Zum Dirndl WIP

It is hard for me to sit and blog when it's summer and the kids are running around and the garden needs tending. I also have a lot less time to knit, but I make some time. Here's my progress on my Zum Dirndls:

The view from the side:

And a closer look at the front cable:

And last, the heel and back cable, the best photo I could get without a model (my models are sleeping right now...)

I LOVE the pattern. My knitting has gone much quicker now that I switched over to AddiLace needles (there are a lot of twisted knits and cables in this one). If I could find an hour a day to knit, these would be done in no time...

But be warned dear family, I will make time for knitting and ignore my other responsibilities to fulfill my Ravelympic commitments. What's that you ask? More tomorrow...

July Socks--Mira Mira

The month has escaped me, so I needed a quick pair of socks. And here they are:

This pattern has been sitting around for a while, so long that this is a discontinued yarn. These are my daughter's favorite colors, so it all good!

The details:
Pattern: Plymouth Yarn S417; top down, 2 needle
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn 'Mira Mira'; 98%Wool, 2% Metal
Colors: 2747 lime green (MC), 141 Fuchsia (CC)
Gauge: 5 st/inch
Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm

Monthly Adventures June Swap

I realized that I never really discuss my Monthly Adventure swaps or share the goodies I have received. Swapping is so much fun: you meet some great people and get fun presents! So from now on, I will starting posting about my swaps.

My favorite group on Ravelry is Monthly Adventures. I know I have mentioned it before here on my blog. It started as a simple holiday swap last year (my first swap ever). It has evolved into a month swap with occasional small KAL/CALs. It's a great group, very chatty, fun, and supportive. I look forward to reading the posts every day from this group!

So for June, the swap involves lace. We are sending and receiving a pattern and yarn for a lace shawl or stole. We helped our partners out by listing some of our favorite patterns in Ravelry. It is fun to secretly 'spy' on your partner to discover fun gifts for them. This month my package came from the same person I sent a package to!

I am so excited. Above is my package from 'GreenAlgae'. She sent me a pattern I have been wanting to make for SOOOOO long: Hanami ! The Hanami stole was designed by Melanie of Pink Lemon Twist (the creator of Mystery Stole 3/Swan Lake which I knit last summer--see below).

I can't wait to cast on! But of course, I do need to wait, because I have 2 projects I absolutely must finish first (Zum dirndl and SKP sock 3, which I haven't even cast on yet...). My desire to start this pattern will be inspiration to finish the other two. Thank you GreenAlgae--I am off to knit!

Jumping July!

Wow, is it really July already? I started this blog one year ago today, so I guess that makes today my blogiversary!

The kids are on summer break so there has not been much blogging or knitting time the past couple of weeks. I thought I would post my July goals along with pictures of my WIPs. SO here goes:

1. SKP: Sock Knitters Pentathlon Sock 3: pattern released today at 12pm EST...

2. Zum Dirndl Test Knit: I have not completed this first sock, but I LOVE the pattern. I should have the first sock complete by the end of THIS month, but here's where I stand:

3. I have wanted to make the Juliet sweater for some time, but I haven't had the time to sit and rewrite the pattern for the yarn I wanted to use. Then I was tempted into starting a "February Lady Sweater". It is cardigan pattern by Flint Knits/Pamela Wynne. I am using HandMaiden Great Big Sea Silk in colorway: marine. I, of course, love the yarn. Here's where I am so far:

That's it, the whole list. I would be so happy if I could just meet those 3 goals! I will not have computer access for the next few weeks, but I will post updates when I get back.