It's so great. Watching flowers come to life. Honestly, these beauties make me so happy. And to be able to enjoy these flowers from now until September. So good.

It's been warm around here. Mid to high 80's. No complaints.
Still, I knit away with lovely yarn while sitting at the pool. I started another slouchy cardigan. A.) Because I LOVE that sweater. (I think it has been my all time favorite sweater that has gotten the most wear of anything that I have ever knit.)

So sorry it took me so long to get back to you with the name of a winner. As usual, the beginning of the summer is pretty much kicking my butt. I'm craving a day where there is absolutely nothing on the schedule. Anyhow, the random number generator chose number 242. Martha, you are the winner of Veronik Avery's book. Please email me with your address and I will pop it in the mail.

You know what last weekend was? TNNA, where like past years, my mother and sister and I had an awesome girls weekend. I saw some amazing yarn, and MANY sweaters I would love to knit.
Check out this display at blue sky alpacas. Can you stand it? All those beautiful hand knits! I wanted to move right in. Posters and all. (Would love to make that sweater in the top right.)
Spud & Chloe. I know. Cute, cute, cute. (How about that baby and pattern in the poster!)
Classic Elite. One of my all time favorite booths to check out. SO many great patterns for the fall. I am in love with that sweater up there. That one over there. The one with the purple shirt under it. I know! I would love to make it.
Amy Butler. Did you know she has a line of organic yarn? Yep. And a pattern book to boot. Chalked full of beautiful things. (I wanted to move right in here, too.)
Veronik Avery. Veronik has another new book out. Filled with fabulous projects from small to large.

I think I have my new summer "always take with" me sweater. It's light, soft and the perfect weight for those cool mornings, evenings and days.
A pretty straight forward stockinette sweater with just enough interest in the gathered cuff details. Which by the way is the only part of the pattern that I felt required some extra thought. There are increases inside of increases inside of short rows. A little tough at first for my mind to wrap around, but it finally clicked. I love when that happens.

Okay. I just had to share our favorite new obsession. I first saw this pop maker when Martha posted it. We used it a little last summer, however, never finding the perfect "recipe". I played around a little with a recipe I found in "body and soul" (I think), changing it a bit, and found one we all love. It makes a perfect amount that fits into the 10 molds. Oh, and I must admit the metal top is a little tough to get off. But totally worth it. (Just run hot water over it.)

They jumped. Just like in the past. (Except with bigger feet. Lead in their legs. And a dog named Trouble standing by to witness the craziness.)

After two attempts at each sleeve, I finally finished the gathered cuff cardi. It wasn't the eyelet rows that gave me the trouble, (although that did require reading that part of the pattern over and over until it finally sunk in) it was just my lack of focusing. Forgetting the increases all the way up the sleeve. Doing the decreases every other row instead of every 4th row like the pattern states. Hate when that happens. I plan on sewing this baby together today.
Last weeks cookie was quinoa cloud cookies. I have never used quinoa flour. Nor have I ever toasted my flour. Happy to try something new. I also used a really delicious chocolate bar that I have been holding onto for the perfect use. And this was pretty much it.
Just as expected no cute little cloud cookie cutter in my "cookie cutter collection". I seem to have a lot of holiday cutters.
I thought about cutting them into the shape of butterflies or stars and moons or flowers, but in the end opted for a plain old circle. Mostly because it was my grandmothers. And since I don't really use cookie cutters all that often, I wanted to use hers.
I packed the last of these in lunches this morning.... as I packed my last round of lunches of the '09-'10 school year! A half day tomorrow is all we have.

I love a good cupcake recipe.

They're cinnamon chips. And they are so good. I mentioned I had just used my last bag and was having a hard time finding them in my area. A sweet friend mailed me a big box so this (along with chocolate chip cookies) has been my "go to" cookie the last few weeks. Not really a cookie, but I make them small, cookie size. Have them ready for after school snacks. And pack them in lunches the next day.
The dough is sticky.
So when you roll it out, make sure you use enough flour. And roll to about 1/4" thickness.
I was brushing with egg and sprinkling the cinnamon/sugar on each one individually. Until my mom was here when I made a batch. "Brush and sprinkle the entire surface and then cut", she said. Genius.
They are light and fluffy. And biting into the cinnamon chip is, well, yumm. And do you know what they go really well with?
Yarn!

Jeez. Didn't mean to hold a contest and make you wait for results. Sorry about that. I ended up packing up the kids and the dog and taking a road trip to New York to visit my sister. Two full days for the cousins to get together, for the dogs to meet, and for my sister and I to enjoy it all. One day in the city and one day in the country.
It couldn't have been more perfect.

Twenty hats, twenty scarves, twenty mittens in cascade 220. Yep, an entire book devoted to one yarn. I like that. I also really like cascade 220. I find it to be a good quality yarn, affordable (it looks like webs is having a sale), and comes in just about every color under the sun. And speaking of the sun, I find these small "tote around" projects to be the perfect projects for summer knitting.
I'm absolutely head over heals for those plaid mittens. They sort of remind me of a vintage thermos. Mittens for adults and children. Fair Isle mittens, bird cage mittens, cable cuff mittens, bunny mittens, tweed mittens, checkered mittens, the list goes on.
Libby has been wanting me to make her a beret and I think I finally found a pattern she likes. (It just so happens I have a hank of off white in the stash.) Hats for adults and children. Hats with bobbles, cables, patterns and stripes.
Fingerless gloves fall into that mitten category. I have always wanted to make myself a pair of those flip top mittens. I think I found the perfect pattern.

How come no one informed me that I wouldn't want to do anything but hang out with Trouble? Who knew? Who knew that I would find absolutely everything about this dog wonderful. Who knew that I would find it charming and sweet when on her walks she sits down when you turn around to make it home, with that "who me?" look on her face telling you that she just wants to walk more and she absolutely won't budge until you walk her more. Who knew that my heart would ache a little when she takes 5 minutes every morning to make it down our hardwood stairs. Testing each step with her paw as if she is testing the temperature of water.
Last week I finally managed to sew together my 12 square's. Who knew that I wouldn't mind finding a comfortable Trouble when I returned with my camera. I think she is adjusting quite well.

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, good day, good month!

As usual, my parents visit went way too fast. It is so nice to have my favorite knitter with me doing what we love to do. It was a gorgeous week filled with sunny days, perfect for sitting outside keeping an eye on our new baby.
I pulled out a project that hasn't seen the light of day in months. (Okay, maybe a year.) It was fun for a few rows. That seed stitch is killing me. I am going to try my hardest to do a little on this every week.
Mom read my directions out loud while I cast on for the gathered cuff cardi out of Classic Elite's gallery booklet. Don't you just love the cover of that booklet?!

Meet Trouble, our newest family member.
-Age, 7.

Before I left for spring break, I finished the body of the foldover cowl pullover. Anxious to see what it looked like, I tried it on and was instantly disappointed.
It may be hard to see from this photo, but it is a bit big. Big in a boxy sort of way. I wore it around the house like this and the look grew on me. I was thinking that perhaps I liked it. Perhaps I liked it big and boxy. Perhaps I needed a big and boxy sweater. I decided to pack it in my suitcase and ask my mother for her advice.

I mentioned I would be back today. 9:49 p.m. counts as today, right? You betcha.
I found myself in need of a few baby gifts around here lately, so I packed a few in my suitcase for my beach (and airplane) knitting. I seem to gravitate towards my favorite baby knits, so thought I would share.

Oh, hey there!