California Dreamin'

Just back from a whirlwind week in sunny California. Mostly it was a family visit, though we crammed in as many meet-ups and catch-ups as we could.

One of those meet-ups was with our newest family member and first great-nephew, Lincoln. I couldn't bear to meet him empty handed so I dropped everything and began a pair of socks for him with plenty of time to spare. But then I had that little crochet upset and put the socks aside. That's how I found myself on a southbound flight with my first sock on the needles and a knitting deadline, albeit a very small one, looming. Turns out, when you stop getting distracted, these are a very quick knit. I kitchnered the first one during our layover at SeaTac and knit the next one with plenty of time to spare.

Lincoln's Socks

Pattern: Baby to Toddler Sized Socks by Miriam L. Felton
Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug leftovers (less than an ounce)
Needles: US size 1 dpns
Size: These were supposed to be "infant" sized. Lincoln, at three months, still has some growing to do before they'll fit him.

Baby socks basking in the sun on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Cambria, CA

After completing these I was motivated once again by my Minimalist Cardigan. Refreshed and energized, I finished up the second front side and began the first sleeve while still down south. But I also made my way into a yarn store and found my next distraction...

Noro Cash Iroha. Hats anyone?

A Change in the Weather

I found this nifty pattern while cruising around Ravelry and suddenly it was all about the crocheting around here. I just could not resist. I started it one afternoon and finished while watching The Wizard of Oz that evening.

And then I turned around and made another little bit smaller one. I may have gotten the crocheting out of my system for awhile, but you never can tell...

Pattern: Fan Bookmark, by Crocheteroo

Yarn: DMC 5
Hook: 2.1 mm (US3)
Modifications: Besides using a heavier cotton and bigger hook than suggested, I made the tassels longer - long enough to hang outside of a book so that I could add beads.

Pattern: Fan Bookmark, by Crocheteroo
Yarn: DMC 8
Hook: 1.65mm
Modifications: I made the tassels longer - long enough to hang outside of a book so that I could add beads. And I only did 7 pattern repeats. I like things in odd numbers.

I ironed both with spray starch as the pattern suggested, and was pleased with the level of starchiness I achieved. They're not too crisp, not too floppy, just right.

In other changing weather news, just over a week ago, we got our first snow in Juneau. This photo was taken the next morning when the skies cleared and the sun shown on our freshly whitened peaks. But since then it's been mostly rainy and warmish*, and nearly all of the snow at sea level has melted away. I'm sure it will be back.


*warmish being a relative term, of course. It's been in the mid to high 30's (Fahrenheit) most days. Today it got above 40!