spring snow crabapple

The "spring snow" crabapple tree blossoms looked especially beautiful  against the bright blue Colorado sky this morning.

Such cheerful blooms!

This tree is centered on the little patch we call our "front yard."  It shades the house from the afternoon sun all summmer long.  Songbirds often nest within its branches.

And this year we'll be enjoying our newly paved street, along with the new sidewalks and curbs put down last Fall.  (An entire neighborhood perk due to living across the street from a squeaky wheel.)

color

I photographed the Alma Ella Shawl that my BKFF Shannon knit and couldn't help but notice just how colorful my recent pictures have been.  Top ~ the "orange assassin bug" colorway and below a daffodil freshly picked from our garden.

irish kate

I stopped by My Sister Knits for some needles last Thursday afternoon and saw a sample of the smaller-sized Kate Shawl spread out on the table.  The active texture and startling lace changes made it a real eye-catcher!

I came back home and researched the pattern on Ravelry.  I've learned (the hard way) that it's important to read available knitter's notes and check out pictures on their project pages before commiting to buying a pattern.  What fun to find out that this is an interpretive design based on the character "Katherina" in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.  Designer: Kristi Schueler.  I liked everything I read and saw.

I knit the smaller-sized version with Pagewood Farm Glacier Bay (100% merino fingering); 3ply/extreme twist makes it their "baddest"; (Ireland colorway); knit on US#7 circulars; 364 yards.  (That last sentence was carefully constructed just for you, Sander!)

So I cast on Thursday afternoon and had the shawl blocking by Sunday afternoon. Like a good book, I just couldn't put it down. The charts jumped from one fun lace section to another. The outer edge is knit sideways, attaching to the body every other row by ssk.

Meanwhile, the Orange Assassin Bug Skinny Bugga! arrived today and is it o  r  a  n  g  e !!! 

knitted me together

Two of our teachers are expecting their babies within the next few weeks.  We're giving them a combined baby shower after school today!

The little toothpick knitting swatches decorated the envelopes nicely.  Ribbons are discretely covering names for the pictures :)

Handwritten inside each gift card:

"For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)