Monster Mish Mash

Well- the good news is that I'm knitting now more than I have in the last 2 months... as things start to wind down we find our evenings with an hour or two where I can sit and commune with the needles again.  The bad news is that even that doesn't make this blanket seem to go any faster.

Yes.  It's progress.  But I've forgotten what a time/yarn suck garter stitch knitting is.  It's slow.  (Note to self....  keep it light on garter stitch projects from here on out!)  The good news is that the rows are starting to feels shorter as the decreases have started adding up- and it's, in theory, faster knitting from here on out.  Would love to make some real progress on this soon- just so that I can move on to some of the moving pieces on this to at last feel like I'm getting somewhere.

Also, this weekend, after having a discussion with my MiL, I decided to enter a simple project I knit earlier this year into the Stampede.  The idea of not participating at all kind of had me down and I decided I could put something in- even if it wasn't my usual type pieces.  I'll keep that a surprise until the entry is in.  Usually I enter something I've knit that I'd categorize as "extra special".  This time I'd more categorize the project as "nice job"- but nothing outstanding.  It'll be interesting to see where that stacks up in the grand scheme of judging.

And that dear people is it.  I'm hoping next time I'm here, it's to celebrate the end of a seemingly endless forray into garter stitch and the blanket will start taking (faster) shape.  Do not fret pets, for there is hope in July.  A few morning/afternoon camps are planned and I'm hoping to capitalize on some knitting then too.

I'll leave you with this photo I took last week of Parker and I at the park- because it's cute and, well, it's my blog I can do what I like.  Haha.

Actually....

**THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY TO DO ALL THE THINGS I WANT TO DO!!!***  (she screams into the black abyss)

It's June?  How is it June?  My kid just started Kindergarten!  I just got into a working schedule and soon school is done!?  HOW IS THIS HAPPENING!?  It just seems like every time I should have some time to sneak in a few rows of something... there's something else that says "actually... no" on the schedule.

"Actually No... you can't knit this weekend... you are going to be blowing your kid's mind with cool space stuff at the Johnson Space center...."

PS. The Saturn V Rocket is HUGE.

"Actually No... you can't knit on Tuesday.... you volunteered to chaperone a field trip to a farm!"

(I was super excited to pet the wool of a sheep... the kids could care less about what I had to tell them about wool and lanolin.)

This is a total aside but it was one of the "fun facts" posted and it was so interesting and also horrifying at the same time.  (Jeez Boy Bunny... leave her alone for a minute!!!)

Actually you have to go here, actually you have a meeting there, actually you have an event to attend here.... ACTUALLY ACTUALLY ACTUALLY.

It's sad that I'm ACTUALLY looking forward to a rainy forecast this weekend where maybe we can indulge in a few movies and I can ACTUALLY KNIT for a change.

There has been a "smattering" of knit progress... the hat(s!) are done.

Pattern: Cabled Teddy Hat by Marinda Lariz
Needles: US 6
Yarn: Cascade Anchor Bay 18 Taupe
Notes:  You'll note I knit this twice.  I finished hat one and realized that I began the decreases one repeat too early... and so I cast on hat #2.  I'll keep hat 1 for another babe... and #2 will go to Kindergarten teacher.  I've decided to just give her the hat and skip the booties.  I don't have time and baby might not want wool boots when it's born in August anyways.

This pic shows that yes, there is actually a size difference... it's small but its significant enough to me to cast on #2.

I also finished the Ballband dishcloth!  (go me!)

Pattern: Ballband Dishcloth
Needles: US7
Yarn: Some of the Lily Sugar and Cream stash of indeterminate age
Notes: YAY!  I have met one of my yearly goals- this is dishcloth #3!  (We'll get to that at some point on this blog and check in.... today is not the day.)  I love this pattern- highly recommend.

I've also worked on (truthfully I just mostly look at this on the couch and feel badly it's not seeing progress) a bit of the Monster blanket.  I had  a moment of panic the other day that this isn't going to get done in time.  If it doesn't I might have to gift the bunny blanket - which I'd be okay with in this case.  On the upside I'm feeling less "wary" of the colorway now though and still comfortable gifting it to a little boy.  Just need to make PROGRESS now.

So there's where I'm at this week.  Hopefully I can capitalize on the rest of this June and get some progress out the door.