Sockotta Mock Cable Socks - progress

All things considered, I'm making lots of progress on this pair of socks! The first was completed yesterday, and of course, I had to start the second just as soon as I had darned in the yarn ends. This pattern is really going quite fast, partially due to the fact that it has fewer stitches in the round and I'm working on size 2 needles, instead of the size 1 that I've been using for the past few, but the sock fits great! In case you missed the earlier post, the pattern can be found here, and is being made with the Sockotta yarn that I was able to find at a local shop.

Janet's Influence

was accepted into the Pacific Northwest Quiltfest that is put on by the Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters (APQ)!!! It is the first time for me, so very exciting!

Checkerboard Stars Finished!

I've been stitchine and writing as fast as I can, and the Checkerboard Stars quilt is now finished, as well as the pattern. You'll be able to find it later today at Gathering Fabric, simply because the shop is less than 2 miles from my home, and then other interested shops will be receiving it as soon as possible.

Checkerboard Stars

I'm coming down the home stretch with only the label and sleeve to go on the quilt back, and then I can take a photo of the finished quilt!

Sockotta Mock Cable Socks

Even though we have so many things going on, there are still those moments that would be wasted while waiting for something or someone, so I've already cast on the first of another pair of socks. I'm using Plymouth Sockotta yarn for this pair, and since the yarn doesn't have much stretch, I searched the web and found a pattern for Lacy Mock Rib Socks that were designed for the Sockotta yarn, and even though I've just started, I'm amazed how stretchy the pattern is coming out so far. It is also an easy pattern to follow, cable look without having to use cable needles, and because the needles are larger than I've been using, it's fast and fun to work on, and I feel like I'm getting more done in those little bits of time.

Busy, Busy

Although I've been trying my best to post more frequently, and I've also been trying to only post creative work, instead of family, this post is an infrequent exception. We're going to be having a lot of house guests, starting next Saturday.

The first arrivals will be my husband's brother (the one closer to his age) and his family of five, coming from England. They will be here for two weeks to visit and see the area. My sister-in-law hasn't been to visit us before - not ever, so there will be lots to see, do and chat about. We have been able to visit a few times, but far apart, and I'm really looking forward to seeing them again, and meeting their youngest, since he was born after my last visit. (My husband and two of our boys were able to go a couple years ago, so they met him at that time.)

The second wave will be my husband's oldest brother, and his family, also of five (although I hear their daughter may be coming later). This family is moving to our area, and will be staying with us for a while (until their other accomodations are ready).

Usually, I'm able to keep my projects laying around my studio, but with all the visitors coming, and the second family is coming with two cats, I'm busy trying to get everything put away that I think the cat might love to mess with, finish Checkerboard Stars for the quilt shop, and some others that need some finishing before they can be put away (like that wool I had to finish spinning, because I had already pre-drafted it into a wonderful puddle of fiber ready for spinning, and was afraid to move and make a mess of it).

Now I have nothing against cats, love to visit with them when I'm out, but I've never had a cat in my house, not to mention staying at our house, so this is probably going to take some adjusting to. If you have any suggestions for cat-proofing, I'd love to hear them, just leave me a comment. I've only done baby-proofing in the past. I'll return the favor, and sit and look at your blog as soon as everyone has left and I have a chance to sip tea and read blogs.

Sooooooo, if I add our family of five, it looks like there will be 10-15 people in our house for a while, plus two cats when they arrive with their family, I know it will be totally crazy busy here, and between getting ready for them to come, and hosting everyone, busy will be an understatement. I'm afraid my Sun Challenge project for an online group may not get done until after they leave, but I still have hope to get a couple small ones finished and mailed out, but only time will tell, and the clock is ticking.....

Blue Spun Wool

Here's the product of a couple full days worth of spinning (although most was done in small bits of time between other projects), with about half of the second bobbin being spun today, going as fast as I could. The fiber is a multi-merino / silk top in a blue colorway from Kendig Cottage. It looked more blue before it was spun, and since it is only the second time I've spun a multicolored fiber, I had no idea how it would look once it was spun. It still needs to be plied (will be a 2-ply yarn, since I only have these two bobbins), but for now the bobbins will be put back in the bag the fiber came in (this way it will be labeled) and set aside for plying later.