the colors of tahoe

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We spent the last part of June on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe.  June just happens to be one of my favorite times there.  The air is crisp in the mornings and the evenings.  The afternoons are warm but not too warm.  The colors are vibrant.  And, the crowds are low! 
I finished my Free Style Tee (photos coming soon!) and Easy Ruffle Socks while there.  The hat I packed was my Oslo hat.  I thought it would be perfect for early morning hikes and swims.  (The water is 57°, too cold for me to swim for exercise but still cold enough for cold plunging. )

I waited until the last morning to snap some photos and was so very grateful that Liesl agreed to wake at 7am to be my model.  
Pattern:  Ultra Easy Ruffle Socks by Easy as Knit
Yarn: Artisan Yarns Sockpaca Fingering Weight held double (wool, alpaca, nylon)
Needle: US5/ 3.75mm
Size: M  Cast on 40 sts
Mods:  none
Pattern:  Oslo Hat
Yarn:  Rico Socks neon, color 005 held with Rico Essentials, color 062
Needle:  Us 3/3.5mm
Size: Cast on 108st 
Mods: none
I did not plan to match the colors of Tahoe.  But was so pleased while looking at my camera roll and noticing the colors of my knits matched the scenery.  

one of those days

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This was one of those summer evenings that will always hold a special spot in my heart.  

Where the temperatures are warm and the sun is still sitting high at 6pm.  

Where we ate our favorite take out.  

And, laughed.   
A lot.  


Where we played one of our favorite games.  


These are the type of summer days I never want to end.  And want to hold onto forever.  

On my needles:  Half + Half Triangles Wrap in Linen Quill.  

something new

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I started something new last night.  I took my first ballet class!  I have been wanting to take ballet for years and finally jumped in.  I loved it!  I showed up 30 minutes before the start time.  (I hate to rush. And, I was a little nervous.) While waiting,  I knit a row on my Half + Half Triangles wrap.  
I woke up in the night thinking that I needed to knit a pair of legwarmers.  I had the perfect gradient yarn in my stash.  Pink.  Obvisouly!

 {Waiting for class to start.}

I think I'll use this pattern.   However, I may change my mind after looking at all of these!

cake + socks

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My friend/neighbor and I decided to have a little KAL and knit a pair of the Ultra Easy Ruffle Socks.  A super easy pair of socks to maybe get some sock mojo going over here.  Maybe, maybe not.  The construction of the heel is super simple.  Not a completely defined heel.  It's a perfect pattern for beginner knitters.  I'm using yarn from my stash acquired from one of my past Knitcrates.  
 
I whipped up an Orange Ricotta Cake over the weekend using my sourdough discard.  If you have been visiting this space for a while, you know how much I love to bake.  However, over the years I haven't done much baking because no-one seems to want to eat it.  Including me!  But, doesn't a baked good and knitting just go together?  I think so!  

This cake is a keeper.  And, I plan on making it on repeat this summer!  I left off the glaze topping this time but definitely want to try it the next time.  

my june knit

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I started the FreeStyle Shirt on May 25th, however, I am calling it my June knit. I like to save my black yarn for when the sun is high and the days are bright.  
I'm using Onling No. 21 holding two strands together.  It is a cotton/linen blend and I am hoping will work beautifully for this pattern.  

 I also made a Chocolate Chip cookie that supersedes any I have made in the past.  I know that is a tall order, however, it's true.  I have tried to duplicate the delicious Levain cookies from New York.  This is the closest I have ever gotten.  I followed this recipe.  (I'm going to also jot it down below in case the link one day expires. )

INGREDIENTS

  • ½ cup (112g) unsalted butter, slightly softened

  • 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar

  • ¼ (50g) cup granulated sugar

  • 2 large eggs, cold

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 2½ (300g) cups all-purpose flour, sifted

  • 1½ tsp baking powder

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt (or 1 tsp kosher salt)

  • 2 cups (250g) walnuts, roughly chopped
    (if omitting walnuts, you can add roughly 50g extra AP flour)

  • 2 cups (325g) dark chocolate chips


    Measure out 3 oz balls. Refrigerate balls for 30 minutes or longer. Bake at 375˚ for 11-13 minutes.

CMC Sweater

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 I love a quick knit.  And I love a quick knit that fits right into my wardrobe.  As a matter of fact, I'm not sure how I ever lived without a pale pink sweater in my wardrobe!
I spoke all about this on my latest podcast.  

You can find that here.

Pattern:  CMC Sweater
Yarn:  Blue Sky Fibers Extra  5 skeins.  (I think I could have gotten by with 4 skeins.) Color 3513
Needle Size: US 9/5.5 mm
Size: Small
Modifications:  I made the neckline a crew by knitting for 1 inch instead of 4 inches.  I also continued the pattern that runs down the sides so that it also runs down the inside of the sleeve.  

may... now that was quick!

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Looking back through the photos on my phone, it seems like this happened a while ago. Yet, May seemed to have flown by.
d

 I mean we had a big graduation, there was Mother's Day, plants were planted, and there was a 10 day power outage.  Yes... 10 days.  I made the most of the time without electricity (or hot water!) however, when the electricity finally came back on, I cried.  Seriously.  
I set up the dining room table like I was hosting craft days.  Only, the only crafter was me!  
I would get up, swim my laps, head to Starbucks for a coffee and hit the craft table.  
If you were a loop and you happened to be in my house, you were becoming a pot holder.  Pronto!  
In the end I made 6 dishcloths (HIGHLY REWARDING!) and eleven (I thought it was one a day... hmmm maybe the power was out for 11 days.  It's all a blur.)  potholders.  

I made the most of my time.  :)

The dish cloth recipe using Crafter's Secret Cotton or Sugar and Cream:

Using a US 6/4mm or US 7/4.5 mm needle (I prefer a US 6 because I light a tighter cloth)
Cast on 3 stitches.
Knit 2, yarn over, knit to end.
Continue until 44 stitches on your needle.
Knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to end.
Repeat until 3 stitches remain.  
Bind off.