Tangles

I almost forgot to mention that I took the photo of my SP goodies outside on my comforter.  It is outside on the laundry rack due to an upset kitty stomach last night.  Yuck!!  It did make for a nice backdrop, though.

Here's a photo of Oreo from last night.  She looks so cute when sleeping on her back with all four paws up in the air.  Of course, the cuter pose was missed because she woke up and started to roll over as soon as the camera was turned on.

Wow!

My final Secret Pal 7 package arrived today.  What a spoiled girl I am.  My Secret gifter was Becky at Moonlight Frogger.  Becky was an extremely generous Pal, to say the least.  Here is a picture of the contents of today's package:

The package included ~4~ skeins of Noro Kureyon, 2 hanks of Cascade Quatro, a pattern for the Irish Hiking Scarf (perfect for the Quatro), a package of Dove Chocolate.  Not pictured because I forgot to take them outside is a little bag of cable needles.  Becky sent a set of the Brittany Birch wooden needles and 3 different metal versions.  She also took time to make a special web page of hints and patterns for cable knitting.  Be sure to check it out--there are nice photos of lots of the projects that are linked.  I can't wait to get started on some new projects.

Thanks so much, Becky for being such a great swap partner.

Time-Out

Something about this pose struck me as funny--Shorty was looking for birds and sat in the corner for a long time.

Sock in progress

I'm making this a separate post--Typepad was acting a bit weird and I didn't want to lose the last post and have to start over.

I am working on a grown-up sock for a change.  I order Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush and got inspired to bring out the tiny DPN's.  The yarn is Knitpicks Essential.  My first experience with this yarn has been so-so.  The price was right, the color is very nice, but the yarn doesn't seem very soft.  The swatch didn't feel much softer after washing, but we'll see how they turn out, I guess.

This particular pattern is the Lichen Ribbed sock.  I'm just starting the heel flap, so still have quite bit of knitting ahead.  Now, I'm off for some morning shopping at Wild Oats and the not-that-local LYS.

 

Catching Up

I finally had time to take some photos and get them ready to post.  Here goes:

These are for my special Secret Pal  She sent me and e-card and asked about any flower gardening I might have done.  A few weeks ago, I planted up some new patio planters.  These pansies are so pretty that I had to share.

   

There are more to be planted, but they will wait for another post.

A few days ago, I received my next package from said SP and it was very sweet.  She sent two hand knit catnip mice, a little book of E. A. Poe stories, a flower-shaped notepad ~and~ a handmade card.  What a thoughtful pal she has been--here's the evidence:

Thanks again!

Surprise!

I finished the raglan sweater last night.  I was sure that the yarn would run out before it was finished, but I just barely made it to the end.  I did shorten the bottom band a little, but it should be fine.  Here's the evidence:

That little bit of yarn is all I had left--maybe 18 inches to spare.

Sweater Progress

Here are the promised photos of the sweater-in-progress.  The colors are a bit unusual since one ball of yarn is darker and has very little green.  I will soon be running out of yarn.  I've ordered more from Knitpicks and will dye a skein in the Mulberry color to finish off the bottom band and the neckband.  Definitely a one-of-a-kind sweater.

Here's a closer shot to show off the colors.