I have been working on the plain striped socks while on the train and they are coming along nicely. No charts to read or directions to follow. Nice, simple stockinette. But at home it was getting boring so I started The Lily of the Valley socks from Knitpicks. They suggest using their Bare yarn (wool/silk blend) but I am using Patons Kroy Sock (wool/nylon blend). The suggested needle size is 2.75. Now I know I have more than one set of this size but could I find them on Sunday when I wanted to start this pattern? No, of course not. I had to run out to the craft store and find some. They are Susan Bates and only come in sets of 4 so I had to buy 2 sets. Now I have 8. I will probably never lose one again. I tried this pattern about a year ago and got disgusted with it and put it in time out. For some reason, it felt right to pull it out and try again. I think a smaller size needle would be better but I'll keep on using these for now. They do give it a nice, lacey feel and look to them. They'll be light enough for air conditioned summer offices. I also chose not to do 5 stitch nupps but did the 3 stitch ones instead. I just didn't like the bumpiness.

And look! I think my spinning is getting a little better. There are still a few thin spots but overall, it's more even. And I am not overspinning it as much. This is Romney, hand carded and dyed by the lys near here. It's fuzzy. We have a long weekend coming up so after I get my tests on Friday, I've got some time to spend with Saraspunda. For my mother's day gift from PK, I am going to join a fiber of the month club instead of just buying a bunch of roving. That way I get gifts for a few months and I'll get to try bits of different materials to see which I like best.

It's raining here, again. We are coming up to our first "summer" weekend. It's always odd because summer doesn't begin for another month. The weather is supposed to clear up and be a little warmer. Memorial Day always meant swimming to me as a kid and thousands of people will make their way to the Jersey shore for the weekend that kicks off the summer. The water will be bone chilling cold and I'm not sure it will be warm enough to sit on the beach but it won't matter. People will be there on their blankets and with their beach chairs. I will probably spend the weekend cleaning, shopping and finally getting out the summer clothes. They are still in the attic because the temperatures have not been warm enough to make me want to take them out and wash them. I don't think we've ever gone this late. No complaints here, though. I know how hot it will get soon and I am in no hurry to get there. A little sun would be nice, though.