Emptyknitster

The irregular zigzags were hard for me to knit, I love symmetry! But went with “Relax and go with the flow!” My new mantra in retirement! This sock will be for someone with a “fat” foot - just a little bit to much positive ease for me! Pattern: Irregular Striped Socks Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks Ragg Shades Colorway:Blue Striped Ragg Amount: 2 skeins Needles: Size 2 US

We had a great time at the retreat, lots of food and fun! We were pretty laid back, Linda gave English knitting a try and did her best to get the hang of knitting backwards. The rest of us happily knit on projects we had brought from home. Cindy was the only one to complete a project while we were there, she "Knit, knit like the wind!" Her granddaughter will  be so happy to receive her Wonderful Wallaby!  The definite hit was dying yarn:  Once the yarn was dry we couldn't wait to get it wound...  even when one skein turned into a bit of a disaster! Everyone was impressed with the bags DD The California Dreamin' Gal made for us! We are all looking forward to next year!

We've been busy dying yarn. What fun!  Here is "the experiment" I did quickly becoming the resident expert during the retreat. We're using Knit Picks Bare superwash fingering yarn, 75% wool and 25% nylon.The yarn took the dye well, Kool-aid Grape, Black Cherry and Lemon Lime. I'm using the Anastasia Sock Pattern, a free on on Ravelry. More Later!

In the middle of a long winter our knitting group, fondly (referred to at the Knotty Knitters) decided  we should plan a small retreat once school was out. Chico was the natural choice. It's a very popular hot springs only thirty miles North of Yellowstone Park. I assure you, one visit and you'll want to come back again and again. Meals are Five Star OUT OF THIS WORLD but everything else is laid back and rustic. In the lobby board games and dogs abound, at the pool people soak, keep hydrated and visit. I've wanted to go on a Montana retreat for a long time but frankly couldn't locate one. Without any thought I jumped on the bandwagon and got the ball rolling. Right now, we're on the road and will soon be in the middle of the Rocky Mountains soaking and knitting our little hearts out. Wish you were here!

Years ago I learned that in order to get things done with Hubby's help I need to mention the wished for task and let it simmer. So a few days ago I mentioned to Hubby I was done with the raise flower bed out front. After twenty years of trying this type of plant and that type of plant only to have the deer eat everything on year three - I'm done. I thought it would take all summer for him to mull it over and then perhaps this fall or next spring we would transplant the remaining deer resistant iris and daisies elsewhere. However, the very day I mentioned the first thing on my retirement "honey do list"... he was off and running - literally!

About five years ago I met a lovely lady at the LYS, Wild Purls. Elizabeth had decided to learn to knit but wasn't the normal new knitter learning to knit on a dishcloth. No, she was in the process of finishing a fairly complicated sweater! Knit flat and with a pattern never ending pattern of seed stitch as I recall! Her second project was a pair of socks. The owner of the LYS showed her how to  use double point needles and Elizabeth soon became very frustrated. For some new knitters that frustration might have ended their knitting career altogether. Not knowing Elizabeth well and not wanting her to leave never to return again, I quietly talked to her about the beauty of circular needles. Her eyes lit up and to my knowledge she never looked at double pointed needles again! Sadly, Elizabeth moved to Texas but we remain in contact through Ravelry. She has fallen in love with knitting, crocheting, weaving, fiber, spinning and dying! Lizzy is now  the owner of Vice Yarn Compan...

The final Antler Cardigan is complete. I can hardly believe that I began it in February, usually I'm not that slow! Perhaps it is because this is the third on of the same pattern and had really turned into a yawner.I hope the little gurls will enjoy them! Pattern: Antler Cardigan Yarn: Encore Worsted Colorway: Ecru Amount: 4 skeins Needle Size: Size 6 and 8