Maybe not always new

When it comes to yarn, I love to have new things and to see colors change. It keeps the options alive for me. However, sometimes we're sad to see something go. Such was the case with Zitron's Lifestyle Color, a self-striping superwash merino in great colors.

The good news is, it's back, this time as Ambiente. This is the same high quality yarn, offered in the same five color combinations! It is 100% Merino Wool Superwash wool, with 170 yards per 50 gram ball. It works up on US 3-5 needles, yielding 5.75-6.5 stitches per inch.


Denise Interchangeable is offering change too, with an interchangeable crochet kit. This will be awesome for Tunisian crochet/cro-hook work. The kits include 12 individual hooks, sizes F5 (3.75mm) to 19 (15mm) and 7 cord lengths, 2 each 3" and 5", plus 1 each 9", 12" and 16". What's not to like about this!

Babies and Flowers

Not as much knitting as I'd like the last couple weeks. I took a few days after NWNM in Seattle and went to Bellingham to visit family, which includes 15 month old grandson Ian (not pictured). I was surprised to endure record heat in the Northwest, especially after 60 degrees and rain last year.

Back home and settled in waiting for Baby Boy Messiter to be born mid-August. Zane Carlos made an early appearance on August 3 at 7 lbs 10 oz and 21.5 inches--clearly ready to join us. Proud parents and grandparents!

I'm a bit distracted by my garden too. Not only is it absolutely beautiful right now, but there's lots to harvest too. This week's focus has been on herbs, gathering them in the cool morning and setting to dry.

The colors inspire me. I want to knit yellow, pinks and corals!

Creative Monkeys

I must admit that the creative monkeys have been quite busy since I got back from NWNM in Tukwila, WA. I came back from TNNA in Columbus, OH exhausted and it took me more than a week to get back on track, and my subsequent vacation from teaching seemed ever-so-short and I just worked more in my office. After TNNA I was anxious to get going on new projects, but was working on tying up loose ends from new patterns, grading final portfolios, and doing a little side project for cash. And my spouse has had a crazy transaction going on which is causing him to have restless nights--and me too, so I'm sleep deprived with dark circles under my eyes as evidence. So I went to NWNM somewhat under-enthused; I'm always happy to see Susan because she and I always have a good time, and I was looking forward to seeing my niece Rose and having our mother Jane along (a girls slumber party at Embassy Suites), but I wasn't enthused. Oh, also looking forward to the excellent Thai food near the hotel. I actually only took along my Sea Shell sleeve and one swatch; I just wasn't feeling the whole thing.

Saturday was kind of slow, which it always is, although it provided an opportunity to catch up with Maureen and Christopher who stopped by while killing time before going to the airport and then to get to know Celia who is deadly funny and has great magnets. I ripped my sleeve back three times. I did have my eye on a hank of Serendipitous Ewe Sport, but I'd told myself that I couldn't take it unless it was unsold at the end of the show. We had turned over our fashion show garments to Brian when he came around at 4 p.m. so next was a free drink and popcorn before the fashion show. I was slated to be one of the judges for the "amateur" contest so I slid into silvery pants and my red Must Have Lace Top.

Anyway, I think what got my juices (i.e., the Monkeys) going was seeing eight (seven recent) designs go down the runway. They were interspersed with other things, but I never get to see that many of my things on people. The models were real people which made it even better. What they may have lacked in fancy walks showed how great my designs look on real people. It was very satisfying. The best one was Vikki in Winter Ball Cami. She totally rocked that top. She is, well, probably older than me and she looked totally hot. I hope she knew it--she sure looked like she did. Everyone looked great, but that really struck me.

I came back ready to go on new projects. Today the problem is how do I winnow them?