Well, hello, strangers!

It's getting to be the time of year when I really start questioning my commitment to the whole working outside the home routine. Truly, a cozy fire, clean folded laundry put away in actual drawers, and steady progress on my knitting projects would be a fine change about now. I have five days home coming up shortly, however, so hopefully I can settle in for some fire/laundry/knitting time very, very soon!

Last weekend I was miraculously able to escape with my knitting buddies for a field trip to Port Gamble, where we parked ourselves for hours of knitting at The Artful Ewe-- the most picturesque & cozy (there's that word again!), and inviting yarn/fiber shop I have ever encountered! I immediately regretted not bringing my camera-- but the pictures in my mind will remain until we visit again. What a lovely, lovely day!

Since the kiddos were at grandma's & I was able to knit pretty much uninterrupted for many hours straight, I finished two projects that have been hanging around unfinished for awhile: the girlie's Swing Thing, and the man's Cobblestone Pullover. The swing coat had only been on the needles since the spring, but, oh my, the man's sweater was going on two years! It is like a huge weight off to be finished with that project, although I'm sure the man is a little disappointed that his favorite jibe has been taken off the table ("It sure is cold. It sure would be nice if I had a sweater to wear!) The best part is that it actually fits him! It's blocking & very slowly drying in the cool of the garage, but the girlie's sweater coat is completely done & ready to wear:

It is knit from Peace Fleece-- Antarctic White, Perestroika Pink, and a skein of artisan dyed that I've had in my stash since the boy was just a baby (he's 5 now and would probably not deign to wear wool pants, even if I wanted to knit a pair that large!). After I completed it, I washed it in the washer & dried it in the dryer to felt it somewhat (as much as Peace Fleece felts, that is). It is fuzzy & warm and, well, cozy! Cherry wood buttons from South4th Woodcraft... in case you're in need of buttons or beautiful shawl pins.

If I'm lucky, the man will cooperate for some sweater pics later this week. In the meantime, Happy Knitting!