Knitting, Mitten & Sock Blockers

Summer time knitting is always a treat! I often have a sweater on my needles, but this season I am finishing up smaller projects. These projects were either on the needles or were requested.  I usually like to knit larger projects, but I have been having a blast with all my smaller knitting projects this summer.

Mitten & Sock Blockers

The other knitting accessory I have wanted for years has been a set of mitten and sock blockers.  I went on Etsy and found some with excellent reviews by: Squire Country Crafts.  These blockers have excellent craftsmanship, smooth, and well constructed.  I look forward to using them.

Kokkeluri Mittens

Kate Davies, Kokkeluri Mittens are one of the projects currently on my needles.  This project has been a hoot and a great one to remind an experienced knitter like myself of the endless mistakes one can make while knitting!

Let me start with reading the directions correctly!  At which point for some reason I thought I needed to knit these mittens on a US DPN size 1 when the pattern clearly suggests a US 2.  I knitted a left mitten and thought "man Kate has small hands there is NO WAY this mitten will fit me even after blocking."  I frogged the mitten and re-knitted it with some added rows . . . tried it on again and thought, "What the heck again way to small!"  Now somewhere along the line I decided to change colors another huge mistake!  I frogged again!  Oh but before frogging the third time and starting the mitten the third time I realized . . . I WAS USING THE WRONG SIZE NEEDLES!   Oh knitting my most humbling friend!

The only lame excuse I could come up with for all these foolish errors was I was trying to knit these during ski racing season!

Once I got the right size needles, gave up on a different color combo my life got easier! I am now just finishing up the left hand thumb and hope to later today caston for the right mitten.

My dear knitting, hiking, biking, skiing, and relaxing buddy: Sadie.  We are both soaking up the morning sunshine in the side garden.

Morning sun, Sadie, coffee and a great project on the needles.

Love this photo showing mitten progress inside my house with yes a down jacket on in July!  Oh the joys of a Montana summer.

China . . . Really, I traveled with a day pack full of CHINA!

For years I would travel to visit my mother with a backpack.  She would pick me up at the airport and say things like, "When are you ever going to travel with a suitcase like a normal person?"  "Still with a backpack!" "You know they make nicer suitcases today." To this, "A backpack is easier to spot in all the regular luggage."  I will admit over the years we now travel with North Face duffel bags that are water-proof and do hold up well to travel abuses.  We have had these bags for about 15 years.  The oldest bag does have a few worn spots, but nothing that duct tape can not take care off!

Recently we were back east for a family visit.  My sister and I went through some of our mom's china/dishes and a bit of silver.  Then I had to figure out how to hand carry all these fragile treasures.  I wrapped all of it up in plastic and bubble wrap and placed it inside a stuff sack and then into my light weight older Dana day pack.  I was able to carry all of the treasures back to Montana without an issue. Meanwhile my mother laughed to herself, "still using a backpack I see!"

The old Dana Design Pack . . . perfect for travel and well used over the years.

The Stuff Sack full of old family treasures!

This tea cup and the one below were bought in the mid 60s and I always loved them.   

This is a great pack for travel as you can roll it up and stuff it away.  It was what I used to haul my treasures home.  I doubt they still make this back as it was made before Dana sold and has since returned to pack making.