I am almost done!

For Mother's Day, my daughter gifted me with me a yarn and a pattern for knitting socks.  She reasoned that it does get cold in the winter in Florida and thought I could use them.  I started them in Montana, but then dropped a stitch or two and with complete frustration, put that knitting away.

This last week I have been at it again.  I finished the first sock and this morning started the second.  There is a way to knit both socks on two circular needles at the same time, but I have not taken the time to learn the manipulation needed to do this.  I am totally content knitting socks on two circular needles, one sock at a time.

This fun pattern is called "Laughing Matters" and the yarn is "Aussi Sock", made in Australia from 90% Aussie Merino and 10% nylon.  Color is called "faded valentine."  Thank you Knit Purl Hunter for this pattern.

A Kindle cover

After saying for much too long a time that I did not need a Kindle, I got a Kindle.  I did not think I would enjoy it as much as I do.  But, what I was not willing to do, was spend a large amount of money for a cover.  I soon discovered that there might be a danger with carrying it around in my purse or a bag with scratching of the screen.  So I did a search for a knit, felted cover.  I found the perfect one.

It was quick and easy, felted nicely and I really like it.  I found it on a blog called Musings of a Yarn Mom.  If I was a little more ambitious, this would be fun to make and sell at craft shows.

Knit one, purl two

While visiting the grandchildren this fall, 5-year-old Rachel asked me for a favor. When she was 3, I knit a hat for her that has turned into a favorite. But, now that she is in kindergarten, it is a little on the small side. So, when I got back home, I ordered the yarn and just today finished her hat.

It is the cutest little hat and very easy to knit. I used the Norwegian Dale Freestyle yarn. It is machine washable and dryable and even though the yarn tends to split for me, it is a good yarn to use for a little girl's hat. If you have a little girl in your family or close to heart, you really might like to try the "Twist and Sprout" hat pattern.

I learned to knit from my grandmother as a child, but when I was in high school and took a Home Economics class, my teacher taught me continental knitting and since then I love knitting a lot more. It is not the "throwing" kind of knitting, but the "picking" kind and much easier for me to handle and quicker.

Some years ago, I saw a picture of some Norwegian hiking socks in a magazine. I love searching the Internet, and even though it took some time, I found a yarn shop that could help me. There is a Norwegian woman who owns a yarn shop in Ames, Iowa. I wrote to her and asked for help. She found a pattern, in Norwegian, and she actually spent the time translating the pattern into English for me, and then I let her choose the yarn for me. A cream-colored pair of socks for myself and a gray pair for the Trout. Though I now live in Florida and do not need these socks for hiking, you never know when I will be in a cold climate, hiking, and in need of these socks. I love them.

"What do you do all day?"

One of the questions I am asked most often is, "what do you do all day while the Trout fishes?" I chuckle at the question. I have always been pretty much a loner. I love solitude and I love experiencing the beauty of nature that surrounds me. Be it walking on a beach by the ocean or walking through the mountains, I am comfortable and at peace. I do need "something" to inspire me to get out of bed though.

This is a baby blanket I just finished knitting for a first time grandmother. I hope to get it in the mail this week. It is a very favorite pattern of mine called "Estonian Lullaby Baby Blanket." This is actually the third I have made and I love the pattern. Montana is an excellent place to knit. Several years ago, we drove to the Bitterroot Valley of Montana to Corvallis, to "Mountain Colors" to buy yarn and watch how they dye it. Lovely people and their discount shelves were very inviting.

I have also been reading a lot and finished several reads with more sitting on a shelf waiting for me.

I brought my sewing machine along also. I have been plugging away sewing myself a jacket out of patchwork fabrics with the seams on the outside so that they fray and get a raggy appearance. Perfect for winter dog walking in Florida.

Of course, I spend quite a bit of time on the computer also. It is great that we have this broadband plug this year. Makes it very convenient for me and I no longer have to go to the library in the neighboring town to use their computers.

I've watched several DVD's including Benjamin Button and The Notebook. I know the Trout would not enjoy these movies, so they also made the afternoons fly by. A couple more are still waiting for me, but I will put those off for cooler days.

We are actually getting warmer out here. The weather from the southwest is reaching up here this coming week, so it will be great walking weather again.

It's Not the City

This has been a most unusual summer for Montana. Usually by this time, we have so much dry weather, that grilling is outlawed and the smell of forest fires is prevalent. But, because trout streams are in some of the most beautiful areas of the world, it is necessary to drive through uncommon roads to get where the trout are. As you can see by our car, this is not city driving.

But, this is beautiful Montana, and I have the best viewpoint of all. The mountains, the lake, a bottle of wine, my books and notepads for quick thoughts, and my knitting. This is called relaxing in a big way.

Time to Start Knitting Again

This morning in church I had a sign that it was time to start knitting again. I have been discouraged by my talent, or lack of talent of late, and spending more time on the computer, the knitting needles have not been clicking.

A lady sitting near me in church asked if I had knit the shawl I was wearing and after church left me her phone number and name. She wants the pattern and then asked if I was aware of the group at church called "Stitches" that knits for charity. I knew of it but not much about it.

So, I have found my pattern and will get in touch with this lovely lady. Also this past week, a friend asked me to knit a felted purse for her as she liked mine so much and then there was the request for golf anklet socks...

It's time to get my confidence back and get those needles out. The shawl on the top is the one I was wearing to church today and the one on the bottom is my favorite because the pattern really challenged me. Addendum: As I was working on the blog, my new friend called and I am going to a meeting at the church, knitting for charity. It's a good thing!!