Summer Anklets complete

Quick and easy pattern! This is the first of my patterns that I have actually finished typing and proofing. It's yours for free if you like. Just click here to go to my website and download the pdf.

Here are the details:
Pattern: Summer Anklet (by Angela Dexter/BuzzandFuzz); top down, 2 needle
Yarn: Cascade Yarns 'Fixation Solid'; 98.3% cotton / 1.7% elastic
Colors: 5806 lime green (MC), 2406 blue-lavender (CC)
Gauge: 7.5 st/inch
Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm

Learning to Crochet

I have wanted to learn to crochet for a while now, mainly because crochet edges look really nice with knit items. One of my Ravelry groups, Monthly Adventures, provided the kick in the butt I needed to get going. We have started a "Learn to Crochet CAL" with Carmen (Ravelry name: PalomaBella) as our teacher. She gives us photo lessons with online links and little assignments (she's doing a great job!). So, in my recent travels I picked up a book and some hooks:

Our first lesson was to make a chain and work some rows of single crochet. My first swatch was pretty pathetic--I kept losing stitches and then tried to add some at the beginning of the next row, but my second try was better:

This week's lesson is double crochet and slip stitch. The slip stitch was easy (the bottom swatch below), but my double crochet, well, it needs help. I am crocheting WAY too tight (just like my knitting) and I do not have a 'flow' yet. I am going to redo my double crochet swatch and then try a small project.

But first I need to work on some knitting...

Fixation Anklet

Now I know that I have a lot of WIPs going right now, but I didn't have any mindless knitting that travels well. So, I have cast on a quick pair of anklets using Fixation yarn. Here's the pretty yarn:

and here's my progress (unblocked):

The pattern is my own and I will post it as soon as I finish the second sock. I hope I have enough yarn to make two pairs, reversing the heel, toe, and cuff colors. I wear lots of anklets in the summer and have never knit myself a pair of anklets. One down, three to go!

Joyous June!

Happy June!

The weather is warming up here in Maine and the gardens are blooming. I have been spending a lot of time out in the gardens and hope to post some pictures soon. In the meantime, here's where I stand for my June knitting (click here to see how I did with my May goals...):

1. Zum Dirndl Test Knit: this was an unexpected project that threw my May knitting goals off. Details are here. Basically, I need to complete my first knee high before the end of the month. I will post pictures of my progress this week.

2. Stretchy summer anklets: my traveling knitting project right now is a pair of anklets knit with Fixation yarn by Cascade. I will post pictures of my progress tomorrow.

3. Not knitting related, but I need to finish 4 beaded bracelets this month.

4. Monthly Adventures (Ravelry group): Almost finished with the Seaglass bag. I will finish it this month and put it away in the Christmas gift box... I am not joining in this month's lace knitting swap because I still have not complete my Mystic Light Shawl (which I won't have time to work on until July).

5. Juliet sweater: As I mentioned in May, I am not happy with the gauge/yarn this pattern calls for, so I hope to make a swatch this month and rewrite the pattern according to my gauge...

6. Beaded stitch markers: need to make some for BuzzandFuzz webstore.

That should be plenty for June!