Emptyknitster

Sunday afternoon there was a knock on the door and we were surprised to see our longtime friend, Jana, standing on the front porch. I would have recognized her anywhere! Our two families lived across the street from each other "in the old days" at the "old neighborhood." Our girls continually ebbed and flowed from one house to the other for years. Mandy was smack dab in the middle between the NorDakPurl Gurl and the California Dreamin'Gal in age and on any given day they may have been best friends or bickering but always they were "sisters". Jana and I mentioned how safe we felt, knowing our girls were safe at either house. We were truly lucky to have had our families find each other. I hadn't seen Jana for about fifteen years, when The NorDakPurlGurl and I went to California for Mandy's wedding,  Much to long. We had a wonderful afternoon catching up and hope to have another quick visit in August.

Last month when Hubby's cousin sent the photos her mother had stored, she included a school photo of Hubby. I was amazed at the similarity between Hubby and The Tiger. When I showed The Tiger the photo of his grandpa asking who he thought it was, he answered "ME!!" The Tiger - age 7 Hubby - age 8

How can you deny a granddaughter that texts: "Do you know how to make slippers? My feet are getting cold in the morning and at night and I would be grateful if you would make me some." I was quite surprised when The California Dreamin' Mom (AKA, The Sweater Killer) said they should be in wool, but wool they are: Pattern: Simple Summer Socks Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Worsted Colorway: Passion Heather Needle Size: US Size 5 They are warm comfy even with the mesh tops. I'm seriously debating making myself a summer pair of slippers.

(Although the family drew lots on Easter to see whose socks would be knit first in the end I skipped #2, The Tiger's sock blank. I am worried the feet will be an unfortunately feminine color for the boy. With some discussion with his Mom and Dad they reassured me it is the dyeing of the yarn not the colors The Tiger is interested in. So these socks will be next.) I jumped into the saddle, knitting SadieLouWho's sock blank and really like the springy like the results! Pattern: Toe the Line Socks by Amanda Bourke Yarn: Knit Picks Bare Stroll Single Strand Sock Blank Colorway: Not So Secret Horse Lover Needle Size: US Size 1

After the kiddos finished their Easter egg dyeing we started in on the sock yarn dyeing! I was surprised how much everyone enjoyed it.They understand the socks will be fraternal and they don’t mind a bit. Sarah painted five sunflowers with blue sky in the background on her sock blank. Socks are done! The Flying North Pattern was perfect for this busy yarn! As these socks were progressing I sent photos to the artist/dyer and she loves them.    We couldn't wait to wind the yarn up into cakes. I knit one sock from the outside of the cake toward the inside and then I started the second sock from the inside out. I did this because of the different shades in the yarn, ending in a fairly close match! Pattern: Flying North by Maria Montzka, Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Knit Picks Bare Stroll Strand Sock Blank Colorway: Sunflowers Needle Size: US Size 1

Last month I dyed some yarn using ice cubes . What started out as a disaster was over dyed into some pretty nice yarn. Not wanting to knit a vanilla sock and having used the usual male patterns I went on the hunt for a new one to try and Syncopation Socks fit the bill. I like the look of the unworn sock but when worn the pattern stretches out a bit and loses the unusual texture. Pattern: Syncopation by Mary Henninger Yarn: Knit Picks Bare Colorway: Blackberry Cobbler Needle Size: US Size 1

The Chick That Flew The Coop and NorDakFamily arrived last Tuesday and soon the Easter Festivities began. I had discovered a new game for the kiddos called Tenzie .  The rules and supplies are simple: Each player needs ten dice in an individual color. Everyone rolls the first roll at the same time, decides what number they are going to collect, and after the first roll there are no turns - just roll the dice to collect all of the number decided upon. When the player has collected  all ten of the same number he calls out "Tenzi!".  The kiddos liked playing, there was no pouting from anyone because as soon as one game was played (it took about two minutes) another started! Fun!! I also had some spring sun catchers for them to paint they loved doing them after running around outside and visiting the neighbor's horses. We had Easter early as the NorDakFamilly had to head home Easter morning so egg dying happened on Thursday: This year we used Koolaid to dye the eg...