Dogs and Birds

Our back yard has become a little bird haven. I was able to snap some pictures the other day of some new little birds. Lots of chirping going on back there. We've had at least three sets hatch in the last few weeks...probably more that I missed.

"I'M HUNGRY, MOM!!!!"

Kennedy prefers the outside and Riley prefers the AC!

The Great American Aran Afghan

Do you get yourself a birthday gift? YOU SHOULD! This year, I went for The Great American Aran Afghan book and yarn. I'm knitting it out of a sport weight yarn instead of worsted, so I might want to scream before it is all over, but I couldn't resist the Madelinetosh yarn deal I found.

This will be a multi-year project as I plan to do a block a month for 20 blocks. I started with a middle of the road level block. It isn't particularly difficult, but you do have to pay attention and be migraine free! The lovely silk/merino/cashmere blend is like working with heaven.

Green

Loving my porch this year. Most of the inside plants are living out there for the next few months. Every morning the dogs and I go through the process of watering, talking to, and dead-heading them.

We found this old iron piece at a little antique store for cheap. I like to look out for these finds because they can be spray painted for a few dollars and you end up spending 20% of the cost of a new piece.

They really do walk back and forth to the door while I water...so cute!

Central Park Hoodie Update

As I make projects for the Etsy store/orders, design a few things, and test knit, I've also been working on my CPH for fun. Normally, I prefer to knit my sweaters in the round (top-down preferred), but knitting this cable sweater flat is turning out to be very enjoyable. It feels like going back to the roots of knitting. I will admit that the rib/cable drawing in and knitting it out of wool has me looking at the pieces and pondering if my gauge swatch was correct, but I'm sure it will all block out fine.

This is being knitting on US 8 needles (I skipped the US 6 for rib) and is the 40-42 size (I added 4 sts into the design on both front sides to add some extra room). The Cascade 220 Heathers yarn is lovely to work with and is knitting up quickly on the 8s. So far, I have completed the back, left front, and most of the right. I'm hoping to finish at least the sleeves by July 1, if not the entire thing. It is all stash yarn, so I consider that a free project!!!

Crocheted Hats

Sometimes as I knit, I feel like grabbing the crochet hook and zoning out. There is a different rhythm to it, it goes faster, and you get an instant gratification. I received an order for some "matching" hats with a reference picture of something they liked. I changed up the stitch pattern of the hat overall, worked out the math, and came up with these two hats.

I crocheted these on US hook size H with worsted weight yarn. The pattern was my own and exists in my head for now. They are sized at 17 inches around (6-12 month size). The flower is a stacked flower with three layers that I did on auto-pilot. Can't wait to see them on the little ones!

Atalaya

Last weekend, we went to a local art market to walk around and enjoy each other's company before PK had to travel on business. I loved seeing all the girl booths and had to pull myself away before I grabbed up too much! I did pick up a super cute dress for E for Christmas.

It was blazing hot! Our spring in Indiana has been more like, Summer Part I. (Not that I am complaining as I prefer warmer weather.) It has been in the 70s or more since early March, which is very abnormal. It didn't stop us from splitting the oh-so-not good for you but oh-so-yummy pork tenderloin that abounds in IN at any kind of fair.

Our big purchase of the day was a piece of art for the mantle. We love to support up-and-coming artists, especially ones who do something unique. That is how we met Atalaya. She is a "junk fairy," meaning that she was created from recycling old pieces. Isn't she adorable? The use of an old deck of cards to tell her story, which is also creative, is so ingenious.

This particular artist also has an Etsy store that you can all check out: 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/krodenbach

Help Me Celebrate!

Last month was the one year mark for working on Brownie Knits full time! How fast did that fly by?!? May also includes lots of birthdays in my family. So...we have a gift for you, too. Get 10% off your order on our Etsy shop between 5/17/2012 and 6/17/2012. At your check out, enter this coupon code to get your discount:

BK201210

Happy shopping!