Emptyknitster

While visiting a favorite site, Ravelry, I spied this baby blanket and wondered how the Mandala yarn would crochet up in the pattern. There isn't an intended baby recipient so it will be added to the charity pile of of baby items to be given away. Pattern: Compass by Buttonnose Crochet Yarn: Lion Brand Mandala Colorway: 217 Genie, 210 Pegasus Hook Size: 4.25mm (G)

We were just getting geared up for our annual family contest, keeping an eagle eye on the area around our house, and carrying our phones everywhere. Surprisingly, the competition quickly came to a close when Hubby sent the winning photo this morning: Twin fawns but one was hidden... The winner of the 2019 First Fawn of the Season is Hubby!!

After finishing the afghan I had a few bits and pieces of yarn left which I could easily kit into Berkley socks. They are always such a fun knit! Pattern: Vanilla Socks with Fishlip Kiss Heels Yarn: 80-20 sock yarn Colorway: any Needle Size: US Size 1

Last year's stash busting afghan was such a joy to knit and gave me such great mileage for Stash Dash. I decided in March to knit another! I could mindlessly knit meters and meters knowing I wouldn't finish before the start date (NOT cheating!!! You must finish the item after the start date NOT start the item on the start date!) This years afghan doesn't have off white meandering through it but has off white widths with eyelets down the center... Pattern: Make a Long Story Short by Wanda Sowizdrzal Yarn: Endy Bits of Sock Yarn Colorway: Berkley Needle Size: US Size

Hubby has discovered hand knit socks and loves to wear them. I recently offered to knit him another pair and he happily agreed. Today when I finished the socks, I asked him to model them for a photo. He replied, "I thought they were my -  You're not my Father, Fathers Day gift." Pattern: Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Sox Therapist Yarn: OOPS! lost the band on the plane.... Colorway: Brown, Blue, Gold, Purple... Needle Size: US Size 1

Socks for this owner have been few and far between. The California Girl had asked for a reprieve from the sock circuit a couple of years ago. While I was visiting she mentioned she'd like to be put back on the list for Christmas. I was happy to immediately oblige... Pattern: Blueberry Waffle Socks by Sandy Turner Yarn: Knit One, Crochet Too Ty-Dy Socks Colorway: Vineyard Needle Size: US Size 1

I've been working of the California Dreamin' Boys birthday sweater for several months. When visiting in February there was a lengthy discussion on yarn, color, pattern and size. I took careful measurements of his favorite sweater and by the time I returned home I was fairly confident about its production.  When I returned to California for graduation two and a half months later, the sweater was completely knit but not entirely assembled. There was a final fitting and with an additional inch and a half on the sleeves I was able to sew it together. The recipient has given his approval! Pattern: 25-26-23 Pullover Yarn: Julie Asselin Nurtured Colorway: Green Mountain Needle Size: US Size 6

It had been a few years since Hubby and I had driven to "The Top of The World" so a few days after the highway opened off we went! We took a photo by the highest snow depth near the road but over all I was surprised how much the snow had melted. But surprisingly a few days later it snowed on the mountain peaks and the road was once again closed for a few days stranding a car and driver!

This year my first grandchild is graduating from high school. The years have passed so quickly. It's hard to believe she's almost grown up.  It's much harder to be a parent in the trenches, than the grandparent watching from afar.... Chloe's at the end of her last day of high school. I went to a jam making demonstration with the California Dreamin' Boy where we learned to make strawberry/rhubarb jam by mascerating the fruit and sugar in the refrigerator for 6-8 weeks before cooking! My batch is beginning it's second week now. More on the jam making... the middle of July ! We took a short hike to the Nature Friends Tourist Club San Francisco for lunch. The club is open to the public four times a year. Originally we agreed to a longer hike but FORTUNATELY there were no parking places at sea level and so we were unable to make the 800 foot climb to the club! (Hubby and I had totally misunderstood the discussion prior to leaving on this outing - we NEVER c