We have had rain nearly every day for well over a month. It's getting rather depressing. I've stopped looking at the weather because I don't want to know that it's going to rain for another 2 days or 5 days. This is the patio. Notice we have no patio furniture out, no toys to play with. I will say the grass and trees are bright green and while the garden is green it's hardly growing due to the lack of sunlight. We are still sleeping with blankets on our beds at night. This is crazy weather. We'll have to call it the summer that wasn't.

I have been knitting though even if I can't do it in my favorite summer knitting spot, the porch. I long to knit on the porch. These are plain old socks I cast on with Patons Stetch sock yarn on clearance at Michael's . The color is called sugar. The pattern is the one I keep in my head. I didn't mind knitting with the yarn though I do find stretchy yarn to be a little annoying. The first sock seemed to take forever to knit but once I got to the second one, it was smooth sailing to the end. I have to admit I do love the color. There is something about pink and gray that I just love. I'm sure with the way the weather has been I'll have ample opportunity to wear these socks soon.

After completing the socks I wanted to knit something else, something visible, something with sleeves so I cast on Hey Teach . I've been wanting to knit a summer sweater and with the summer we're having a sweater is often necessary. The yarn is Lion Brand Cotton Ease that's been sitting in my stash waiting for just the right project. So far it's working out just fine. This photo, taken on the porch in "natural light" doesn't catch the color of the yarn at all. 

Use of the flash gives you an idea of how dark the day is and how bright the yarn is.

 One good thing about all the rain and having to stay inside, is we've been spending time at the library. N has been working on his reading. He set a goal this summer to read 90 books and is well on his way having completed 20. His favorite series is Henry and Mudge . H loved these too.

Look a craft that isn't knitting. I have been wanting to sew myself a sock project bag for a while and finally have. I used this tutorial which was excellent. Sewing does not come easy to me. I would have failed junior high Home Ec. had it not been for my ability to cook. I'm quite pleased with how my little bag turned out. Next time I think I'll go with a sturdier fabric so the bag will stand on it's own. This bag is standing with the help of a square tissue box. 

Look at that, here I am again for the third time this week. I think the key to regular posting is to have things to post about. Yup, that's the key.

Here I am back again for the second time this week. Who would believe that. I think it helps that I have something else to show you. I finished the Marlene socks, another fabulous pattern by Cookie A. These are knit in Lanett superwash on size 2 needles. This pattern was so much fun to knit. It had everything I love about a great sock pattern: attractive design and a pattern that makes sense and is easy to remember. I highly recommend this pattern.

On Monday my father had two more doctor's appointments that were spaced apart by a couple of hours. I took the opportunity to run a few blocks to Windsor Button to see what I could find. Since I have recently completed a couple of pairs of socks and the sock yarn stash is getting a little shallow I picked up enough for 3 pairs. First we have 2 skeins of Happy Feet in color number 5. I have a plan for this yarn and intend to cast on soon. The other 2 skeins are On Your Toes, a yarn I'd never seen before. It is 75% bamboo and 25% nylon. I thought it would be great for some summer socks. The colors are dark sage and iris print. I don't really have a plan for these but couldn't pass them up when I saw them.

The other day I cast on a new pair of socks in some stash yarn. I'm using my usual nonpattern for these and I'll post a photo once they get a bit bigger and I'm sure they'll stick. 

It has been ages. Sorry. I really am still alive. We've been busy with all the regular stuff plus an additional hospitalization for my father and a nasty virus and sinus infection for Nate and I. Through it all there has been knitting though.

I completed the Kai-Mei socks and they are wonderful. The pattern is by Cookie A and it is pleasure to knit. I used some Lancaster County super wash sock yarn  that I bought on vacation last year. I would knit these socks again and plan to buy more of this yarn when I get to Labadie Looms again.

I have another pair of socks 99% done but I'll save those for another post. Also I plan to cast on something new. That is always exciting.

I hope to get back in the habit of blogging. I've missed you all so much.

I finally found a few minutes to take a walk around my backyard and take a few photos. It was a lovely day for it too. We are at mid spring according to the flowers. There are spent tulips and lilacs, and lots of things waiting to bloom. At this point only the wisteria is in full bloom. The smell is just heavenly. It seemed like the perfect place to take some photos of the latest knits in progress.

First up we have Kai-Mei (ravelry link). The pattern is in the book Sock Innovation by Cookie A. The yarn is Lancaster County Yarn & Wool's superwash sock that I bought on vacation last year. So far this sock has been a complete pleasure to knit. The yarn is soft and squishy. The color is marled black, white and gray. The pattern is well written with just enough to keep a knitter on their toes but not so much as to require total silence. The design down the foot is both beautiful and fun to knit.

 Here is a close up view of the design. When I first looked at the pattern I thought this would be totally impossible to knit but it isn't. It requires just a little extra attention and the result is lovely. I love it and can't wait to wear these socks.

Remember I said I was going to step outside my comfort zone and cast on something that wouldn't normally be, well, me. This is Marlene (ravelry link). The pattern by Cookie A. (It would seem it's all Cookie A all the time here.) The yarn is Lanett superwash in orange. This is another fabulous pattern. It's a lot of fun to knit and works up quickly, or maybe it just seems that way because once you start knitting you can't put it down. It's a one more row pattern. This yarn works great with this pattern. Both have some stretch to them and in this color it's very easy to see the stitches. I'm looking forward to wearing these socks. They'll be a little something unexpected when they peek out the bottom of my pant legs above my shoes.