I Can Pickle That

First it was strawberry jam. Love! I hadn't canned since moving up here - probably since before the kiddos were born. I'd forgotten how much fun (and work, but mostly fun) it is to can. 

My favorite farm at the South Side Farmers Market had pickle cukes yesterday. I'd been thinking about trying pickles - perfect opportunity! Those two little containers I bought had more in them than I thought. I now have 7 jars cooling on the stove. All the lids have popped (a happy sound, indeed) and now we just have to wait 6 weeks to see if they're any good. 

Perils of magic loop

And then there was the time I accidentally caught the cable in my hand after brushing my hair out of my eyes and ripped the needle out of all the fussy stitches. Fortunately, I was able to pick them all up properly and continue. 

Ocean inspired swatching

Our fabulous week at the beach with extended family is (sadly) over, but I came home with a real need to design and knit a rectangular shawl for my dear Aunt Mary, who made the gathering possible. 

This pattern is in my trusty 400 stitches dictionary, and it's perfect. I've also worked out a pointy border to match up with the 12 row pattern.  (Hooray for graph paper)

The shawl is cast on in a vibrant red that will suit her to a T!

Holiday Knitting Cancelled

Well... The projects I'd finished as of Sunday are the ones that shall be gifted. My poor hubby's gift will not be in that group. Ice storm. Stepped on the top step, landed on the bottom step on my, well, bottom. Hurt nothing but my wrist - but oh boy. Still hurts a lot - not driving yet- but sadly one of my first thoughts, accompanied by an internal Homer Simpson scream, was Aaaaaaa. I can't knit now!  

Luckily, I have the best husband ever who has been taking fabulous care of me. He'll understand about the sweater. 

{this moment}

{a single photo. no words. a moment to savor and remember from the week}

{see http://www.soulemama.com}

Completed project!

My dear teen finished the needle-felted pumpkin I got her at Rhinebeck this year. I thought she'd like trying it and she did a great job with the kit. 

I finished the orange and black striped socks just before Halloween but forgot to take a pic. They looked great with the black Doc Marten Mary Janes! 

The Weasley sweater is coming along. I have concerns about the sleeves, but it will all work out. 

Let the Holiday Knitting Race Begin

It's November. How did that happen? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was frantically finishing a Rhinebeck sweater? The weather has turned. We've had to fire up the heating system. The brilliantly colored leaves I look at daily out my kitchen window are gone - casualties of the windy weekend.

I don't mind the colder weather. I like snuggling up in my knits and flannels. I love wearing all my hand-knit wool socks. Fall is my favorite season, and Thanksgiving may be my favorite holiday. But it's also Holiday Knitting Season. This year, my dear Harry Potter {Books more than the movies} obsessed 10 year old daughter is getting a Weasley Sweater. The back is done. The front is half done. I cannot wait to see it finished. I have visions of wrapping it in brown kraft paper, tying it with twine and topping it with a stuffed owl before tucking it under the tree.

Once that's done, I'll be back to the monumental task of knitting up the Fort sweater for my dear {6'2"} husband. Fingers crossed!