In The Pink

                                                   

        Waiting for Ms. Muggles and the Pink Princess

Le Pink Birdhouse

                                    

   Pink Rhododendron blooms along the front walkway

Back On Route 66

 

At long last, the first Route 66 sock is finished. This project keeps being put on the back burner - not because the pattern is overly difficult but because, having to follow a chart for the entire sock, and carry different color yarns in both hands, it takes more time to make any noticeable progress. The temptation is always there to simply pick up a more mindless knit and finish it in short order. (We do, after all, live in an age of instant gratification.)

Needless to say, since I want very much to be an accomplished Fair Isle or stranded knitter, it makes more sense to persevere -  the more time spent doing it, the sooner real speed is acquired, and a higher skill level as well.

Pattern: Route 66

Source: Around The World In Knitted Socks by Stephanie van der Linden

Needles: Circular - 2.25 mm for ribbing and 2.50 mm for remainder of sock

Yarns: Jawoll (navy) and Lana Grossa Meilenweit (taupe)

The Old And The New

This sock is one of what is pretty much my favourite pair since I began sock knitting. I made them four years ago and I have worn them a lot.

It has taken four years for the heels to give way to holes. It is now time to learn how to darn!

But just in case the darning doesn't go well...

 I have had two extra balls of Regia in the yarn drawer for the last four years. Happiness is having a back up pair of your favourites!

Pattern: K7 P1 ribbing

Yarn: Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett

Colour: Landscape Caribbean

Needles: Circular - 2.25 mm

Also New:

After fifteen years on the property, we suddenly started to have significant pooling of water on the back walkway outside the door to the basement. The old walkway, a DIY project, had settled and was sloping toward the door. That, combined with being on a hillside, and having significant deluges this past autumn (100 mm. of rain; 130 mm of rain...!) necessitated a call for professional help.

Earthcraft, a marvelous landscape company, installed a permeable paver system with a base and subbase. Even huge amounts of water can now be absorbed with ease.

The back walkway and surrounding landscaping has now been completed. The deck is still not finished. The lower latticed section still needs a door and there is a gate for the top of the stairs - but hopefully, it will be just a matter of days...

 New Lawn and Plant Bed

The New Walkway