View From The Front Porch...

I opened my front door and this is what I saw...

This morning is so wet and so dark. Cozy lights are on, I'm listening to Arstidir, knitting on my lap, coffee is already finished. Not a bad morning at all...

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Knit, Knit, Purl...

Photo taken by Kathy Cadigan.

Here is a little update on my knitting projects of late:

When visiting The Netherlands last June, I bought five skeins of Schachenmayr regia 4-ply sock yarn in a light grey for very good money. I had been thinking of a simple light weight sweater for myself, but just couldn't decide on a pattern. Then our lovely dog Olive died early in July and I just knew I had to have something on the needles to help me with the process of letting go of her. 

So I went for the  free Flax Light pattern by Tin Can Knits to start with. Instead of their garter stitch panel on the sleeves I added a free sock pattern called Kalajoki that I also found on Ravelry. I added  a few stripes on the body, added a faux seam (p1, k1tbl, p1) on each side and a split hem on the bottom. It is super light, but still warm and I just love wearing it. A keeper!  {smile}

Sometime in July/ August I visited Churchmouse Yarns, another lovely yarn shop on Bainbridge Island with some of my cohorts from Tolt Yarn. There I came across a fun fisherman's cap (Seaworthy Gansey Cap) that they had on display. I found out it was one of their own patterns and so I purchased it and the yarn and made one for Mr. G. 

The difficulty of this pattern was to knit with worsted weight yarn (fairly thick) on US 1 needles ! (which are very small) This gives a very tight fabric which helps with the brim shaping. Love it also! I haven't made a picture of Mr. G. actually wearing it but will do soon...

Right now I have a sweater for Mr. G. on the needles called Goat Herder. I'm knitting it in Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter in Barn Owl. I normally knit sweaters top down (so starting at the neck) but this one is a bottom up one. It has short row sleeves as well, all new techniques for me!

I'm also working on a new shawl called Mainline, but I don't have any pictures of this one yet. The cable cast on of 450 stitches took me absolutely forever and so far I've only knit the first 8 rows. Can't wait for those decreases to start!  <wink>

If you would like to see other things I've knit then you can always check my Ravelry page for more details.

Happy Knitting everybody!

PS: The first picture was taken by Kathy Cadigan, a professional photographer and super knitter. She came along on our visit to the Asian Museum in Seattle to see the Indigo exhibit last week. I happened to be wearing my latest creation and she asked to photograph me and it. Of course I said Yes!  {smile}

Pretty Light at 3pm...

Just pretty, that's all...

Pumpkins Galore...

Oh man, I am so behind in posting here. I've been on several field trips with my yarn gals, finished my grey sweater (two weeks ago already!) etc. etc.

The most important thing right now though is the home visit of our youngest for a few days. She arrived Friday evening from L.A. where she goes to college and will sadly be leaving again tonight. But, it was wonderful to even have her here, so no complaints. {smile}

The weather has  certainly become very autumnal, so she was quite cold. The day she flew in it was 91 F in L.A. and only in the lower 60's over here... We went to Costco, made a beef stew (and the next day a Chicken Pot Pie), did some shopping and of course we had to go to our local pumpkin field to pick up a load of them. Good times!

We're also dog sitting again this week for our two most favorite Labradors Bo & Aero. Lots of walks along the river and snuggles in bed...

Grey / Gray...

Just having some fun with it all...

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That Last Day of Summer...

It took me a while to recover from The Specials concert Tuesday night, so I didn't have enough energy to go out running yesterday. I did want to go outside though, so I grabbed my little folding chair and my water bottle and walked down to the Tolt River. Isn't it amazing we can just walk from our house and be in this fabulous environment every single day?

Anyway, I had also brought my Kindle and spent two hours right next to the river enjoying those last warm rays of sunshine for the year. (having just written that, I think they are expecting 80 degrees this coming Monday!) What a perfect way to spend that last day of summer....

I have to admit though that I'm also loving this beginning of a new season. We've had some much cooler mornings and it smells just so fresh outside. My running went crazy last week: 3.22 miles, 3.65 miles and then 4.10 miles, all in one week!  Yesss! 

And with views like this on my run, what's not to like?

Just Being Quiet...

Last night we went to see The Specials in Seattle. They are a British Ska band from the early eighties and I had always wanted to see them perform live and Man, I had so much fun! I knew all the songs! {smile} 

This morning I didn't wake up until 9 and my body was sooo tired, but also so happy. I'm taking it very easy, slowly going through all the social media (and other media too of course) making my regular breakfast smoothie (banana, pear, spinach, yogurt, water and flax seed) and whilst doing that I noticed the beautiful early Fall light outside in the garden. A quick walk in the wet grass in my robe and slippers to show you a few beauties. No editing.

And breathe...

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So I wrote the above about half an hour ago, but then I was thinking that I hadn't shown you my awesome two-toned Dr. Martens (which I've had for ages and which weigh a ton!) and The Specials themselves etc., so here it comes:

Black & White Suede Docs...

Terry Hall!!

Whilst driving into Seattle last night...

They played Stereotype, Ghost Town, Guns of Navarone, Concrete Jungle, Man at C&A, Message to you Ruby and lots of others. It was just fabulous!!! {happy dance}