Emptyknitster

On our way home Monday, the kiddos and I went to Lewis and Clark Caverns. Although named after the famous explorers, the caverns were discovered by two local ranchers that were out hunting. The expedition did float past the caverns on the river behind the kiddos. The caverns are one of the largest limestone caverns in the the Northwest. Winter or summer the average temperature of the cavern is 50 degrees. The cavern is full of stalactites, stalagmites, columns,and helictites. Once we exited the caverns it began pouring rain, again! It's been a wet winter and spring which has been great for the caverns. They were noticeably damper inside 98% humidity with puddles and wet railings great for stalagmite growth!

I've just finished the twelfth pair of handknit socks this year. When I found this pattern I knew immediately it was the perfect pattern for the yarn NorDak Purl Gurl had given me. Pattern: Show-off Stranded Socks by Anne Campbell Yarn: Fuzz and Sunshine Superwashed Blue Faced Leicester Colorway: Habinero Sherbert Amount: One Skein, 434 yards Needle Size: US Size 1

Once the knitting retreat was over and everyone had "cast off" and were on their way home, I hopped into the car and headed to Helena. Three generations of the family were planning on racing in the Governor's Cup. California Dreamin' Son-in-law and The Chick were running the half marathon, California Dreamin' Daughter was running the 10K and The Pirate, Chloe-A-Little-Bit and I were doing the Fun Run- later to be known as THE MILE MARATHON! California Dreamin' Son-In-Law finished with an outstanding 10th place and 6th place in the men's category. We are all very proud of him and the training he's been doing to be able to finish so strong.  California Dreamin' Daughter arrived next with a winning stance! And  The Chick flew by! After the race our three racers compared notes, and a friend of The Chicks stopped by to say that she had thought she saw The Chick during the race and from behind shouted to her to move her...

Our original six knitters enjoyed last year's retreat so much we decided to do a retake on the Rockin' S Retreat (Sit, Sip, and Stockinette!) There were eleven this year almost doubling our group and I think we had even more fun. Food was outstanding.We knit, knit knit and sipped a little. We dyed yarn in several sessions, some soaked in the hot springs while others dyed their sock yarn.  Everyone let their creative juices flow and some yarn was tonal, some mottled, and some mottled and then over dyed in tonal!  Each member took a turn working on a charity project for the school's PTA silent auction this fall. We soaked in the pool but by mutual agreement- no photos, and enjoyed the great outdoors. A few dedicated knitters even knit their projects late into the night.   It was declared The Rockin' S Retreat Take Two was a great success and all are looking forward to next June 14th and 15th!

Enjoyed knitting this new sock pattern: Pattern: Mystik Spiral Socks Yarn: Patons kroy socks Colorway: Cyan stripes Amount: 2 skeins Needle Size: US Size 1 I had never tried the OMG heel featured in this pattern. It is a nice fitting heel but I will be returning to the Fishlips Kiss Heel on my next pair.

Recently, I saw this cowl on a podcast and thought it would be an interesting knit. In the introduction the designer wrote: "No casting on, no binding off, made in rows but ends up in one piece." Very interesting and to good to pass up! Pattern: Foolproof by Louise Zass-Bangham Yarn: Cascade Heritage Sock Colorway: Charcoal and Burgandy Amount: 1 skein of each color Needle size: US Size 5 Note: Enjoyed the project but if I make this again it will be the small width and length. The final project is a little to long and wide.

I've known for a week both Denali and I have a love of fiber: Its cute now but as soon as I have yarn chewed through or a snapped  cable on my needles it won't be near so sweet. This morning both cats got in on the action. I walked into the fiber room and found this: My bag of fleece had been dipped into and the current fiber on the wheel slightly displaced. Suddenly the culprit pounced out from under the table to nab more roving! "Oh, oh, we've been caught..."  "Kittens will be kittens, it wasn't me Mom. Honest!" Grace continues to claim she had nothing to do with this mess and is beginning to enjoy pointing a paw at someone else!