It's Independence Day, and I have the day off. I finished a little knitting project.

Just a humble dishcloth. I made dishcloths when I was a beginning knitter without much money. I could handle the simple knit-and-purl patterns, the small projects that didn't involve shaping. I could afford $1.29 for new yarn.

I can make more advanced, more glamorous projects. I have a stash filled with silks, mohair, and oodles of fancy sock yarns. But this is a palate cleanser, a meditation. Not only do I want to knit wonderful wraps and sweaters and all of Cookie's sock patterns, I want to remember the simple joy of knitting for the sake of knitting. And the freedom to choose!

• Pattern: Garterlac Dishcloth from Criminy Jickets. I found this pattern on Ravelry

• Yarn: Lily Sugar n' Cream. I don't know what the colorway is called, but this is old yarn.

• Needles: Size 7 straight

It's truly a wonderful feeling to complete a project, especially when you have a deadline, and it's for someone else. These are straight off the needles. I finished the second sock last night, saw that there was still some daylight, and took them outside for photos.

• Pattern: Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush.

• Yarn: Lisa Souza Sock! in Turqua

• Needles: Size 0 double pointed

• Adjustments: Worked over 72 stitches, as opposed to 63. I like the firmer fabric I got with size 0 needles.

I really enjoyed the pattern, it was easy to memorize after a few repeats on the first sock. I want to make this pattern again for myself, which is not something I want to do very often.

For a sense of closure, I must say that I finished the baby sweater. I am now satisfied with the sleeve length. I think this turned out pretty cute.

• Pattern: Trellis from Knitty

• Yarn: Cleckheaton Country 8-ply Color 2194 Sage Green (Machine Washable!) from Yarn!

• Needles: Size 7

• Buttons from Britex Fabrics, as usual.

• Adjustments: Cast on more stitches for sleeves, worked shorter sleeves.

So I'm going to send this out today, before the intended recipient grows anymore.

Now I only have 5 works in progress! Three of them are pairs of socks, and two of those are past the heel on the second pair, so they should be finished in short order.

Peonies are in season.

I've restarted the sleeves I blogged about before for the baby sweater, finished one and started the second. Aiming for weekend completion.

Past the heel on the second Sockapalooza sock. I work on that project when I'm commuting, but that's only about 40 minutes a day, all told. Slowly but surely.

Some new yarn:

This is maybe a DK weight wool in natural brown. It's from Full Belly Farm in Guinda, north of Napa. I picked this up at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, just a little way from where I work. It's a great little lunchtime getaway for me. The Capay Organic Fruits and Vegetables booth sells this yarn in a variety of natural colors and weights, as well as a whole lot of lavender products.

I want to make a warm hat or something out of this. It's fairly rustic, with plenty of non-wool "fiber" in it, if you know what I mean. Noro yarns have nothing on this. But it's actually pretty soft, nonetheless.