Knitting, Sci-fi and other stuff...

     I've actually done some crafting.  I signed up for two swaps so I need to get some knitting done for these.  I won't mention which swap this is for just in case my partner stumbles across my blog.  I'm knitting a hat currently.  It's the free pattern Lake Reed.  It called for a tubular cast-on.  Truth be told I've never done a tubular cast-on before but the pattern had a YouTube link.  The tutorial was very nicely put together and I successfully did my first one. It was a touch on the fiddly side but the result is 100% worth it.  I'm using Malabrigo Rios in the Cian colorway for this.  The wording in the pattern is a bit questionable in a couple places but I like the way this is coming out. I've finished the hat but I don't have an updated picture.  I also need to give this a really good wash and get it blocked. I have a game plan worked out for the hand made items for the other swap. Not much else to report here....

     I finished my Hollyhock Mittens .  I wove in the ends and got them washed and blocked. This was a fun, easily memorized pattern and bonus, it was free.  I'd be more than willing to do this one again.  I used Malabrigo Rios in the Sunset colorway. Pre-Blocking Next up, I want to do a hat.  I've had Rotini Beanie on my radar for some time.  It'll look amazing in a more variegated skein of Mal Rios English Rose. I used some more Rhubarb from my garden.  I found a nice easy muffin recipe.  They were delicious and my coworkers really liked them.  Both my children liked the muffins as well and I promised my son we'd make another batch.  (He was a little disappointed that I took all but one to work.)  I'm going to double the recipe next time we do it, which will hopefully be soon. That's about it for me.  Work has already been absolutely nuts this week and its only Tuesday.  I would have posted this yesterday but...

      I finished the knitting on my Killer Queen Cowl before I left for my work trip.  I haven't done anymore with it since I returned.  It needs to be blocked and seamed. I realized as I was nearing the end of this knit that I would need something to take with me on my trip.  Stitchnerd just published a new cowl pattern and at least three people in the Malabrigo Junkies group have already made it.  It only takes one skein of Rios and I had a nice variegated one already wound so I tossed everything in my bag to take with me.  I started this in my hotel room while I was on my trip. That Nice Stitch Bandana Cowl My trip went well.  The drive was just a little less than 5 hours down.  I took the "short" way down which involved a county route that goes around the old Erie canal locks.  I haven't taken that way in a long time, there was construction and then more construction in Utica when I needed to get on Interstate 90.  It was a...