Cast on the Alligator Scarf

Since I used a substitute yarn, I knitted a small piece to check my gauge (20 stitches x 26 rows = 4" x 4").Poppy was happy snoozing away until I took this picture to show my casting on row.This pattern is so easy and fun, needles fly…and I am knitting the main part of gator body already.

Next Project

Rainy days are dreamy days. These are the days when the air is fresh, the temperature is cool, and it is just cosy to stay indoor; and me? Busy dreaming about what I should do next, of course.

Right now I am working on a cardigan from the top down for a little girl, all in one piece.
The next project? After rummaging through my stash of yarns and books and patterns…the winner is this alligator scarf. No, I might never have a chance to wear it in Florida, but such funny looking scarf? (sigh) I have never said I am logical.

I have even taken the trouble to check the length of the yarn by winding it on a niddy noddy. I think I am good for this one.

It's raining.

Yes! It is raining. But when it rains here in Florida, as my hubby would say “That’s proper rain.” It is pouring down and it has been chucking it down all night and all morning. So happy it is raining…the trees and shrubs need a good soaking after a long dry spell.

New borns

I was working in the yard the other day, picking up fallen palm fronds at the north side of our garden when I heard chirping noises. Poppy heard it too and we went to investigate. What we saw kept me and Poppy glued to the ground; there were three little furry baby opossums. One was lost, and he was so tiny he couldn’t see his way home, so he called out. His chirps were answered by his two litter mates who were waiting by the entrance to their den. The little lost one then waddled ever so slowly to wards the guiding noises.

Poppy was so good. She saw the opossums, watched the little one making his way through the bushes, all she did was to nudge me with her nose and gave me a look to say “Did you see that?” I told her, yes I did “They are this year’s new-borns.” And with that, we carried on watching with fascination. The little guy made it safely home. There was a happy reunion and then all three waddled back into the den.

Then it was time for me and Poppy to go home ourselves. On the way back, I suddenly remembered the baby sweater I made for NewBorns-In-Need . I kept meaning to mail it but have yet to get round of doing it. I will do it now - my first ever baby sweater for a charity.

Materials:
Bambino Double Knitting with Cotton
Knitting needle size: 4.00mm
Patterns: Robin R223

Spring

When you see the first snowdrop, you know winter is almost over. No dainty snowdrops in Florida, but I do know spring is here. The pine trees are sprouting new growth in earnest.
Baby mango fruits are forming thick and fast on the young mango tree.

The orchids are in full bloom, not as delicate as snowdrops but just as pretty.

Crocheted Green Cotton Cardigan

Using the same yarn as the knitted green cotton vest, I crocheted this cardigan using the basic shape of a Patons pattern and added two daisy flowers. It took a lot longer than what I originally anticipated. I am just please that it is finished now.

Materials:
100% cotton yarn
Six 15mm mother of pearls buttons
Crochet hook size: 2.00mm and 1.80mm for the borders

Patterns:
Patons PBN E 5290 (modified – left out the motif border)
Daisy flowers were from a Prima magazine pull-out

Knitted Green Cotton Vest

My stash of fiber, yarn, and fabric has grown so much over the years, they take up a lot of space in my craft room. I did a big tidy up last year, had a good look at what I got, and made a To-Do project list...I am making good progress in using up my stash. Here is one of them: a knitted little cotton top, great for the Florida summer.

Material: 100% 3 ply cotton
Pattern: Dolly (designed by Kim Hargreaves) on page 93 in The Knitter's Bible by Kate Buller