Four Day Weekend

May I just begin by saying that four day weekends are lovely. I now work four 10-hour days per week, so I regularly get three day weekends. This week we had Monday off for Veteran's Day (ah, the joys of working for the government), so Michael and I got to enjoy a leisurely four day weekend. Not only that, we will get another one next week because of Thanksgiving. It's wonderful. I spent much of my weekend knitting. I'm nearly done with the sweater for Michael. I'm almost done with the second sleeve, then I need to put it together and knit the trim around the neckline. I anticipate finishing it this coming weekend. I'll post photos when it's done. It's not much to look at just yet. My other Christmas project, the stole for my mom, is well under way. It's called the Voyager Lace Stole, and you can view the pattern and photos of it here. I just realized this weekend that at the bottom of the lace chart it says to repeat the chart 40 times. I just finished number 17. So, I'm almost halfway done, but still have quite a way to go. Not too bad though for two weeks and two days of work. Again, pictures will be posted later. Probably not until after Christmas due to the fact that my mom knows I'm knitting it for her and she's not allowed to see it until Christmas Day. My second sock is nearly to the turn of the heel, which is nice. I'll be glad when it's done, as I'll have a complete pair. My first pair of hand-knit socks just for me! The only other socks I've knit were baby ones for my niece, as mentioned last time. Last night I began yet another project. My friend Cynthia is pregnant and I am knitting her baby a cute pair of pants out of really soft wool yarn. I'm most of the way done with the first leg. The nice thing about knitting baby clothes from worsted weight yarn is that it goes pretty quickly. I'll post some photos of those when they're done, but if you'd like to see the pattern, you can go here. Enjoy!

On Nieces and Knitting

So, our nieces came to visit a couple weeks ago, and let me tell you, they are cute. We had lots of fun getting to play with Allyson and Lauren. Uncle Michael was dubbed "Michael-Michael" and I became "Attah." Here is a picture of both girls. Allyson is the older one, and Lauren is the baby. We went up to Greenbluff north of Spokane and got apples and pumpkins and rode on a little train. We also stopped at an alpaca farm. Allyson loves animals, and was excited to see some. While they were here, I got to give them the things I'd knitted for them over the last few months. I made Allyson a really cute sweater that I got the pattern for from lionbrand.com. She looks adorable in it, as you can see.
To the right is a picture of Allyson and I before we left for Greenbluff. Isn't she cute? Both girls loved Michael. He's great with little kids, and babies are fascinated with him anyway. I think it's because he doesn't have any hair either. Here's a picture of Lauren laughing like crazy while Michael was playing with Allyson.And here's a picture of Allyson with her Michael-Michael.


I also made Lauren a pair of socks and a blanket, pictured below.















Since then I've been knitting like crazy on a pair of socks for me (one's done and I've started the other), a sweater for Michael (it's getting close to being done) and a lacy scarf for my mom. I'll post pictures as they are completed. I also have a sweater for myself on the needles, but it's on hold for now due to the volume of other projects. I'm also going to be starting a couple things for a friend who is pregnant, but I need the patterns first. I'll keep you all posted!