Easter 2012

Easter is always such a fun time of year.  The grass if finally turning green, and weather is bright and sunny.  This year it was a beautiful day.  We had brunch on the deck, with extended family, along with a little Easter Egg Hunt.

The kids were all dressed up in their Easter finery.  Nola's other Grandmother beat me to the punch, getting her this darling little sunflower dress and matching white shoes.  She looked so cute.

The others received my handywork.  I sewed Emery's dress, and knit the boys vests to match.

Easton was the first to notice the racing flag stripe across the chest.

And Zeek just pointed at it and said "Lightning McQueen".  I guess he was referring to the movie "Cars", which is his favorite.  The knitting pattern for these vests can be found at:  Ravelry.  They are knit in a bamboo/poly blend, that is soft and has a great sheen to it.  They knit up quickly, in-the-round.  To read more, go to my project page on Ravelry:  Lori's Ravelry Projects. 

Nancy, from my knitting group was knitting a similar vest for her grandson, in blue, for Easter.  I can't wait to see it, when we meet again.  Be sure to bring it with you Nancy, or better yet, a picture that I can share.

We had a little egg hunt, and everyone really enjoyed being outside in the sunshine.  Brunch with blueberry and chocolate chip waffles, asparagus fritatas, hashbrowns, sausage, bacon, and chocolate milk or orange juice were on the menu, and everything tasted yummy!

Nola found a pacifier-like sucker, with these funny bunny teeth.

Such a fun day, really tuckered her out.  This picture was taken just before she was strapped in her car seat, with a bottle full of chocolate milk, for the long ride home to Idaho Falls.  She is not supposed to get chocolate milk in her bottle, nor is she supposed to have a bottle, except for at bedtime, but Grandmas can be a little sneeky sometimes.

Don't forget . . . a 450 yard hank of this Alpaca/Bamboo blend yarn will be given away to one of my blog followers, on May 1.  Get signed up, if you are interested. 

I'll be heading to Hawaii next week, with my Sister and her husband.  I have my travelling knitting project all ready to go.  I'll be knitting a blessing dress for new grand-daughter, whose expected arrival is in early June.  It is going to be soft and lacy, with a matching bonnet and shoes.  This will keep me busy during the long flights, and during some relaxing afternoons on the beach.  We are planning to see Kawaii and Maui, which I've heard are the most beautiful islands.  I should have some great pictures of the Hawaiin landscape and the progress of my knitting project, for my next post.  Happy Knitting . . .

Alexandria

The pattern for my ribbed tunic, "Alexandria", is finally finished and posted.

This design was entered in my sketchpad last Fall, but Christmas knitting always takes presidence, so she didn't make it to my needles until February.

The sample was knit up in Knitpicks Gloss - HW, on size US8 and US9 needles.  The color I chose was Masala and I used approximately 5.5 skiens. 

Using blocking wires, threaded through the bottom and shoulders, made it easy to block.  The varied ribbed pattern gave it easy body shaping.

The smaller needles brought it in at the waist, for a flattering shape.

A faux, double-breasted front, using large snaps, helped to keep the front to lie flat.  The front and back were knit separately, and after using a 3-needle bind-off at the shoulders, the front placket and neckband were picked-up and knit in ribbing, going the opposite direction of the body.

I was really pleased with the final product.  The fit was perfect, and although the warmer weather will prevent me from wearing the tunic with leggings and boots, I guess it will be fine with crop pants and sandals, at least until it is too hot to wear a heavy knit.  You can get the pattern for Alexandria at:  Ravelry.

Licorice Whip will be delivering her first crea (baby alpaca) in early May.  Since my last give-away was so well received, I have decided to give-away a 450 yard hank of Licorice's DK weight yarn. 

The yarn is a heathered gray, and is an alpaca/bamboo blend.  It is extremly soft.  A drawing will be made from my "Followers" on May Day (May 1), so get signed up, if you are interested in winning.  I'll keep you posted on Licorice's delivery.  Happy Knitting!