Trying to Finish . . .

My dishcloth diversions have been quick, small projects.  Now my thoughts have turned to larger, long-standing WIPs.  I'm been looking through them and decided to commit myself to finishing as many as possible.  Granted there are not too many relative to other knitters (hubby thinks I'm easily distracted, but there are knitters out there with loads more WIPs than me).

Finished Man-Sized Non-Felted Slipper

First off, there's hubby's slippers.  I had only to seam the bottoms and sides (and of course the ends had to be woven in).  The fit in the foot is good, but it needs more height 'round the ankle.  I think next time I use this pattern for man-sized feet, I'll have to add more rounds on the cuff.

There's an afghan I wanna finish, a teddy bear and a cardigan (it only needs one sleeve and button bands).  There is a woolen sock, but that can wait till late summer (since I probably won't need it till fall).  I'd love to make another baby cardi for my other niece but . . . Must. Stay. Focused!

Dishcloth Desires

Yeah, sometimes its the simplest item that brings out the creative side . . . especially if you've got a nice collection of scrap yarns, namely in cottons (mine are mostly Bernat Handicrafter Cotton).

I've already regaled you with laundry and water mishaps concerning my dishcloths.  Some have had to go the way of the trash can (it's pretty bad when a dishcloth can't even find a second career as a cleaning cloth).

First dishcloth in blue and white

To that end I started with one dishcloth (incidentally I really loved the contrast of blue against white . . . until the hard water got a hold it--grrrrrrr!).

That dishcloth led to another whose colour combo was less than exciting or even inspiring . . . 

Second cloth in less inspiring yellow and blue

Until I discovered a small stash of colourful scraps hiding out in the black hole known as my craft closet (I gotta re-organize my stuff, but I've been busy "spring-cleaning"  the dressers and closets) . . . 

Cotton Stash

Just love, love, love the colour combo (although there are lotta ends to weave).  Gotta make more in these colours and maybe even experiment with a different stitch pattern like a stripey waffle pattern.  I'll keep you posted.

Pretty Finished Dishlcoth

Have a good week!

Mother's Day Greetings

To all the moms--and especially to my own mom . . . 

Tulips courtesy of Windows Sample Photos

For the tiny acts of kindness, the self-less giving and the gentle words of encouragement: these are the things that have given me strength, courage and hope to tarry on even in the face of adversity.  From the bottom of my heart, many thanks mom! 

xoxo

Sunshine and Such . . .

Ever have one of those days when you drop your knitting in the corner and venture outside? A day where the sun beckons you outdoors?  Well, this was one of those weekends, with glorious blue skies and warm sunshine.

Clothes drying outside

The clothes ventured on to the line for the first time since last fall.  So nice to wear clothes dried outside--they smell so fresh like sun on skin or freshly cut grass.

Front garden

And I finally managed to clean out the flower garden out front.  Lots of  broken branches and debris leftover from winter.  Life has sprung anew as the garden slowly awakens from its winter slumber: everything is sprouting, including the weeds!  

Dwarf Red Tulips

The garden looks so sparse.  I can hardly wait to get myself to the garden centre in search of new plants and flowers to fill in the empty spaces . . . 

Have a good week!

Country Time Spring?

The "girls"enjoying the sunshine

The "girls" are very pleased to be be outdoors.  The winter had been harsh on them.  Out of the original seven, only four remain . . . Guess we need to add to the flock.  We've gotten used to eatin' lots of eggs . . . 

Grass Gettin' Green

The grass is getting green, even if the trees haven't gone green yet.  At least we've had our share of sunshine--even if the temperatures have remained on the cool side.

Splashes of purple . . . 

And there's a lovely purple flower ground cover growing under the lilac bushes . . . very pretty.

Hope you're having a good week!

Knittin' Stuff

There's no shortage of knittin' projects over at casa d'acrylic.  Hubby's slippers are almost done.  They just need some seaming--and none too soon as his old ones are almost disintegrating as I write this . . . eeek! Must sew post haste!

Man-sized Non-Felted Slippers

And I started another lovely ballband dishcloth.  I've made this pattern before.  It's easy, looks great and works much better than the ol' traditional garter stitch dishcloth (doesn't stretch out too much when wet, yet still has scruffy surface for scrubbing).  My old dishcloths are fading fast.  Living in the country with hard water can take a toll on one's laundry, especially the linens that go in and out of the water.  

Ballband Dishcloth in progress

Since there`s plenty of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton in the stash, I'm makin' more of these dishcloths.  Think 5 to 6 would suffice?  Maybe I should make more?  Let's see how quickly I get bored with the pattern . . . . 

Finished Avocado

Oh, and I mustn't forget:  Avocado is complete!  Buttons and ends sewn into place.  I think it looks very cute with the wooden buttons--very rustic feel to it.  Hubby is set to bring home a box so I can mail it off to my sister.  Hopefully my niece will be able to wear it before the weather gets too warm or she outgrows it (Ya gotta know I'm already planning another cardigan for the fall--hope 12 months will work for sizing).

Have a great week!

Spring?

Maybe?  See the tiny spikey leaves poking from the ground?  See the little hints of white, yellow (and yes, even purple)?

Note to self: plant next year's bulbs in bunches.  I was trying to maneuver 'round the perennials and the crocuses ended up in a row instead . . . 

I wasn't sure 'bout the clay-like soil in my garden bed (I need compost and maybe even some mulch 'round the perennials to add stuff to the dirt), so I didn't plant as many as I should have.  Yup, definitely need more bulbs!