Still here

It is pretty hard to keep a knitting blog when there hasn't been a lot of knitting going on. I have done about 2 rows on my Kimono Top in the last week and a few rounds on the Longbourn socks, both done at the weekly knitting get-together.

So what have I been doing besides knitting? I've been walking a lot more. Big dogs are really good exercise programs. I've been working on a cross-stitch project that I started a couple of years ago. Here's a picture of the kit. I have the shawl done and most of the top of the dress. I'm working on the bottom of the dress now.

I've also been drawing a bit. I used to draw some and I am sort of decent at it, but I've only been sketching a little bit. I got a new book on painting fairies and mermaids and I've been wanting to work on my drawing skills a bit, possibly working up to watercolors. I've been sketching hands and faces and butterfly wings. (I may post some pictures as soon as I get some. Lighting is awful today.)

I had originally wanted to finish the Kimono Top for the Sheep and Wool (less than two weeks now!), but it's probably not going to happen. Too much else has sidetracked me. Anyone else have way too many competing interests?

WIP

The back of the Kimono Top is pretty much finished. Since it's a three-needle bind-off, it's still on a cord with the yarn still attached, so I have the option of adding a little more to the length if needed. I'm casting on for the fronts and plan to work on them simultaneously.

(I know it's a pretty lousy picture, but you try getting a decent picture with a very exuberant 20-pound puppy who likes to chew anything and everything!) I'm hoping to finish the top soon as I really want to wear it to the Maryland Sheep and Wool (is it really only less than a month away!?)

Pretty much the same with this picture:

I've made it to the heel. The pattern calls for a short-row heel, but I much prefer the way heel flaps fit my foot, so that's what I've done. I love everything else about the pattern though.

And here's a rare picture, Sammy actually asleep: