*FO's to show (*finished objects)

Debbie was proud to show us her finished self-striping scarf. She said it's as tall as she is but it will be a long time before she is ready to knit another scarf. Something so time consuming just takes the wind out of your sails. I think she's smart to begin a smaller project next.

 Liz started a seed stitch cowl with a 100% wool yarn so it will be nice and warm.

 I finished my Baltic Summer scarf. I had intended to knit all the way to the end of the ball of yarn but I found a mistake which threw off the chevron pattern something awful. So after 3 attempts to fix it which required tinking back many, many stitches, I decided the knitting goddesses were sending me a message to bind off already! So I did. It needs a thorough blocking which will make it a bit longer but it's done!

 Maureen finished her Squarshy hat and immediately...

cast on stitches to make another one. 

And Margaret finished her Squarshy hat and ...

did the same thing. I think these ladies like this pattern!

 I wish all of you a safe July 4th celebration and will meet you back here next week.

I'm back!

Sorry for the long absence! I had back trouble which not only prevented me from meeting with my Chicks, it also prevented me from knitting! About the only thing I could do for a few weeks was switch from an ice pack to a heat pack! I'm glad that's over. As long as I remember to take it easy, it seems I'm on the upswing again. 

So after a long absence the afternoon ladies met on the deck today. Debbie gave a thumbs up because she is back to knitting too since her issues with her thumb have been resolved.

 She tried to catch up on her scarf but was slowed down by some yarn barf which had to be untangled.

 Elaine picked up on a new hat and...

 Liz decided to do her own thing and make a baby blanket.

 Barbara's Country Rows scarf is growing and showing off her colors nicely.

 Elaine added a hat to our inventory.

 And Liz added a cowl. The seed stitch gives it a nice texture and a bit extra thermal protection against the cold.

 Margaret had to frog the first try on her 1898 hat but she finished the first part tonight and will be grafting the ends to enclose the ear band. Then on to step 2 and picking up stitches for the crown of the hat.

 This is what Carole worked on tonight. She used a crochet hook to snatch the stitch and work it through so she could put it on the needle. We all love this 1898 hat pattern. Once you get the hang of it, it just flies off the needles.

 Maureen's Squarshy hat is practically finished. A few more rows and she'll be at the decreasing portion and it's a race to the finish after that.

 Since I haven't been able to knit for a few weeks I'm still working on Baltic Summer. The yarn makes it interesting so I don't mind that it's taking me so long to finish.

 And yes, the grandkitty is still visiting. It's been so long that she thinks she lives here now.

Confidentially, so do I! But don't tell her Daddy that. ;) 

It feels good to be back working with my Chicks again and listening to the clicking of those knitting needles. Have a great week and keep yourself in stitches!

We are good at knitting hats

We Chicks are knitting up a storm with these hats! Elaine finished her beautifully cabled hat for which she used Plymouth Encore yarn. It's a really nice blend of acrylic and wool, making it machine washable.

 Barbara's hat is made with Noro Silk Garden and up until today she was sure it was a hat. But as she knitted it we all agreed it could be a nice cowl and then she could use up every inch of yarn.

 Elaine immediately cast on for a 2X2 ribbed hat. It's that favorite of ours, the Soldiers' Hat.

 Liz continued to add inches to her scarf with the lovely forest green wool.

 I pulled out a project, Baltic Summer, that was sitting in time out for a while. It's not a difficult pattern. I just can't get a smooth rhythm going because every 3 stitches I either have to ssk or Kbfb which interrupts my flow of knitting. Thank goodness there is a straight row of knit stitches on the wrong side. It's a pretty pattern though and I do love Martina Behm patterns. And isn't this yarn just perfect for it?!

 Dorah's Squarshy hat is almost finished. She was astonished that it knitted up so quickly. And don't you just love the twisted 1X1 ribbing? It makes such a nice defined border.

 Maureen is making the same hat, just not as far along as Dorah's.

 Margaret is pretty close to finishing the earflaps of her hat. The grafting of edges will come in a few more rows.

 And that's where Carole is now on her hat. Then the picking up of 84 stitches will be a snap because she slipped all edge stitches, leaving an obvious space out of which the stitch will come.

Joules is still visiting and last Saturday she and I watched the Royal Wedding together. 

It was a thoroughly thrilling event and she couldn't take her eyes off the bride. ;)

Right now she is trying to type a few words on the keyboard so I think she's trying to tell me she wants a treat.

Have a good week and keep those needles clicking!