Wow, has it really been two weeks. My where does the time go. I haven't even thought much about blogging lately. Knitting, sure, there is always knitting. That is just second nature. But blogging, I guess I have been enjoying the summer too much.  So all is well here, finished objects to show soon, just waiting for the "photoshoot". So  don't kick me out of blog land just yet -k.

For those of you who are still around, not off on a fabulous vacation I need your help. My bestest friend is opening a yarn store.... so tell me you favorite needle brands. Your everyday and what you would pick up when you need something special. Bamboo over metal? I wanna know that too. Thanks!

* My new necklace, was picked up for me by my husband at magic mountian this week. I think it is super fun! 

I think everyone has been talking or thinking about how quite things have been in blogland lately. Is everyone on summer vacation? And you know when Kathy says comments are slow, things must be slow. I am knitting, a little bit here and there, but not finishing things like in previous months.

So I though I would share what else is going on, other things I have been up to. I am a contributing author for Self Portrait Challenge site, I posted my first post today actually. I will be sharing some of my favorite links. And I am very excited. I have have been posting my own self portraits weekly as well, over on the daily photo's part of this blog.

It is amazing to me how the internet has help me grow creatively. And SPC in general has given me a boldness and honesty I didn't realize I had. Plus it goes without saying far my knitting has come since I started this blog. There was my first cable, to my failed first socks attempts. Sure sometimes I get bored with the internet, but mostly it is an inspiration. 

Time for a change. A little knitting for someone else (ahem). I love socks and all, but I have had this yarn sitting around for some time now. And since the recipient will be visiting soon, (snicker) I thought heck, I should bust this out. And I must say it is enjoyable:

The Lace Cami, from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. The pattern calls for silk, I went the cotton (cheep) route, and I am really enjoying Knit Picks Shine. It is soft and has a nice sheen and drape. Sure it isn't silk, but nice none the less.  I am knitting on size 6 addis, and wow after what seems like years on size ones, these babies are huge. And not to mention fast. I am a few inches away from the under arms. Although I am on gauge wise, the "tube" is measuring 3 inches too big. I figure I will press on and let her try it on first before I rip... lets just hope it doesn't have to come to that.

The lace it the same as orangina, just upside down.  It adds a nice touch, I think. I am now obsessed with little tanks in the round. I bought some Rowan Lightweight Dk, in a mustard color for Ms. Marigold. And after that is I decided I like tanks I am going to go with one or both from the Jems collection. I even bought the pattern for the argyle vest, I think I might be hooked! I figure these are "work wearable" over a button down or something. I am trying to not get ahead of myself here, but then again...

I am dreaming about Argyle.

We decided to try out hand at gardening, on our new patio. Some tomatoes, hot peppers, and herbs. A salsa garden if you will.  And look at my Roma's:

Lookie, I haven't killed them , yet! This is a big deal, I don't even have house plants. I can't seem to remember to water them. Now, before you get all worried about Vito, I do remember to feed and water him as he won't let you forget. But the previous plants have not faired so well. Until now, my tomatoes are blooming, Yay! Very exciting, now if only the peppers would step it up a bit.

On the knitting front, new projects have been started. But I am saving that for tomorrow!

I have gotten a few questions about my sock toes so I thought I would share my secret to shallow less pointy toes. I prefer to knit most of my socks toe up, for many reasons. Mostly because I can knit until I run out of yarn. I start with casting on 12 stitches al la the Turkish Cast On (24 stitches total). Then I increase as follows,  kfb* of the second stitch from the edge (increasing 4 stitches per round) until there are 48 st total. Then do the increase round every other round (so just knit a round in between the increase rounds) until you have the desired # of stitches. I usually go for about 60/64 stitches, but that depends on the yarn and pattern.

I think it is pretty easy to change a a cuff down sock pattern to toe up. By reading over the pattern a few times. It usually involves figuring out the stitch pattern, casting on your toe and going for it.  Such as my jaywalkers or even the Pomatomas socks. Hope this helps you!

A really update is coming soon.....

*“knit front and back”