Don’t even get me started on the cast-on-itis I’ve had (apparently I suffer this common knitting malady on a regular basis. It’s like clockwork).

After casting on for so many different projects that I now need to complete them (complete. frog. potato. potatoe.) so I can free up some knitting needles (sizes 5, 6, 7 and 8, I’m talking to you), I’m this close to being done with Wandering the Moor. (Lace and I. We have a bit of a complicated – not quite a love hate, but close – relationship). It’s a pretty quick knit, or would be if I didn’t keep messing up on row 15. Four times. We had to go our separate ways for a couple of days, the shawl and I. But, now, we’ve reached an tentative truce and things seem to be coming along swimmingly.

There has been lot’s of gardening, farmer’s market shopping and cooking going on as well. Mr. Plucky got it in his head that I needed to make him a brisket (BTW~ Smitten Kitchen, if you haven’t seen the SK website, you must. Now. Go ahead, I’ll wait), and, with all the gardening work he’s been doing it was my solemn duty to oblige. I find he works much better when tempted with food. Especially beef.

The brisket recipe calls for one (two if you can handle the heat) chilpotle pepper in adobo sauce. My question is, what to do with the rest of the can? Any recipes out there you can recommend? Should I freeze them? Seems such a shame to have to throw the rest of the can away.

Shelbie’s succulents

Fresh cut bouquet from the farmer’s market. Don’t you just love spring?

19 years ago today.

I’ve now been with him for more than half my life and what a life it’s been.

Happy Anniversary.

Well now this is embarrassing. I have a confession to make – in almost five full years of knitting under my belt, I’ve only knit four complete (emphasis on complete, though the number of single socks I’ve knit has reached obnoxious proportions) pair of socks. Second Sock Syndrome indeed. That is until now!

Just finished my fifth pair and I dare say I’ve figured out the secret. Take yourself to a tropical island with no other knitting (again, must emphasize the importance of having no other knitting, yarn, patterns or even a computer with you), throw in two especially windy days (which conveniently kept me out of the water and on the beach with my knitting), a couple of margaritas and some kicky salsa and guacamole and quicker than you can say snorkel, I had a pair of Monkeys done! In fact, I finished them so quickly I had two full days with nothing, absolutely nothing to knit!

Yarn and pattern. Check.

Ocean front bar and margarita. Check. (Though make sure you pace yourself or all your hard work will be in vain) with chips, salsa and guacamole, of course.

Voila! Two socks. Fini!

And how cute are these guys? Our table mates at this little beach front bar where we had the most fantastic shrimp tacos.

Few more scenes from the beach~

And then…. back to reality.

I have the best – BEST it tell you – customers/knitty friends ever. They are crazy talented, diverse, helpful and entertaining. And helpful! Oh, I already said that, sorry. It’s just that they are so helpful!

A few weeks ago I sent out a knitting S.O.S. to the ladies in the plucky group on Ravelry that I was in need of some test knits for the upcoming show for the Madison Knitters Guild in Madison, WI (March 13th if you’re keeping track).

Anyway – the test knits have begun to trickle in and they are fantastic. I just had to share them. You can be sure I’ll be back with more as they arrive. So, without further ado ~

CanCan Mitts knit in the 80.20 merino nylon fingering weight. The stitch definition on this yarn is great – they just POP. Dare I say it – I think, with a bit of tweaking, you could easily get two pair of mitts out of one skein of yarn. I weighed the mitts and they came in at approx 42g with a whopping 76g left. These little numbers were knit by the so very generous Marla. Thank you Marla – they are perfect!!!

Herbivore – this beauty was whipped up by Ulli. Again, knit up in the 80.20 merino nylon fingering. Ulli – thank you so much, it’s simply stunning.

Look who got new specs~

Or ‘why I’m now ok with wearing a scarf with a pointy end’……

Truth be told, lace has always intimidated me. While I surely appreciated the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into knitting lace (as well as designing the patterns for goodness sakes!) I never thought it to be something I would be interested in wearing. Ever. In all honesty, it just seemed so….. old. And, why oh why would I want to wear something that pointed straight at my bum? Really??? Or that had the potential to make me look much older than I ever want to??? (Just being honest here). And, well, as I said, it intimidated the daylights out of me. But then I started seeing all these Ishbels (and other amazing lace projects) pop up in the Plucky Knitter Group on Ravelry (go have a look, you’ll get a kick out of all the great projects) and I just couldn’t help myself.

And, from a purely functional standpoint, it’s a fantastic scarf. The drape is great, pairs well with collared shirts or a plain old tee and cardi (which happen to be my uniform of choice) and it’s great for more temperate environments as it’s not bulky at all. So, you’ll never see me sporting a shawl (or shawlette if you will) worn the traditional way, but you will see me with them bunched up around the neck/shoulders as a scarf/wrap.

Raveled

Since the finished Ishbel is such a hit I am now knitting Hayworth. It’s so Art Deco-y…… I’m actually further along than this pic suggests (wish I were further along as I am suppose to be test knitting – Sorry Victoria!!!), it’s a surprising quick knit (would be even quicker had I not left it on the patio and then had it drenched by a sudden down-pour and then had to unskein, wait for it to dry and then reskein). Hayworth is the first (can you believe it?!!?) design by the lovely Victoria. Check it out, really, you’ll love it.

Whether you’re having fun or not! I can’t believe another summer weekend has come and gone.  The last couple weeks have been completely insane around these parts (which is why the poor neglected plucky blog has been even more quiet than normal). But, we put all the insanity on hold to head West to Madison, WI to see some friends (with a stop in Rockford, IL to drop our carpooling companion off to see some more old friends). The weekend has been planned since March – no way were we going to let this pass us by!

There was the Art Fair On The Square that offered fantastic browsing opportunities and then, of course, the Farmer’s Market. How I LOVE a great market. Splurged and got two loaves of this. WOW.

Love the Capitol in the background. What a setting.

Say hi to Hickory Mr. Koa!!!  Fully aware that I look a little crazed here. We were getting ready for a night on the town (which never happens) so I was a little excited!

They’re so dandy.

Just being silly.

Next morning we were up and at it, back to Rockford to pick up or intrepid travel partner, the fabulous Ms. Nicole.

But, wait, the most exciting part?!?!? I kid you not….I’m knitting an Ishbel and it’s totally keeping my attention. Just the knitting distraction I’ve needed.

The last few months I’ve had what can only be described as the worst cast of castonitis I have ever encountered. Nothing is holding my attention and I think I’ve figured out why-  my thinking was all wrong! ALL WRONG!  I was under the misguided impression (my own impression) that I needed mashed potato (you know, comfort food) knitting. When what I really needed was something to make me think (I need a knitting distraction!). Now, I know Ishbel is a pretty simple lace pattern, but for this lace newbie (terrified lace newbie would be more accurate) it’s just the ticket to keep me on my toes. And, as a bonus, I got to join all the Plucky Knitters in the Lace KAL! Whether or not I get it done it time remains to be seen, but here I go nonetheless. Though, I have to say, it seems to be flying along so far.I’m at the lace part, section B to be exact and I’m in love with this knit.

Now – off to tame my email in-basket….. Happy Monday everyone!