One Ball of Sock Yarn

Dear Mom,

I needed a gift for a baby boy and what better than Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket. I love the brilliance of this pattern.  Garter stitches and strategically placed increases result in something that looks like a misshapen dish rag until you do some knitterly origami- just a simple fold, really- and TAH DAAA! A sweater. One seam across the top of each shoulder and sleeve. Self striping sock yarn (I used Berroco Sox) did all the color work and I could concentrate on knitting and counting stitches.

 The normally camera shy Olive decided to check out the area during the photo shoot this morning.

 I guess the camera is only scary when it is pointing at her face.

I found matching buttons in my button jar.

 I was happy to have plenty of yarn leftover to make this cute, cute hat. The pattern for the hat is Charlie's Sock Yarn hat. I made the newborn size. And even after making the three little pompoms, I still had yarn left over.

Love.
Kim

August

Dear Mom,

August.

We moved Young Man home for two weeks.

He went to California...

...and we spent 3 lovely days in St Joseph, MI, which despite claiming to be a dog friendly city, does NOT allow dogs on the beach.

Still, we had a very nice time.
I watched this lady lose herself in building a sand castle. I could tell this was therapeutic for her. Watching her build it was therapy. She gathered rocks and sea weed and shells and incorporated them into her structure. I asked her what she did for a living, figuring it was either engineering or artsy. She is a photographer.

We had the usual round of back-to-school physicals and immunizations.
The Young Lady had her Senior pictures taken.
Yes. I said Senior.

She had her last "first day of school" photo taken. And we had our last Meet the Teacher Night. (We were not sad.)

We moved the Young Man back to school, into an apartment, for his senior year. Yes. Again. I said senior.

I predict being swamped by graduations in the spring.

I wove a scarf.

And finished a sweater. This is Rene and the yarn is Malabrigo Rios.

 Olive took a sunbath on the patio. Her elbows are completely healed and we've rejoiced in long walks together. 

There were some raucous good times on our back porch. No photos were taken (to protect the innocent and guilty). Let's just say Sangria.

While I do not like setting the alarm, I am glad to be back into a routine. I've been getting the housework back on schedule, and after taking August off, my knitting classes have resumed.

And on to Autumn- my favorite season!

Love,
Kim