SailingKnitter

by Geneve Hoffman Photography, for Storey Publishing

So...how cute is this? I actually gasped when I saw this photo of my knit project for the first time. What an angel!

This is just one of the adorable photos that were created for the 101 knitting patterns in the brand new One-Skein Wonders for Babies book recently released by Storey Publishing. Yes, three of my fresh new designs are included in this compilation of patterns for hand knitters, and yes, I'm so tickled.

Seen here is the Smocked Lace Toddler Hat and Mitten set which is knit in fingering weight yarn and features a unique lacy edging. Also in this book are my Scallops and Ribbing Baby Cap and Socks and Folded Lace Cuff Socks (see photos below).

As soon as I received my author's copy of the book I curled up with it and slowly flipped through the pages. The color photography is beautiful and surreal, especially for those of us who yearn for grandchildren by our way-already-old-enough sons. But I digress.

My local bookstore (Books A Million) already has copies on their shelves so I'm sure they are available
at your local yarn store and Amazon. All of us knitters are sure to have a few (cough, cough) beautiful single skeins of yarn in our stash that are just waiting for the right project. Most of us have enough hand-dyed shawls and accessories for ourselves, but there are always babies being born that need soft warm things too. Babies are the perfect size for one skein projects!

Yep. I'm going to be knitting some of the other designs in this book you can bet on that. These new projects will join the ones that I knit for the publication of this book. Those knit samples? Well, they have been lovingly put to to rest and wait in the hope chest. You know, for that joyful day in the future. There's always hope.

Life is good.

Folded Lace Cuff Socks

Scallops and Ribbing Baby Cap and Socks

LOW COUNTRY BOIL

So, what did you have for your labor Day celebratory feast? We had our first experience with what is called a "Low Country Boil" courtesy of the Brunswick Landing Marina. What is it? Well, it's a big 'ole boiling pot of water with sweet corn on the cob, potatoes, sausage, and shrimp all flavored with hot pepper spice! Yummy!
Well, often when they build boats, they install things like the hoses before they install the cabinets, sinks, etc. Yep. He had to remove the sink counter and plumbing, the cabinets, the toilet, and some flooring to reach the offending hoses. This took several days of work in the small cramped space.

Thankfully, we are in the USA and there is a West Marine store (you know, that place that sucks all the cash out of boaters' wallets) so we were able to buy the correct hoses ($100). For safety reasons (and only an additional $75) Jonesy replaced the anti-siphon valves as long as he had access to them. These valves prevent seawater from being sucked up the hoses and into the boat.

What was I doing all this time?
Oh, just the usual crafty endeavors including socks for Jonesy (above) and lots of pottery. I've been playing with glazes and combinations of glazes for the pine needle basket bottoms and assorted trays.

Then, of course I've been continuing to work on my reed egg basket a few reeds at a time. It really gives my fingers a workout! Soon, very soon I'll get working on the pine needle baskets. It's just that the clay stuff is too much fun and is very rewarding.

Life is good.