To Maryland, Michigan, and back

Last week the hubby and I went on vacation to visit family.  I left before Mr. SpiderKate, so when I arrived in MD I was free to go to a local yarn shop without him! I've often tried to get Mr. SpiderKate to go to yarn shops with me, but usually it ends up in boredom for him and then I end up feeling rushed.  This way I could take all the time in the world! 

My mom and sister picked me up from the airport and after lunch we were off to Fibre Space in Alexandria, VA.  Let me just say that this is a really nice shop and I wished I lived closer to it.  There was a lot of very pretty yarn, so much so that I had trouble on deciding just one.  I ended up with some sock yarn called Studio Sock by Neighborhood Fiber Co. called Studio Sock.  The yarn is 100% superwash merino in color Columbus Cir.  The yarn is a very pretty light blue (think close to sky blue, only slightly darker).  It is very soft and I'm planning on knitting a shawl with it.

Mary's Potato Chip Scarf

While at home I also got my sister knitting again!  Right now she only knows the knit stitch (didn't want to learn the purl stitch yet), but she's doing a really good job at it.  Once she felt confident about the knit stitch (wasn't adding or subtracting stitches anymore - we all know how that goes in the beginning), she was ready to move on to her first real project.  I thought a good first project for her would be the Potato Chip scarf.  I wrote down the pattern for her and away she went!  I haven't made a Potato Chip scarf myself (though it's on my short list of quick/fun projects), but thought it would be a fun first project.  It's interesting enough to not get boring.  And besides, who can resist the way it twirls up! She's knitting her scarf using Spud & Cloe Sweater.

Mary with her Potato Chip Scarf!

Once my mom saw how much fun my sister was having, well she wanted to make one as well!  This made me want to make one as well, but then I came across the Easy Drop Stitch Scarf pattern.  This pattern was definitely calling to me.  I cast on for that scarf and so far I'm loving it.  It is just nice to work on an "easier" pattern sometimes - gives a good break from all the lace knitting.  I started to cast on for this scarf when my mom noticed me using in the long tail cast on.  She was just about to cast on for her Potato Chip scarf and wanted me to teach her the long tail cast on.  I really like the long tail cast on, especially casting on for a short number of stitches - I find it easier to get the right length tail when it's not for too many stitches.  My mom picked it up easily and was off knitting her scarf.

Teaching Mom long tail cast on!

I had a lot of fun in MD visiting my family!  It was really nice to spend some time knitting together and just hanging out.  Highlights of the trip include Fibre Space, walking around the National Harbor, going to Washington D.C. Nationals game, and going to D.C. Cupcakes.  My parents are going to Dallas, TX later this year and I'm looking forward to visiting them when they are out there.  

Me at D.C. Cupcakes!

After our visit in MD, we flew to MI to visit with Mr. SpiderKate's half of the family.  We had a good time out there as well.  We spent part of the time with his dad and Step-mom and the other part with his mom and step-dad.  We were also there during the family reunion and it was really nice to be able to go to that since we haven't been to one in a couple of years.  We will be seeing them again when Mr. SpiderKate's brother gets married in December, so we are looking forward to that!

Easy Drop Stitch Scarf

Oh, did I mention that right before leaving on the trip that I cast on for a new pair of socks? Oh yeah and remember how I just wrote that I cast on for a scarf at my parent's house! I finished two before leaving and then suddenly I'm already back up two projects!  I just can't help myself ;o)