and shorts are adult sized.  Bright red for Daughter.  Maroon for Son.  Both like the fit and pointed out they would like the shorts back soonest because they wanted to wear them this evening. 

I think that means they like them.

A Little Knitting, Purple Meringues and Expansive Sweet Potatoes

First and foremost, I completed my twelve projects in twelve months...three days ago.  There are seven more items on that list in progress.  There are another two dozen possible new projects on the list as well.  I think I may have been slightly over ambitious.

Ouzo, all blocked and seamed and blocked again; will not be modeled until day time temperatures drop to something reasonable:

I finally made myself a Dragon Scarf from Morehouse Knits  Husband and both kids have scarves, and have for years.

Yes I need to weave in ends.  He should be blocked too.  There should be time to do that between now and when the weather calls for it.

Despite my complaints about the heat, I keep knitting.  Sadly, the warm weather has made me terribly lethargic.  Getting my sluggish brain to remember the need to take pictures of my work in progress hoard is almost as difficult as finding the energy to get up to do it.

Daughter made meringues the other day:

She dug through her art supplies to find something in the equivalent color range.

And this is the result of the grand idea to put a few sprouting sweet potatoes in some dirt and see what happens:

Ummmm, now what?  They are a solid mass of foliage that is a foot and a half high.  Dirt cannot be seen through the leaves.  I have never done this before, it seemed like a good idea at the time...now I'm wondering if in another couple of weeks they will over grow the pot and begin conquest of the yard!

It's Friday the 13th...again.

Unsurprisingly, I spent most of the day knitting, (I try to keep Fridays free).
I had finished the knitting portion of the Ouzo I am working on, so I got to blocking them last night.

But that meant having to wait for the pieces to dry before I could get to the finishing bits....so I had to cast on something new right?  (Please do not notice the three dozen works in progress that construct my current yarn fortress).
This is the start of Summer Feeling

Using some exceptionally green cotton stash yarn.  Knit Picks Dishie I believe.  I figured why not, as it has held up really rather well in less fashionable uses.
But as much as I am enjoying the cotton dress with it's lace charts, (yes really, it's quite fun)  I had to get to the Ouzo finishing otherwise it would get neglected.  It cannot get pushed to the side as it is project number eleven on my twelve projects to complete this year.
Evening plans: seaming and picking up stitches.

Happy Friday the 13th everyone!

Coffee, Tea and Galactic Broccoli

It got hot and I've had a garden to attend to.  Including a couple of coffee and tea plants!

Most of my knitting has been gifts the last couple of months, two-thirds of which has to stay under wraps for another few months and the others got sent off in a rush...so I forgot to take pictures.
I also finished a couple of sweaters, so useful when it's 90*F outside:
The Rule of Three, in some Malabrigo worsted, Chircas colorway:

And a V-neck Boxy, in Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in Thunderhead:

Yes, it looks unflattering. Quite honestly, it was also not the most fun knit I've ever made, but it looks outstanding on!  I made it a slightly cropped length, better suited to my frame.
Both still need to be blocked, but I figured I had some time before they would be in my wardrobe rotation.
I decided to splurge just a touch after finishing so many things and so a skein of Blue Moon Fiber Arts BFL Fingering in the color Galactic Broccoli came to live with me and make me happy. 
Look at that color!

The sewing has also come out again lately.  I have grand ambitions.  I started with a small drawstring bag.

The fabric is from the Ghastlies collection.  I have a large bag cut out of the same fabric.  I have patterns traced for multiple garments. Plans for glow in the dark pajamas.  Even a few skirts cut out, just waiting to be sewn up. 
For today, the little bag is fine.

It's May! And Spring finally managed to get here.

Which means I got to knit outside!

The pattern is Beautiful Solitude  in MadTosh Light in Bittersweet.  It's been finished, took me three days to bind it off, and it looks amazing even though it still needs to be blocked.

Quite a lot of the afternoons look like this:

Which means I should have time to knit these:

Two of my favorite characters done in yarn!  Endora and Hulk! 
And these, Dark Matter and a hand-painted sock blank:

Yes, I have a crush on Potion Yarns right now.   Her colors are gorgeous and Johanna is charming!

There has also been pie:

And I may have bought more wine:

I feel that it is starting to become rather like my yarn collection, though unlikely to ever take up as much room.  It takes far less time to drink a bottle of wine than knit a skein or two of yarn.

The warmer weather has been most welcome, but apparently not as welcome as the stinky shoes that accompany it:

First Chuck, Prosecco, and a Dragon

So I have finished the first in my worsted weight sweater list.  A Chuck sweater out of Cascade 220 in the Mossy Rock colorway that took me just under two weeks to finish:

The second Chuck is on the needles, out of the same yarn base, though not very far along:

It was my birthday, so I celebrated:

That blood orange soda is amazing!  Makes outstanding mimosas.
And I worked on my Radiant Dragon shawl out of Junkyarns in her Sophie colorway, Plush MCN fingering weight:

Not my usual set of colors, bu they are lovely and the yarn base is just wonderful!

Do they deliver?

This has been the oft most uttered phrase in my house for several weeks now  I have had everything from glow in the dark wine glasses to bed frames dropped on my door step.  Even a bottle of wine.

But the box that everyone is happy to see, is the one from Brandless.    I liked their concept so I bought a test box; random bits to see if their products were decent.  Their shave gel is outstanding!  So I ordered again, before their maple cookies were no longer available:

There was a request for more of the Sweet Jalapeno Lentil Crisps before we had finished the first bag.  I have been consistently happy with their stuff, from shave gel and kitchen utensils to vegetable broth and scone mix.   It's all delivered in timely fashion as well.

And what does all this obvious snack food mean?  That I can eat and knit at the same time!
Which is good, as I have set myself a randomly ridiculous goal of knitting five worsted weight sweaters before the end of May.
Three of the sweaters are from Andi Satterlund. Two will be Chucks, one in a natural heather, the other a moss green.  One will be a Julgran, done in a medium heather gray, to be adorned with Halloween themed buttons and beads.
The fourth will be a Rule of Three, in yet another variation of a moss/forest green.  The fifth sweater isn't really a full sweater but I'm totally counting it.  A Camille's Waistcoat in a wonderful shade called True Blood Red from Blue Moon Fiber Arts will likely be the last one I try and push through before my entirely arbitrary deadline hits.
This is really how I am keeping myself occupied at the moment, at least until it warms up outside a bit more and I can go play in the garden again!