Oh, wow!

Have you seen these? 

I will definitely be buying the Fall issue of Interweave Knits - just for these Alpen Socken.  The challenge will be worth the purchase.  Yes!! 

A knitter's process

A couple of weeks ago, I received a lovely little cake of alpaca sock yarn - thank you, Betty.  The colors are so bright and vibrant; they reminded me of flowers.

I was thinking of a lace design which might look like petunias or, maybe, fuschias.  I know there's a Harebell lace pattern somewhere in my many books but I couldn't find it quick enough.  Besides, I'm kind of off designing for the moment.  There are so many wonderful designs out in world, that I decided to go looking for the perfect pattern.  I knew it would be out there - and Ravelry didn't disappoint.

As I was searching, up popped this pattern:  Sweetpea by Melissa  Morgan - Oakes.  What could be more perfect for this yarn?  Look how at home the sock is in the sweet peas.   It will bring back summer every time they're worn. 

Evidence

Guess who came to dinner last night?

This morning I noticed these prints on the glass patio table. 

Yup, definitely raccoons.   The chairs are mud-printed, too, so maybe they've been watching us?   Our next-door neighbors have a pond where they can wash the veg they steal from our garden.  A table and chairs? - just the next logical step.

Ruby Tuesday

At first I thought this photo would be all grays.  Our recent rain was more like fog that was full of heavy mist that soaked everything right through.

This giant fir seemed to loom through the fog.   But, wait!  The framing trees are mountain ash and the berries are beginning to ripen and turn red. I kind of like the color and b/w effect.

For more Ruby Tuesday photos, visit Mary T here.  There's lots more red to see.