Is it Fall Already?

     Maybe not quite yet.
     Just got back yesterday from a week at the beach. We were staying on the shores of Lake Michigan where the weather (except for a few cloudy hours) was perfect, the water was a beautiful clear turquoise, and the view from our cottage looked like it had been lifted right out of a travel magazine.
     So now we're back in central Illinois, where it's a bit warmer (but not bad for this time of year) and the lawn is overgrown. The laundry bin is overflowing and the living room floor is covered with half-unpacked suitcases. Waiting for us in the mail were a bunch of back-to-school catalogs and reminders about school registration. It's not even August and already I'm feeling the call to go buy a new lunchbox and backpack for the soon-to-be second grader.

     But on the more enjoyable (though even less seasonal) side of things, the Fall/Winter Knitscene preview is available now. I caught an early glimpse of the actual magazine at the LYS just before we left town but now there are pictures to share!
     I posted briefly about the yarn I used for this project back in December, when it was about 20ºF and I was gianormously pregnant. The yarn turned into the Pale Skies Cowl. It is now 80ºF and I'm trying to type this with a squirmy 6-month-old on my lap. Where does the time go?
     It's hard to imagine wearing the cowl at the moment--trust me, this thing is warm--but all too soon it will be time to start thinking about knitting cozy things again. But in the meantime, there are some cotton and hemp yarns still calling to me and it's a beautiful day to find a shady spot and just sit there and knit.
     But first I have to tackle those suitcases.

On Vacation

     I'll be away from home (and the computer--yay!) from July 16 to July 25. If you have questions about any of the patterns listed here, feel free to e-mail/post but please understand that I won't be able to respond until I get back.
     Thanks, and happy knitting/crocheting!

Happy Tanabata!

     I suddenly realized this morning that today is Tanabata, the Japanese Star Festival. It's not a huge holiday in Japan, but it's probably the one I have the fondest memories of. It was part of summer vacation, and there was always a festival, big or small, wherever I was. I associate it with lanterns, yukatas, traveling around, meeting up with friends, and generally having a wonderful time. This morning it was perfect Tanabata weather, warm and sunny with a beautiful clear, blue sky. I found myself getting nostalgic (even a bit sad) for the Japan days.
     So I stuffed Chubby-Chan into her yukata onesie and took a few photos. Unfortunately, this one's a bit blurry but it it was the one with the most Tanabata spirit (I mean, how could this not put you in a sunnier, summery mood?).