Yarn along - and going and going

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? -- Ginny at Small Things.

I am still working on Mouse's Sweater -the green- but limited by my hand pain to between a half an inch to an inch at a time. It is going slowly but looks good and every time he sees me working on it I get a kiss. The red and pink things are socks knit toe up and two at a time. These are the practice version, the author suggested a practice pair in non-matching colors to aid in learning the technique and lessen confusion. These are a second practice pair as the first are done.  My kids were all very excited to see whose feet the practice socks would fit! It was a sock lottery, tiny feet trying out for the role of Cinderella or in this case sock owner.  Butterfly won. So I am knitting a second set to give her two matching pairs for Christmas.  These knit up very fast and the naughty little voice in my head is saying something about 'if I get everything else done, I could knit a pair for each kid, in time for Christmas!' I am thinking about drowning that voice.

I am still reading (more like staring puzzledly at) the weaving book from last week. Not to sure about it, the beautifully written and engaging historical sections have past into technical descriptions that make reading how to program a vcr easy.  I am adding this book on gardening plants used for dyeing, I have not started it yet, but many people have recommended it.

I love my tea cozy - a present from Resee last year - and could not resist adding it to the shot.  In the pot is cold earl grey tea brewed yesterday and left overnight with the tea in. I forgot to grab more coffee last night when picking up the kids from school, being distracted by realizing the Butterfly was sick.  She is home from school today and bored.

Meet the new addition to my studio family:

I am very excited to try it out!  My parents sent away for it as a birthday present and it arrived yesterday.  I am a bit irritated with the postal worker who left it on the bench by the door without even ringing the bell. She did not need to wait, but I was home and would've liked to bring it in right away. I had been watching for it but she arrived much earlier in the day than she normally goes around.  I only got it in the house before kid pick up time because the boys competition team (both boys paint figures and build models in an internationally placed team) stopped by to bring the boys there models and medals from the show in Chicago.  Beaver took Silver and Mouse (who made the team in July) took Bronze. I'll post pictures of the models tomorrow.

I am excited to see what everyone is working on!
~Julia