Emptyknitster

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

I've been knitting birthday socks for Kimmie. We had a birthday party Friday at the Burger Dive, a great spot that only could get better if they served a beer with the burgers. We've been going there for a year to celebrate and the owner smiles at us when we walk in, birthday placemats in tow! I had forgotten to take a photo before the socks were gifted. So when I approached Kimmie after the holiday I was surprised to see the look of horror on her face when I told her I had made a mistake and shouldn’t have gifted the socks to her…(intending on finishing with, until I took a photo.) But before I could finished the sentence she cut in and said “But I wore them all weekend, all three days after skiing!” Now SHE is someone who appreciates my knitting! Kimmie then told me that upon arriving home Monday night, the socks were lovingly hand washed but she would wear them on Wednesday. After school today she modeled the socks and now I have a truly completed project! Patte

Hubby and I spent a weekend in and around Yellowstone Park enjoying the animals and each other's company. For our honeymoon many years ago we went to the park via snow coach - when hubby booked this trip he thought it was a redo but instead got a van (coach). Still it was fun and a thoughtful anniversary gift. On our way to the park we saw several bald eagles in Paradise Valley. The entrance in Gardiner. Pronghorn antelope Buffalo A coyote with dinner Bighorn sheep Buffalo Hubby in the wild. Another coyote Buffalo playing on the high school football field .   Heading to the park and on the way home we enjoyed Chico Hot Springs, always a relaxing time.

I'm currently knitting the Antler Cardigan for myself and two granddaughters. I also found the Antler Hat pattern and just finished one for each of the boys. I can just imagine a great photo shoot at Chico Hot Springs early this spring! Pattern: Antler Hat Yarn: Plymouth Encore Colorway: Ecru Amount: Less than a skein each Needle Size: US 6 and US 8

Hubby and I recently looked out our window to witness this:   The Old Toms were gathered around encouraging the youngsters in the performance.

I'm hoping to get a pair of socks completed for every male member of the family this year. The California Dreamin' Son in law just had a birthday, I missed it by a few days but the socks will be in the mail tomorrow! There were several different options given for the heel and toe depending on if you wanted "decaf" (easy) or "caffeinated" (harder) socks . The pattern in the sock lent itself well to the different colors in the yarn. My motto usually is, "You can do color or you can do pattern but you can't do both." this is an exception. Pattern: Vanilla Latte Yarn: Schoppel-Wollle Crazy Zauberball Amount: 1 skein Colorway: Blue/gray/black Needle Size: US size 1

There are several reasons for this blog. I want to document my knitting, the things I do over the course of a year. I also write memories of mine so that one day the grandchildren will know a different side of me and what my life was like growing up, and what my grandparents parents and siblings were like. At the end of the year I have the blog printed and bound for each of the families. Not long ago The California Dreamin' Gurl was talking to a friend about the blog and book. The Piraate showed immediate interest, sat down and read the journals cover to cover.   As he turned the last page he asked his mom, "When is the next edition being published?"