Thursday, April 14, 2016

Springtime Frolicking?

Well, it has been more like wintertime frolicking. Frolicking being what you need to do to stay warm lately. These two bunnies are doing the only springtime frolicking around here.
Spring Frolic at Bunny Hill
With thy Needle & Thread

I think these bunnies are a lot cuter than the ones I see in my yard. Going back to my son's fear of spiders - I've been known to act just as silly over rodents. And for me, rabbits are just big ole constantly chewing rodents. Before we move on to knitting, I want to assure you that I am not crossing over to the other side (knitting) completely. In fact, I have been quite active in adding to my stitching acquisitions recently. : )

One knitting finish to share
Stockinette Stitch Shawlette
Purl Avenue

Not the most exciting knitting but I found it to be very relaxing. Tassels were optional, but I'm not a tassel kind of person.

I'm currently working on a couple of other things.
Churchmouse Classics Basic Socks

This pattern was recommended to me by Mary as a good first sock to knit. And she was right. I always let the heel put me off of even trying to knit socks but found it to be a lot easier than I thought. And I'm just as excited about my heel as I was about thumbs. I will definitely be using this pattern again. Maybe not on size 1 needles, though. : ) The good thing about them is they make beautiful, tiny stitches, but the bad thing about them is they make beautiful, tiny stitches which make me feel like I'm knitting and knitting and not getting anywhere.

I've also been working on 
Linen Chevron Cowl
Purl Avenue

Right now it just looks like a wrinkled mess. I'm using the suggested yarn, Shibui Linen - I'm not really loving it but getting more used to it. I've been listening to the Serial podcast season 1 while working on this which has been helpful in ignoring the yarn. I want to finish this so I can start this
Rosewater by
Janina Kallio

I may be in love with the color of this yarn - Composition Book Grey. Not at all well represented in this picture.

On the reading front, I'm glad I stuck with 11/22/63. The ending was one I can live with. And I didn't realize it was a mini-series until a couple of you pointed it out. I'm content having read the book and probably won't watch it, though. Currently, I'm reading the second book in the Louise Penny Inspector Gamache series. Interesting to find out that the first two books have been made into movies. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Barron. Thank you, Vickie, for recommending these.  I'm so behind in my reading - not sure why and not happy that Goodreads points out just how many books behind schedule I am. I think that I might not set a reading challenge goal next year. I want to enjoy my reading even if it is at a leisurely pace. : )

I've been having some issues lately - (1) medical...the kind that makes you put on your special going to the doctor/hospital undergarments...and (2) computer...the kind that makes you want to pull your hair out, so I'm a little behind on my blog reading. Hopefully, I can catch up in the next couple of days. I appreciate those of you who follow along with my little blog! Hope your days include some fun and some springtime warmth! 

16 comments:

Vickie said...

Ahh, that bunny pattern is so great! I love it. :D
Wow. What a great shawlette. So very pretty. And those socks! Awesome! I bought some cool pink yarn months ago for my son to make me socks, he offered!! But his carpentry is taking first place.
You will really, really love the Jane books.
I am praying for you. I am sorry. Health troubles are really the pits. Go give a cat a hug!!

Maggie said...

I love your frolicking bunnies! The weather is mad isn't it, yesterday was beautiful and today it is raining and horrible :-(

Love your knitting, your stitches are very neat. It's my ambition to knit some socks, i started some ages ago but really struggle with 4 needles.

Good luck with the reading challenge, i lowered my target this year because i start to panic towards the end of the year when i am behind, lol

Barb said...

Whatever is the problem, I hope it is resolved very quickly! I just love the bunny project, perfect for a spring stitch!! Your knitting looks great!

Annette-California said...

I love your sweet pretty bunny project! Hope all gets better for you soon. And all those beautiful warm cozy knitted projects you've been working on - lovely! love Annette

Mary said...

what great progress you're making on the crafting front(s)! I think making a heel is one of the best knitterly things ever...even after dozens of pairs, it still makes me feel accomplished :-) hope your issues get resolved soon. xo.

Annie said...

Your bunnies are super-cute. Lovely knitting too... nice to "cross-train" multiple types of needlework and crafts.

Wishing you a good outcome on the health front.

Kaisievic said...

That is such a gorgeous design - I love your bunnies. Glad that you relatively liked the ending of the King novel and thanks for telling me about Louise Penny, I had not heard of her. I hope that your medical and computer issues resolve themselves soon. Lastly, I am in awe of your knitting prowess - love the socks.

Brigitte said...

Oh my, how sweet, your frolicking bunnies. And great progress on your knitting projects. I'm looking forward to seeing your new stitchy stash. As I rarely ever buy new stash nowadays I still my hunger looking at other stitchers' new stash, lol.
I'm glad that you liked the Stephen King book. And great to see that you also started the Inspector Ganache series. I just love this series although I'm not very far into it yet. I have also joined the Goodreads reading challenge again but haven't read anything this year so far. I'm in a real reading slump. Nothing I start can keep my attention alive, sigh. I hope that this will change when the warmer weather will start and I can sit on the terrace and read.
I hope that your problems will soon be sorted out, the computer ones, but particularly the medicals ones.

Margaret said...

Love your bunnies! And oh boy, you are knitting! Love what you've knitted up. YOu're so much braver than me, with thumbs and socks. I keep thinking I'm interested in socks, but I'm never sure about that so I've never tried. I'll have to look up these Churchmouse socks.

Sarah in Stitches said...

Lovely stitching, and your knitting is absolutely gorgeous! I'm still basically a beginner in knitting, so I've never even attempted socks. Yours look amazing! :D

Angela said...

Adorable Bunny finish and all of your knitting projects are gorgeous! I really love the simple Stockinette Shawlette.

Cindy's Stitching said...

The bunnies are cute. You do rely nice socks, hats, etc

Preeti said...

Lovely stitching !! Your shawl is looking great :)
I know only basic knitting stitches. I crochet but I rarely make wearables.
Enjoy your reading. I don't bother much about my progress on goodread challenge, but it is good once in a while if we are pushed to do what we like otherwise I get lost in my infinite things of interests and hobbies and not-so-interesting household chores.

Julie said...

Cute bunnines and such lovely knitting you have been doing.
The sock wool is a lovely colour.

Lumiruusu said...

Hello Penny and thank you for visiting my blog!

The Bunnies are so cute pretty I really like that style of patterns. You are versatile crafter -doing both stitching and knitting!!!
All your knitted pieces are beautiful I really admire your crafting skills !

Carol said...

I'm finally catching up on my blog reading, Penny, and was delighted to see your Spring Frolic finish because I just ordered that very chart this morning :) Yours is adorable! I adore rabbits so I never tire of rabbit stitching.

And your knitting--wow! That shawl is such a gorgeous color. I have no idea how to knit, but your socks look great to me, too.

I'm sorry to read about your health issues... I do hope all will be fine. I had a scare last month, but, thankfully, the next test was normal. Take care now, Penny--hope you are enjoying the lovely spring weather that we've been having.