A DAY ON THE OREGON COAST

On Sept 25 hubby and I spent the day at the coast. There is so much to see and do on the Oregon coast. I love walking the waterfronts of the tiny towns that dot the coast. The best part is depending on which town you can buy fresh seafood right off the boat. you get the best prices buying off the boats from the fishermen and know that the fish and crabs are fresh.

The above video was taken in Charleston. The seal was waiting for the fisherman to feed him some tuna scraps. He was great fun to watch. The seals have no problem getting right up to the edge of the slip and snorting on you. Below you sill see pictures of the rest of our day. We had a nice time just being together and enjoy the beauty of the coast.

KNITTING PROJECTS COMPLETED!!!!

I have been knitting alot lately. Ok no more than normal, it just seems like it since I have so many projects going at once. I have managed to finish a couple things and wanted to share them.

First up the last KAL from the Knook, it is a great dishcloth that is covered in butterflies. Very pretty. The color is way off in the picture, I used a nice Burgundy cotton.

The next is a baby hat and sweater. Hubby came home on Wednesday and told me that we were in invited to a baby shower for a friends' daughter on Saturday. Oops, better get knitting, oh wait heading to the coast on Saturday, but still better get knitting. Thursday I cast on for the sweater, finished the body, then Friday finished off the sleeves. Woohoo mostly done, just make the hat, 2 hours on Sunday and sew on the buttons....gift delivered to Grandma today. Not bad, pretty proud of the timeline.

I used Bernat Baby Jacquard in I am a Big Boy colorway.

The pattern is from www.knittingonthenet.com entitled Top Down Raglan Baby Sweater Designed by Carole Barenys. Very easy to make, the only problem was the pattern doesn't state how long to make the sleeves, so I had to search for the typical length. Other than that great pattern. I have saved it for future use.

SHETLAND PI SHAWL

I am working on the Shetland Pi Shawl from Wendy Johnson. She was so kind to design this pattern and offer it as a KAL.

I wavered on if I was going to knit it or not and then had several friends jump in so I followed. I am so glad I did. I am loving this pattern and enjoying the process of knitting this shawl.

Pictured is parts 1-3. I just finished the last of part 3 this afternoon. I thought now would be a great time to take a progress picture. I really like how the yarn is striping up as well as the colors.

The picture doesn't show the colors well but trust me it is beautiful. A wonderful selection of pinks, pale, medium and bright, then a nice cream and then a color i am not sure what it is. In one light it looks black and gray in another light it looks like browns and then in the sun it looks like purple. Either way it looks great.

Project info:

Pattern available at http://wendyknits.net/

yarn Mary Maxim Mohair Glitter

needles size 6 24" circular, now on a 48" circular

Baby Set

I have a dear friend who is expecting her first great grandbaby. I had to knit something special for this special bundle of joy on her way. I looked and looked all over the web until I found the perfect little sweater to knit. Then I found a pair of knit pants and incorporated the cable pattern into the legs. Then I had to make booties, you can't have a sweater and pants without booties. Then of course you have to have a hat because winter is coming so I designed a hat to match the sweater and pants. Oh and I also knit a matching hat for the mom.

I put a lot of love and thought into this little set. I am really pleased with it and know that it is going to wonderful little bundle of joy. It should be in the mail this weekend, woohoo.

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Baby in sweeetpea and white

Patterns: Sweater Lion Brand Heirloom Cables Baby Sweater

Pants Lion Brand Cabled Baby Set

Booties Knitting on The Net, Two Needle Cable Baby Booties Knitting Pattern

FAIR RESULTS 2010

I entered 5 items in the fair this year.

Over all I did fairly well. I received 4 ribbons and a donor award.

Scott's zip front cardigan- First place

Swirl shawl - Second place

Crocheted shopping bag - Third place

Chicken (aka-Ms. Thing)- Third place and Donor award

Sipalu bag- did not place.

The only one I am really disappointed in and still trying to figure out is the Sipalu bag. After seeing the items it was up against I just don't understand the ruling but will accept it as being so. I do wish that our fair would do as others and allow us to be present for the judging and maybe even give you a critique sheet. It hink that the feed back would be wonderful.

I will just have to try harder next year. Actually Scott and I have talked about it and we think that one of us will be entering some of our photographs and maybe some baked good. Yep, hubby is thinking of entering his mouth watering, melt in your mouth chocolate chip cookies.

SWIRL SHAWL COMPLETED

I have completed the Swirl Shawl from Jojoland.

The pattern can be found at http://www.jojoland.com/.

I had started this for the Knit Olympics and fell short of finishing it by the closing ceremonies. Then hubby suggested that I finish it for the fair. I pulled her out last week or so and started working on her. I cast off the last swirl and wove in my last end last night. Today I washed and blocked it and have to say that I am very pleased with how she turned out.

The pattern say it should be 68" x 20". Well mine came out 65" x 21". I wish I had taken a before blocking picture, you would not believe the difference in the size. The swirls pop much better blocked. Wish her luck she will be headed to the fair in a couple weeks.

Ms. Thing

I just made a chicken!!!! Ok, so I knit her up.

This is an Alan Dart pattern, I used odd and ends for the yarn.

She was a lot of fun to make. She will be going to my Mom after she makes her appearance at our county fair.