Summer is here at last. I've started some new knitting projects, and I finished up some others.

I managed to finish up the socks I had left over from March and April.

• Pattern: Rivendell Socks from The Eclectic Sole by Janel Laidman
• Yarn: Knitted Wit Superwash Merino Fingering Weight in kissed
• Needles: 2.75mm
• Started March 1, 2010 -- Finished May 21, 2010

The Rivendell Socks seemed difficult before I actually cast on. There are some tricky wrap stitches on the cuff, but the majority of the sock is simply twisted stitches against a reverse stockinette background. Knitting the heel in this pattern was a good opportunity for practicing purling through the back loop, which is a move that confounded me for the longest time.

• Pattern: Brigit Socks by Monkey Toes (Ravelry Link)
• Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy in November Muse
• Needles: 2.75mm for cuffs, 3.0mm for feet.
• Started April 1, 2010 -- Finished June 6, 2010

It seems appropriate that my April socks are for Walker, since April is the month we got married. Too bad I didn’t finish them more quickly. The pattern is pretty easy, just some small cables that are repeated over and over. I quickly memorized the pattern, which made the second sock go pretty quickly. It’s always hard, however, to knit such large socks. It’s just a lot of knitting!

I have been working on the big blanket in Noro Kureyon. I got all the pieces attached and am nearly done with the border. I only have one (long) edge to go, hopefully I’ll be able to finish it today.

• Pattern: Based on Log Cabin Square Pattern
• Yarn: Noro Kureyon in a variety of colors and Louet Riverstone in Caribou for the borders
• Needles: 5 mm
• Started May 8, 2009

It may be telling that the internal borders are wider than the external border. I just couldn’t do all those long rows.

We took a little vacation in June, hanging out in Portland with our friend Sean and then going to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. I stopped by Websters, but I did not get any yarn! It is a fantastic store, but I just didn’t feel like buying anything. There’s a first time for everything. ;-) We brought our dog, so shopping was very limited. I decided to bring along a “vacation project”, which probably kept my fingers from itching for something new.

• Pattern: Montego Bay Scarf by Amy Singer from Interweave Knits Summer 2007
• Yarn: Handmaiden Sea Silk
• Needles: 5 mm
• Started June 25, 2010

I screwed up the pattern, but I don’t think I’m going to care, so I’m not ripping back. It’s really fast, the open stitches make the scarf grow really fast. When the weather gets hot, this will be a project that won’t make me spontaneously combust. It’s cool and very, very easy. This yarn has been waiting to be turned into something for a long time.