Kninja Knitter

I’d originally planned to post more about my travels earlier, but it just hasn’t happened. So today’s post will be a lengthy one! Plus, the 16th Year of Projects (my second) started this week, so I’ll be sharing my initial plans. I’ve got lots to share, so I’ll get right to it!

Stitched or Still-in-Progress

With the month of June ending, I completed my Camp Loopy project for the month. It went down to the wire, though I bound off before the sun went down! And since I managed over 950 yards in the finished shawl, I have already achieved the highest minimum-yardage requirement. That is sure to make August an easy month.

Next, I had plenty of opportunities to work on my vanilla sock throughout the week, particularly as my travel began. I made it to through the heel, and I’m opting to use the speckled blue stripe segment on the heel flap. I haven’t decided yet how I’ll handle the cuffs, but I’ve got some time to think on that. I loved that I reached the heel turn right after the speckled blue stripe of the main yarn had started!

My boomerang shawl hasn’t seen as much love as my two primary travel projects since it requires referring to the pattern. The herringbone stitch pattern, achieved with knits & purls, isn’t not at all intuitive. I don’t mind though – it’s worth the effort!

I also have the patriotic cowl (Freedom) on the cruise with me, but I haven’t worked on it in some time. I may pull it out later this week, as there are a couple knitting meet-ups scheduled during the cruise.

Cast-on Conversations

I’ve started one knitting project in the past week, my Camp Loopy item for July. After taking the photo this morning, I finished the first skein and started the second, having started the shaping decreases yesterday. I’m about halfway through the body before I split for the armholes. I’m enjoying the yarn and loving the color – this will be great to wear this summer!

My further plans for the Year of Projects are mostly vague since I learned I’m better off under-committing to begin the year. Still, I know I’ll usually have a pair of socks and a shawl of some kind in the works, particularly once the Pigskin Party kicks off in September, along with the NFL season. I have some specific patterns in mind for yarn I purchased recently. I’m also determined to resume working on my Zig Zag blanket in memory of Susan Hayes, the beautiful mind behind Desert Vista Dyeworks.

I also started another new project this week, though I didn’t cast on exactly. I may create a new section header for this work going forward, but I’m still thinking it through. Before I even made it home from Zombie Knitpocalypse, a new toy had been shipped and arrived at my house: a Daedalus Dove e-spinner! I’d ordered it in mid-June and didn’t expect it to arrive until mid-July. I have a substantial collection of fiber, so it’s high time I start using it. There’s a good chance I’ll end up plying it on my Ashford, but the singles will grow on this beauty. I’ve tentatively named her Athena, and this photo was taken after just one day of spinning, so it’s not current,.

Grandson Glimpses

This section will be brief as I know the next will be lengthy. I have a little family fun to share – my niece and her family decided to celebrate Independence Day in Columbus (from Boston, lol). Since my niece flew in early while her hubby and son would be driving out the day I flew to Boston, I arranged to get together with her for dinner and some visiting time. My son and his family joined us for dinner, and my grandson had another chance to meet his cousin. (I don’t think they spent any time together when we all met in December.)

Travel Tales

I will likely share more in a dedicated post later in the week, but here’s some highlights from the past four days! As I mentioned earlier, I flew to Boston on Friday. I was very glad that I could get a flight that didn’t require reporting to the airport before dawn! That meant my son could deliver me and my luggage so I don’t have a parking expense on top of everything, lol. Both legs of my air journey east were uneventful. Once I landed in Boston, though, it got interesting. Suffice it to say, I felt like Steve Martin in Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Saturday was quite the party as the United States celebrated its semiquincentennial! That’s 250 years, lol. I made my way to the north side of the city, hoping to walk as much of the Freedom Trail as I could before the heat peaked. I managed to see quite a few of the landmarks, and I also got to take in some of the Independence Day parade. I had to check out of my hotel at noon, and then I started making my way to the cruise terminal. After boarding, I made my way up to the spa in hopes of scheduling a pedicure since I wasn’t able to find time to get one at home. They managed to fit me in right away! By the time I got back to my cabin, my luggage had been delivered, so I’ve been enjoying the sandal life most of the time since.

The ship set sail pretty much on time, and then we made our way into the Boston Harbor, expecting to enjoy the city’s aerial spectacles. A drone show was scheduled along with fireworks. Alas, stormy weather caused significant delays, and apparently the drone show was canceled. Then, our view of the fireworks was severely impeded by the buildings between us and the Charles River where they were launched. The captain delivered a respectful apology the next day, not that it was something he could control.

The ship sailed north to our first port, and on Sunday afternoon we arrived at Saint John, New Brunswick, as scheduled, though it took longer than expected to clear the administrative requirements. That meant a late start to excursions, though my tour was mostly on time: Bay of Fundy Coastal Photography, led by a retired professional photographer (and quite the comedic speaker) Lance Timmons.

Today is an at-sea day, and I’ve been relaxing quite a bit. I had breakfast delivered to my stateroom this morning, and I lounged a while, watching movies and knitting after I took my #MarkItMonday photos. I also made it to a knitting meet-up that was scheduled in the Art Studio, where I enjoyed meeting a few other fiber crafters on board.

I do have a lot more to share about these adventures, but I’ll wait until either later in the week (our last day on the ship is spent at sea) or once I get home on the weekend.

Knit on. 🧶