Back to reality...

We are back from our two week tour of the east coast. We made it all the way to Lake Winnipesaukee New Hampshire, back to Florida with lots of stops in between. Saw all the family, including my almost one year old nephew for the first time. Our week at Fenwick Island DE was the hottest of the year, but thanks to my brother in law's mom, we had a beautiful house to stay in, with a view of the Assawoman Bay, so even when it was too hot for the beach or the pool, we had fun. The beer snob visited his version of Mecca- the Dogfishhead Brew Pub in Rehobeth Beach DE- and drank his share of their brews, and bought some merchandise. I managed to avoid all yarn stores (the only one I really saw was closed).
I did, however, manage to get some knitting done. I'm pretty proficient in the car. First, I finished my Fiery Bolero. I'm pretty happy with it too. It is from Interweave Knits Summer '05, by Debbie Bliss, and made in Cathay. I actually made it from the Cathay that I frogged from the failed Somewhat Cowl. I was really worried for a while, b/c it was coming out very bumpy and messy, but blocking seemed to solve all my woes. I really liked making it. Very simple construction, but still a challenge for me- all the ribbing is picked up, and while that's not difficult, I find it difficult to do it well. I think I succeeded here. I probably could have made the sleeve shorter (what a surprise) but I'll live. I also did my first bit of short row shaping, and I like the way it turned out also. I'd read that Debbie Bliss patterns weren't very clear but I didn't have any problems. I like!
Next I have Grumperina's Odessa, from Magknits. I made it out of Plymouth Encore DK (from a very old stash) and some cheap pearly beads from Joann's. Big sister claimed it immediately, and although it fit me, it looks MUCH cuter on her (even with the chocolate face), so I think she made a wise choice. Once again, Kathy had designed something really cute, with very clear, easy to understand instructions. This was my first project in which I knit with Beads, so that was a challenge at first, but not for long. I can definitely see making it again (Becca, did you start yours?). It's also one of those projects that everyone oohs and ahhs over (which we all love...).
Last, I have one Pretty Comfy Sock, by Debbie Young. It's made from Cascade Fixation, and its a faux cable. I altered it a bit by only doing 3 sets of the pattern repeat up top, but otherwise, its knit as written. Another fun pattern. I was looking for a lacy sock pattern, and wanted to use fixation (avoiding wool again), and this does it all. Hopefully the second sock will go as well.
The other bit of knitting that I did, I don't have photos of. My mom and I knit dishclothes for my bil's mom, and a thank you gift for letting us use the house at a very discounted rate. I made a Mason dixon wash cloth (the 6 sided one) and one from the burp cloth pattern. They looked really cute. I ended up giving my mom my MDK book- she really like it, and she gave me a bunch of yarn from her stash, so we traded. Other highlights of the trip included- stopping a my parent's house in Baltimore, riding the Block Island Ferry and eating lots of seafood for a day. Riding a jet ski on Lake Winnipesaukee. Spending lots of time with my brother, sister, parents and my nieces and nephews. We just don't see them enough. Add to that overnights in Hopkinton Mass and Chapel Hill NC, and you've got an idea of our vacation.