Enjoying the weather

We had a beautiful Memorial Day here in northern Illinois. The temperature was warm. The sun was shining. The best part was, there was a glorious breeze all day long.

Tollway Tatters met via Zoom on Saturday, and I was able to make pretty good progress with my Star of Bethlehem doily from Bonded with tatting - doilies by Laura Bziukiewicz. 

My sister came to visit Saturday afternoon and spent the night. She left early Sunday to work in her garden, and Dave and I left shortly after. We made a plant delivery and then headed up to visit daughter Alison for the day. My brother came down to spend time with Mom. They're collaborating on a heddle idea for Mom's band weaving.

Memorial Day was very low key for us. Mom and I spent the day knitting, reading, and watching movies. Dave worked outside planting vegetables and flowers. 

Today will be busy. I have three recent high school graduates coming over to help me organize upstairs. It's time to de-clutter!

Summer break

Today was the first day of summer break from school, and it was a busy one! Mom and I did laundry, went grocery shopping, and did a bit of crafting.

I decided that Kara's doll needed a couple of extra touches. So, I made a Yorkshire button bun to spruce up her hair.

I also gave her a little necklace. Kara loves both of the additions! I can hardly wait for the two of them to meet at the end of June.

It was nice to spend time tatting today. I'm a little more than halfway finished with round 5 of my Star of Bethlehem doily from Bonded with tatting - doilies by Laura Bziukiewicz. I plan on working on this during our Tollway Tatters Zoom meeting tomorrow.

We have a busy weekend planned. I sure hope I'm as productive over the next few days!

At last!

 I just finished Kara's doll! Papa held it up so that I could send Kara a picture. Kara approves... yay!

Kara's doll will wait patiently for Kara to pick her up at the end of June. 

Today was the last day of school. Now it's time to get the house ready for daughter Carol's wedding in August. I will definitely take time for tatting!

Petticoat

I finally finished the petticoat for Kara's doll! I started the skirt last night. Starting today, I'm subbing for the last week of school. I'll take the knitting to school with me, just in case I have a little free time. Fingers crossed!

Not much to show

It's been a really slow week craft wise. Mom, Dave, and I all had appointments this week... dentist, hair dresser, doctor... and each of those appointments seems to take up an awful lot of time. I also subbed this week. I can get by with tatting when subbing at the middle school or high school, but not at the elementary school!

I spent a lot of time reading this week. I'm thorough enjoying The Knitty Kitties Mysteries. I'm almost finished with the third book. The first three were free, and I'm seriously considering purchasing the last three books in the series. They're a light hearted, easy read, and that's the type of book I like at this time of year!

I did make a little progress on my sock weight spiral knit tube sock. I'm glad I've been practicing with less expensive sock yarns. My tension seems to be improving as I move along.

The petticoat for Kara's doll is coming along very slowly. This needs to be 5.5" long. I'm not even halfway there yet!

I did not work on my Star of Bethlehem doily at all this week. We had a few hot and humid days in the middle of the week, and I had no motivation to do anything other than sit and read for those few days. Let's hope I feel more motivated this coming week!

Relaxing weekend

As expected, I didn't do much on Saturday. I did spend most of the day in my chair working on Star of Bethlehem from Bonded with Tatting - doilies  by Laura Bziukiewicz. I love the way this round is worked. It's like working on three rounds at the same time!

This is Dave's busiest time of year at work, so daughter Carol came over in the morning to help out with mowing. She also brought Mom's favorite dish to celebrate Mother's Day... homemade macaroni and cheese! My brother came to visit as well. It was a beautiful day!

After everyone left, I decided it was time to get back to granddaughter Kara's doll. Mom finished the body weeks ago, and I've been picking up and putting down the bits of clothing I've been working on. The apron is almost done, but Kara doesn't want an apron. The bonnet is almost done, but Kara doesn't want a bonnet. The shawl is finished, but that's the last piece to get added. Bloomers were next on the list, and I just wasn't enjoying making the bloomers. They're done now! 

I started the petticoat last night. After that, I need to knit the skirt, and then put everything together. I know Kara will love her doll!

This week's math

 

Two sub days plus three sick days equals very little craft time. I'm thinking that subbing at the elementary school might be something I need to steer clear of since I seem to catch a cold whenever I'm around those little ones.

I'm on the mend, but I think I'll be taking it easy today.

Another sock pattern

I subbed all day today, so I was too tired to concentrate on anything complicated after school. As I was working on my worsted weight spiral knit socks, I kept thinking about making them in sock weight yarn. This is Lion Brand Magic Stripes, a color that has been in my stash for a while. 

The pattern is Spiral Socks without Heel Pattern #311 and can be found here: https://freevintageknitting.com/print/1020

This is very similar to the pattern I just finished. There are more stitches, and the pattern is K4, P4. The pattern on the previous pair was K3, P3. There will be no finishing a sock in one day this time!

Sunday visitor

 

Mom saw this chubby little guy peering through the sliding door to our deck. He scurried away when I headed toward the sunporch, but I managed to get a picture of him as he nibbled out back. You just never know what critters you will see when you live in the country!

I spent the day knitting yesterday, and I surprised myself by finishing the second spiral knit tube sock. 

I never really thought I could knit an entire sock in one day, even if it is in worsted weight yarn! 

I was tempted to start knitting another pair of socks, but I chose to work on the bloomers for granddaughter Kara's doll. I have too many works in progress, and I need to finish them up!

I've started round 5 of Star of Bethlehem from Bonded with tatting - doilies by Laura Bziukiewicz. It takes concentration, but it is so pretty!