I'm back from Nantucket. The total gut renovation of our house is progressing. I brought back a house guest who stayed a week with me in Maryland. She headed back to Nantucket yesterday. I haven't knit a stitch in over 2 weeks. I knit some on Marina before I left for the Island.

I've decided to knit AS's Beadwork. There is a new Beadwork KAL starting soon. I'm using Lisa Souza's Petal - Hand dyed 50/50 Silk and Wool yarn. Today Lisa is dying a special batch of Petal for me in a soft sage green color. Tomorrow, if dry, Lisa will send it via Priority Mail so I should be able to start swatching by week's end.

Beadwork was published in "A Collector's Item" 1999 by Jade Starmore. The book is still available from VY's but only contains a child's version. The adult pattern was published in the Fall/Winter '99/'00 edition of Interweave Knits. VY's also has the adult version available as a kit. The yarn pack (Scottish Fleet) includes a technical amendment for use in conjunction with the instructions in the book. It is size-specific and free with yarn purchase. No comment.

Tomorrow I plan to go to a meeting of the Blue Ridge Spinners and Weavers Guild. It's been some time since I've been so I am looking forward to it. This is a group of very talented members made up of knitters, spinners, weavers, and animal fiber breeders. I purchased a loom at last years Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival that I'm bringing to the meeting tomorrow to have it looked over.

One day last week we went to DC so I thought I would share some pictures I took of and from the Washington Monument. Visibility was 60 miles this day. The pictures were taken through the observation glass. Click each picture to enlarge. I've lived here my entire life and I am still amazed at this city.Looking West. (Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool)Looking South. (Jefferson Memorial, Tital Basin, and Potomac River)Looking East. (Capitol Building and Mall)Looking North. (White House)

She's Left the Starting Gate...

The Marina KAL doesn't officially begin until September 20th but I decided to cast-on early since I will be leaving next Monday for Nantucket. After a week on the Island I will be bringing back a houseguest who will be staying with me in Maryland for a week.It took me a while to figure out gauge, sizing, etc. I may have an issue with my row gauge but I'm not going to worry about that until I get to the armholes.

This really is a nice pattern to knit. The repeats are easy to remember. I never could remember the repeats on the Northwest Sunset Vest. I was forever looking at the charts to figure out where I was.

I've become attached to my cookie sheet. I put a magnetic strip on the bottom of a ruler so I can keep track of where I am on the pattern. The cookie sheet has a large surface and the handles make it easy to transport the project. I can put pencils and other notions on the cookie sheet and they don't fall off due to the raised edges. I also put magnetic strips on the bottom of containers to put things in like the stitch markers in the photo. This container has a clear window so I can easily see what's inside. You can purchase containers with magnetic bottoms at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

I couldn't believe the temps this morning. On my way to the back door to let the dogs out I looked at the thermometer and it said 66 degrees. I had to rub my eyes in disbelief. They say we are going to have a beautiful weekend.