New materials

My mom had to go to Germany for some family things, and brought me back this wonderful yarn in great colors as a present. Not sure what it's destiny is yet, maybe a sweater, maybe a hat... Wolle Roedel, superwash merino, 100% wool.

Cactus #2 and #3

Two more cactuses are blooming! Only one is holding out. Maybe next year...

BOT - The Orchid Thief

By Susan Orlean, read by Jennifer Myers. Lots of fascinating history of England and Florida, with insight into the world of passionate orchid collectors, past and present.

Stripezag sweater

Combined some stripes, zig zags, and colors I liked into this sweater. I made it a little oversized already, and when I washed it, it really stretched out. So, I felted it slightly, and I think it will work out okay. Haven't tried it on yet, as it's still drying. Felting a sweater by hand is hard work - but very fun too. Yarn: Cascade 220, 100% wool.

BOT - I Capture the Castle

I go through a lot of books-on-tape (BOT) while knitting. I'm going to (only) post the ones I liked, in case anyone is looking for recommendations.

I Capture the Castle is written by Dodie Smith and read by Emilia Fox. It's in the form of journals written by 17-year old Cassandra Mortmain who lives with her eccentric family in "not-so-genteel poverty in the crumbling ruin of an old English casle, " as the back of the case tells us. Great to listen to, very funny.

Stripey sleeve

Here is a sleeve from a sweater-in-progress. The sweater will be a mixture of purple and red stripes and zig zags on a blue background. When that's done, I have some rasberry colored Koigu sock yarn that is destined to become a scarf. I also want to try making some hats while it's still cold enough to wear them.

Mascot

This is Presto, my parent's pup snoozing in the sun. He showed up on their porch about 10 years ago and ended up staying.