Emptyknitster

I knit these lovely socks for the NorDakPurlGurl who just celebrated a birthday. I hope they keep her feet warm in the land where there is still snow! Pattern: Business Casual Yarn: Marigoldjen Hand Dyed Yarn Colorway: Yoshi Amount: 1 skein Needle Size: US size 1

The family began trickling in on Friday, first the NorDak Family and the later in the evening The Chick Who Flew The Coop. Finally, on Saturday the California Dreamin' Crew flew in. Most families have a traditional Easter egg hunt, church and ham dinner kind of a day but obviously we are a rather unusual family... The boys sat around most of the morning warming up to what the day could bring.  Ultimately they hatched the potato gun idea! Thankfully The Chick offered to take the boys to the local hardware store for supplies knowing full well that there was no way the twosome could drive there and back without some mishap.  Off the three of them went and shortly thereafter Cousin John dropped by for a quiet few minutes before the trio reappeared. The partners in crime! The potatoes flew across the gully, over the road and into the horse pasture! I really can't believe that we had so much fun shooting those darn things!

Last Friday my students were using ipads to reinforce their math skills. Sadly I was two ipads short and so, quickly going to solution, I asked the two students go to the computers and log onto my school website so they could play some math games. I didn't hear all the conversation at a nearby table but the final comment was, "Yes she used to be a teacher." Did they think that anyone having so much fun with them this year couldn't be a teacher OR did they somehow know I was going to turn in my retirement papers today!!!? YEA!! You read right - I'm retiring!

In January I was surprised by some gifted sock yarn from the KnitGirllls. When it arrived the yarn screamed  birthday socks for my little girls! Last week Sadie celebrated her birthday and loved the socks... Very similar to the Princess and The Pea, this princess understood immediately, "they are so much better than socks from the store!" The Knitgirllls would be so impressed - Gramma is! Pattern: Just knit to my heart's content! Yarn: Sock yarn from Friday Studios Colorway:Fireworks Amount: less than an a skein - so there are more to come! Needle Size: US 1.5

The first time I saw these socks I knew I would have to give them a try! The pattern was well written and easy to follow. A fun knit that will be a great gift! I plan on knitting a Wallaby for The Tiger with a spider on the sleeve and little spiderlings on the pocket. Pattern: Spider Socks Yarn: Cascade Heritage Sock Yarn Colorway: Burgundy - GO Griz! Amount: One skein Needle size: US 1

I have knit enough socks now that I just cast on and knit away! Last week A Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker arrived in the mail. This will be a great resource to jazz up my socks in the future. This week's pair of socks have a baby cable rib found in the book.  I look forward to knitting many "off road" socks this year! Pattern: My creative juices are flowing Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks FX Colorway: Calla Lily Colors Amount: 2 skeins Needle size: US 1

The second Antler Cardigan was finished last week. There will be three completed before Easter, one for me, one for Granddaughter #1, and Granddaughter #2. The sleeves and body are just knit,knit, knit! Have I written that I no longer purl but knit backwards? What a wonderful technique, only wish I'd learned years ago. My stockinette stitch is now uniform and smooth -  something that once only happened after blocking. The yoke is a cinch, filled with antler cables, an easy and beautiful stitch.  I did add an extra antler before beginning the decreases in the yoke in order to bring the sweater neck up to where I wanted it. Pattern: Antler Cardigan Yarn: Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool Colorway: Oatmeal Amount: 3 skeins Needle size: US 6, US 8