Ahh... Spring.

It has been so nice and, well, Spring-like the last few days. I'm not holding my breath, this is Calgary after all. But for now I'm enjoying the weather. I might even wash my car! (We need the precipitation that will surely come quickly on the heels of me washing my car).

To celebrate the impending Spring, I have progress to show on my Prairie Tunic:

I'm about half way to the shaping at the top of the back. It is going fairly quickly, but it gets a bit boring. I was thinking about it the other day, as I purled across the row on those US 3's, maybe the "Prairie" in the name has to do with the work ethic it's going to take to stick with this... (I mentioned how I haven't ever finished a tank top, right? And how I've never knit a garment for an adult on US 3's, right?)

I have a sock-in-progress:

Very exciting, huh? Oatmeal colored, partially knit sock. Whee. Kickin' it up here at Yes I MADE that.
(Pattern: Cable Rib Socks from the Spring 05 IWK; Yarn: Phildar Preface in color "Naturel")

This sock-in-progress has been sitting, in exactly this condition, beside my computer for over a week. Patiently waiting for a heel. And waiting. And waiting. (I started the heel a few minutes ago.) These should be finished in time for my favorite time of year: When it is warm enough that I don't EVER NEED SOCKS!!! Next winter. There is always next winter.

I would love to tell you that I have been focussed on the Prairie Tunic, devoting my attention to it and it alone. I can't lie to you. You're my friends. Friends don't lie to each other. Friends might not mention certain things in order to spare a friend's feelings, but that doesn't really apply here...

the color is really washed out in that picture. I couldn't get it to show true for some reason. It's a much more saturated jewel-tone green.
The bottom lace band for Knitty's Soleil. I went to the LYS on the weekend for bamboo US 3's to knit the Prairie Tunic (my metal needles were far too slidey.)(what? that's totally a word.) and I wandered around for a bit. I didn't mean to. Really, I didn't. But, they had new summery yarns in. Like the Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy that you see above. Sigh.

I'm knitting this with smaller needles, as the yarn is a bit finer than the yarn called for in the pattern. I cast on for the size (or two, I can't really remember at the moment) bigger than I would have if I was using the yarn called for. It seems to be working out so far. I did an extra repeat of the lace pattern also, so that it would have a bit more length, since my gauge is smaller.

Finally, I just want to say THANK YOU for all of your kind comments about the Cable Front Cardigan (and, frankly, for those of you who comment frequently. I'm trying to be a better comment-responder...)! I am trying to make my way to each of your blogs to see what you are all up to and say Hi, but in the mean time, I wanted you to know that I really appreciated all the comments! You make a blogger/knitter/knitblogger proud!