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.

Last Wednesday was my birthday and the end of my 7-month yarn diet. I had a great birthday. I started the day with presents, then a run, then a delicious smoothie.

I love having smoothies for breakfast, especially when I'm all sweaty from running. I tried a different combination than we usually use, just frozen strawberries, frozen mango chunks, half a frozen banana, and about 1 cup each vanilla soymilk and 100% pomegranate juice. The vanilla and mango really add to the sweetness, and I swear this tasted just like a strawberry milkshake, only it was healthy. Probably a lot fewer calories, too.

After work on my birthday, Walker came to pick me up at work and we went down to Twisted for some birthday yarn. Walker asked about a colorway I had been craving, "Cloudy with a Chance" from Blue Moon, and they had it in Medium Weight Socks that Rock. I had to have that colorway since it's just like the name of the podcast, plus it's shades of gray, which I love.

I picked out a pattern for a very cute hipster scarf called Ananke (Ravelry link), designed by Shannon, and some Verb for Keeping Warm Annapurna with which to make it.

My yarn diet is nearly over, and I have still not bought any yarn since October. It's been satisfying to follow through with a goal, but I have to admit I'm disappointed with how little I've actually finished. There were some large projects I was hoping to finish, and it's clear that I won't.

My starting goals were:

Finish:

• Mossbank Pullover
• Kureyon Log Cabin Blanket
• Tangled Yoke Cardigan
• Shetland Tea Shawl
• One other lace shawl TBD

I did finish the Tangled Yoke Cardigan, and I made some progress on the Mossbank Pullover and the Shetland Tea Shawl. I'm nearly done with the Log Cabin Blanket, but no other shawls have been started. I have restarted knitting socks, which is great since I love wearing socks. I have been trying to knit a pair of socks every month. March didn't work out, those socks are nearly done, but there yet.

Rivendell Socks Twisted Wit yarn in "Kissed" Size 2 and 1.5 needles

I couldn't help but start some new socks for April as well.

Dyeing is messy.

I'm very proud of our latest episode of Cloudy with a Chance of Fiber. My friend Natalie and I did some dyeing at her house. We dyed several pounds of yarn, some hand-painted, some kettle-dyed. We talk about our experience dyeing, as well as discussion of working through the stash, what we've been knitting, and "The Good Life".

The podcast can be directly downloaded from the link above, or just search iTunes for "Cloudy with a Chance of Fiber"

The changing seasons affect my knitting plans. I am not planning on starting cowls and hats I had wanted to work on, and I actually feel like knitting less and gardening more. My mom is probably laughing to think that I would sometimes rather garden than knit. That's right, Mom, you were right.

I was so happy with our vegetable garden last year that I want to improve on it this year. I also want to change the plants in our yard. Walker got a new lawnmower, which should make caring for the lawn less of a strain compared to the old push mower.

Since my last post, I "competed" in the Ravelry Olympics Knit-along known as "Ravelympics". I wanted to finish a sweater I started in 2008. I didn't finish by closing ceremonies, but I finished shortly afterwards. This picture isn't very good. I will put up a new one when I can take one with sunlight.

Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang from Interweave Knits Fall 2007

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, color 38. 9 skeins

Needles: Sizes 5 and 4

Started June 13 2008, Finished March 9 2010

I've also started some new socks for my sock-of-the-month project. I think this is a perfect Spring sock.