and new shoes!

The socks are simple, top down, 60 st plain janes.

I started these socks over a year and a half ago. About 6 months ago I was down to one toe and I just let them sit.

Fancy knitting and a sweet baby pulled me away from the simple stockinette.

My friend Beth helped with the photo shoot (thanks Beth). Delilah didn’t want to be left out.

My notion this Wednesday is my sock holder.

I love my sock holder. My socks in progress tend to get stuffed in my bag with whatever else is in there, so giving them some protection is useful.

There was a slight problem with the room we booked, so the hotel gave us an upgrade. We had a nice sitting area…

And a great view of the ocean!

We walked down the boardwalk…

and played on the beach.

Solomon and Delilah weren’t very excited about the ocean, but I couldn’t get enough of it!

We spent one day exploring.

In South Beach we found Espanola Way, which  is also called “Little Spain”. There were outdoor restaurants, street vendors and huge flamingos.

South Beach is known for having the largest number of art deco buildings. They were very beautiful.

We spent some time at the park. The weather was amazing.

It was all nice and wonderful until a HUGE palm branch fell just feet from where we were sitting. I’m used to leaves falling, but this thing could have caused a bruise.

The last full day of our trip was spent laying on the beach and playing in the pool. It was by far the best day.

I received this stitch marker as part of a set. Over the last three years, the other 3 stitch markers have been lost in the  shuffle. Because it is the last of it’s kind, I keep special tabs on its whereabouts.

Way back in 2005 I went to see the Yarn Harlot talk in Kalamazoo; I was lucky to sit next to and stand in line with Erin and Carma. We had a great time, the presentation was hilarous and standing in line felt  like hanging out at a coffee shop with friends knitting.  Erin gave me these stitch markers, which she made; I’ve been reading her blog ever since.

It’s a fascinating toy that must be sorted!

And oh ya, I’ve been knitting.

This is my February Lady Sweater, which was started in February, but will hopefully be done in March. I’ve finished the raglan shaping and the button holes; both techniques made me feel like a fancy knitter. Now I’m working on the body; the lace pattern is easy to remember and seems to be going quickly.

She loves her markers.

Delilah will walk in and say “bye” as she closes the door.

Then she comes out and says “Hi”.

Then she makes Henry come in to the entry way.

Then she makes him leave.

Then leaves as well.

Then she goes back in the entry way.

Then out.

Then she puts Henry in as she leaves.

Then she repeats all of these actions in a random order over and over again. It is actually a lot of fun.

Yesterday I bought yarn for the February Lady Sweater. I’m using o-wool balance, in a dusty rose color; it’s an organic wool/cotton blend. The cotton content makes my fingers feel dry when I’m knitting, but I think it is going to be really nice for this sweater.

I swatched with three different size needles:

I got gauge with the sevens. So far I have three inches done and I”m happy with how it is looking. The garter stitch is perfectly simple.