New Project Started!

I have started a new project. This is certainly not the first pair of socks that I've ever started, but I've made up mind that these will be the first pair that I complete!!

This is the start of You and Me Socks designed by Debbie O'Neill. As if I didn't already have enough yarn, I joined the Sock of the Month Club--yes, there is such a thing as a sock of the month. Luckily you can join to receive a pattern and yarn every other month because realistically, I just don't have time to knit a pair of socks a month with all the other commitments (like work) that I have going on. But, every other month seems like something I could handle.

So, here is the start of my first sock that I am going to complete!!

I have about another inch of the ribbing to do, and then on the the pattern of the sock itself. We'll see how this goes, and I'll post some pictures as I go along--so you can see how this is coming and for my own accountability!!

Now, I've had some people ask me about dishcloths--why so many dishcloths? I belong to two different dishcloth groups--each knitting two dishcloths a month--that adds up to a lot of dishcloths in a year!!

I have to say this about dishcloths--they are versatile and useful in so many ways--not only for dishes!! I use them in the shower, to dust, the older ones I use to scrub the floors. And then I have these two daughters who are always asking for these for themselves and friends.

And here's the greatest thing about knitting a dishcloth--I almost always learn something new that I haven't tried before--a new stitch, a new technique--that I can carry over onto a project that will certainly cost more than a dishcloth. These are an inexpensive way to learn something new!!

I have a new one going on right now from Knit Dishcloths designed by my friend, Aunt Kathy. This one is going to be round with bobbles!! What??? Bobbles?? Well, I've tried these before without much success, but she has promised to help me!! Thank you, Aunt Kathy!!

Another question I've been asked--Do I love to knit and truly find it relaxing? Yes, I do!!

A cup of coffee, some good music, a skein of yarn and needles--I'm happy and set for a day!! (oh, but I have to go to work in order to pay for this enjoyment!)!!!

I've got to go now and get ready for work soon. There's about 4 inches of snow that I have to clean from my car before I can go anywhere!! I'll be sure to be back later and share some pictures of the most snow we've had this year. I think Aunt Kathy has it all at her house--would you mind sharing--just a little bit, Kathy? We're missing our snow here this year!!

Beth

Thursday--it's been a long week--even though I only worked half-days every day but today because of the youngest being here from Texas. And, tomorrow--YEAH!!!---I don't have to go to work at all!!

I'll be so glad to have a day away from the workplace. It's just been crazier than usual--trying to train a new person, school physicals, sports physicals, and the never-ending sinus problems and allergies.

I don't know what we're going to do tomorrow, but we're going to do something fun--I can guarantee that!! I'll be sure to take my camera in case I see anything interesting.

My young Texas transplant always like to cook a meal while she's visiting, so tonight was the night. She made chicken parmesan, zucchini with a tomato, cheese and garlic sauce and garlic breadknots. She's turned into quite the good cook!! All three kids were here for dinner, and it was nice to be all together once again.

Tonight the kids are off to the river to spend some time with friends. One of their friend's parents have a pontoon boat, and it should be a beautiful night to cruise up and down the river.

Me?--I'm going to finish a couple of projects I have sitting around just waiting for me. I have decided that I need to finish up some things before I start anything new. That's always hard for me because I see a project and want to get started on it right away. Then, before I know it I have too many things to finish, and I don't know where to begin again!!

And, those socks!! They're going to wait until my daughter leaves to go home. That way I'll have some time to concentrate on what I'm doing.

K--that's all for a while!!

Beth

So, here it is Sunday already, and what did I get accomplished this weekend?? Did I clean like I told myself I was going to do? Of course not!! A a couple of loads of laundry this afternoon, and that was about it into my ventures of housecleaning.













What I did accomplish was the first part of my very first sock. Now, realize that I have tried this before and failed. I've never gotten so far as past the ribbing for the cuff.













Here's my SAL:

As usual, my picture isn't very good. But, there are cables down the back of heel flap, which is what this is. When I came home from church, I finished this, turned the heel, and now I'm working on the instep of this sock, which also has a cable design. I can hardly believe that I've come this far on this sock!!

I'm almost finished both of my KAL's. I have the instructions for both of them to be finished today, but I put them aside in favor of working on this sock.

And, here's a picture of my little kitty, Miles. Remember, Miles??

He's very hard to take a picture of because he's always on the move. I just happened to catch him waking up from a nap! He is a very actice kitty, but he learned early on that yarn is not a playtoy!

I just received a weather bulletin that we're going to have severe thunderstorms. I can't wait!! I love a good thunderstom. All that power unleashed--reminds me of the fact that God is in power and He is the one in control, not me. No, not me--never. And what happens when I try to control things--that is when they begin to come unraveled!!

K-that's all for a while!

Talk to you tomorrow!

Beth

And here I had made up my mind to post everyday!! Oh, well!! Sometimes things just get out of hand, and I run out of time.

So, I went Saturday and bought some really nice yarn for my socks for my SAL. I haven't started them yet. I need to make sure I have enough concentration in my brain to get these done!!

Started two KAL's, one two days ago and the other today.

And here's a cool thing that I picked up from Aunt Kathy's Place--one of my favorite blogs!! It's a mosaic that you can put together about yourself on Flickr.

Here's how mine turned out:

Across the top: Beth Hart (from the band--spelling just a little different), steamed crabs, an ariel view of Catonsville, MD where I grew up. Next row: blue, Johnny Depp, coffee. Third row: The beach, cheesecake, mother. Last row: Jesus (set me free), friendly, and youneverletgo.

Just answer these questions on a Flickr search. Then pick one image from only the first page of selections. Plug them into the Big Huge Lab Mosaic Maker--and there you have it!!

Questions:

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food?

3. What high school did you go to?

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush? (I really don't have one, but Johnny Depp comes close!)

6. What is your favorite drink?

7. What is your dream vacation?

8. What is your favorite dessert?

9. What did you want to be when you grew up?

10. What do you love most in life?

11. One word to describe you.

12. Your Flickr account name.

If you make a mosaic, let me know. I'd love to see it!!

Have a wonderful rest of the day!!

Beth

May KAL

Here's a picture of my beginning of May KAL. For those of you who don't know what a KAL is, I'll try to explain. KAL stands for "knit a long". In the beginning of May, I received (via e-mail, of course!) about 10 rows of instructions for about 5-6 days. I have no idea what I'm going to be knitting (except that it is a dishcloth). At the end of the 5-6 days, I have a completed project.

This occurs again on the 15th of May--5 to 6 days of instruction, and again another dishcloth. But, it's all a mystery until it's completed. And one of the really cool things--the second KAL of the month--I always learn a new stitch or a new technique that I can carry over onto other projects--love that--learning new things!!

I can see the heart in the bottom of this one and the beginnings of something else--maybe a butterfly? Any quesses??

I'll post another picture when it's completed and then we can all see what it really is. I was sure I was knitting a dishcloth with an Easter egg on it in April. But, I was wrong--it turned out to be a bunny!!

Right now, I'm TRYING to teach myself to knit socks. I'm almost finished the first part of the first one, and I have this beautiful new yarn staring me in the face just calling to me to make it into a pair of socks. Well, just stop calling to me, please!! I have to finish two socks because I have two feet, and you'll just have to wait!!