a mid-summer debut...

Please ignore the goofy look on my face. AF loves to take pictures right at the moment just before you're ready. In this case, I think I was in the middle of talking about how much I really didn't want my picture taken. Either way, our recent trip back to his hometown proved to be a perfect place to debut my Summertime Tunic from the Summer Interweave.

I started this project a couple of weeks after the magazine came out. I thought it would be a quick and easy project. I used Jaeger Trinity, that I recycled from an underworn project. I think the yarn is perfect for this top because it's lightweight and has an slightly uneven, bumpy quality.

This was the first time that I have visited Michigan in the summer. Usually, we visit AF's family around Thanksgiving or Christmas...which automatically means cold weather and snow. However, the 4th of July was perfect! The sun shined every day. We visited the Midway at Summer Celebration and rode the Ferris wheel. We walked around the downtown, which is going through a renaissance of sorts. And, we even made time to drive up to Silver Lake for a dune ride.

round one...done.

Due to severe illness, I was home sick yesterday. On a positive note, I was able to finish my Mad Cow Socks.

The first pattern was very straight-forward. I think yarn selection really makes this sock special. Thankfully, I had the right yarns already in my stash. Mine are made of Patons Kroy (hunter green) and Knit Picks (Redwood Forest), using size 2 needles. This was my first sock with short row heels...definitely something I could use more practice executing. I made them top-down because I didn't want to stress about how to do the toe and the heel. I am pleased with how they turned out.

I'm not sure what round two will bring. I'm pretty sure I can't afford to take too much time off just to knit socks. Plus, there are some super speedy knitters out there. When I checked the Sock Madness site on Sunday morning, there were already people posting finished socks!

i love aran...

I'm absolutely pleased with this project. The aran patterns are easy enough to memorize, yet complicated enough to keep it interesting. I just completed the back, and am a few inches into the front.

picture of the week...

Here's my progress on the back of the Gibson Girl Pullover. I snapped this right before walking out the door this morning. I'm done with all of the shaping and will be starting the lace pattern soon. All I can say is that I'll be happy when I'm done with the cabling and 1x1 ribbing. This is the last piece so with any luck, and would love to finish this project by the end of the month...too ambitious?