I finished the Gull Wing socks from Socks, Socks, Socks. I'm not in love with the pointy heels - they're not noticeable in this scan but are easier to see in the original pattern photo in the book. These socks are also a gift for a girlfriend's daughter. I used Froehlich Blauband for these socks in a lovely lilac color.

Now I'm back to the Aran Island Mittens from Folk Mittens. I hope I can concentrate on the socks because I'm worrying that the Red Sox will trade Manny before the trade deadline today.

Remember when I was so amazed at the enormous size of my sock yarn stash? Well then it may surprise you to learn I've recently added to it.







This is Knitpicks' new solid-colored sock yarn, Essential. I love the price and I have a few projects in mind. The lighter green on the top will become the Leaf Socks from Socks X3 and the orange on the bottom will become the Tiger's Eye socks from the same book. Then I will have knit all the socks in the lace section of the book. I may also use the burgundy to do a cabled pair from one of the little VK socks books.

The feather and fan sock pattern from Socks, Socks, Socks is a lot like potato chips. You just can't knit just one pair. I hope to make a pair for myself some day. This pair is knit in Regia for a friend's 8 year old daughter. I hope they fit.

I should have both the Aran Island mittens (wonderful, wonderful pattern!) and the second pair of feather and fan socks to show you this week. In the meantime, here are a few more garden photos. Keep in mind that I live in a dry and hot climate.

First here is my rather pathetic herb garden. The baby squirrels ate some of the dill but the rest is intact.




Some sort of sedum that survives really well without getting watered regularly.




Finally, here are the red hot poker plants that remained after a gopher sucked a few plants underground. Look near the barrel. Those are the Sandia Mountains (named because they turn the color of watermelon in dusk) in the background.

I've been wondering for a while why I haven't been challenging myself with my knitting. I thought for a while it was because I crashed and burned with my Level III submission and then I thought maybe it was because it is getting more difficult to see charts well late at night.

I've finally figured it out. It is because I'm such a product-oriented knitter. So far in 2005 my production has been way down and I didn't want to start a project that took more time. Lately it is so hot hot hot that all I can do here is knit and watch cooking shows on tv. I'm now finishing more projects therefore I'm more interested in doing some complicated projects.

I'm almost finished with my 2nd pair of feather and fan socks and am halfway through the Vine Lace socks both from the Socks X3 book. I have also started on the Girly-Girl socks from the Spin-Off book. All three pairs are going to the same girlfriend so I am working on them simultaneously.

To challenge myself a bit, I'm planning on starting the Aran Mittens from Folk Mittens as soon as I can work out the gauge. There's no way I'm knitting them in worsted weight on size 3 dpns - I'm going to either use sport or fingering weight Cormo. I also just ordered some of the new Knitpicks solid-colored sock yarn for the fancy Leaf socks in Socks X3.

The baby rock squirrels are finally out and about. One hangs out by the back door and one hangs out by the front door. They are so adorable! Here's a photo of one of the nests. Look for all the twigs stuffed in the rock wall behind the white chair.




If it ever cools off I can sit out here and knit.

The scanner didn't do justice to this baby hat. The colors are off and you can't really tell that it is a mushroom cap or toque that puffs out in the center. It was knit in Nylamb on size 2 dpns. The curlicues on top are done by casting on 20 stitches, knitting in the front and back of each stitch then binding off purlwise.




The hat is from a set including a dress and cardigan from Dale of Norway's baby book #124 which is amazingly still in print and available for sale from HERE.

It is the same pattern book I used for the bunnies and ducks and garden tools cardigan seen below . If I have time before the baby is born I may make the bunnies and ducks hat from pattern book 124 but use different colors.

Several weeks ago I attended a really sad baby shower at DH's office. He works in treatment foster care with some really sad kids. If I had his job I'd be crying all the time.

I've started knitting a few Dale of Norway baby items for the mom-to-be I met. I'm aware a few stupid knitted items aren't going to matter if you're alone and pregnant and dirt poor but I've always been a bleeding heart. I'm finishing a cute Dale baby girl hat I'll show you tomorrow.

I need to take some photos of Peaches enjoying her new dog beds. I actually bought one for each of the pets but Peaches feels they should all be hers alone. Here she is modeling one of her baskets of bunny toys. She likes to overturn them and eat the basket as well as you can see.