Bobble and Twist Hood

This was a super fun pattern! If I were to make it again, I would make the cabled brim out of a thinner yarn (it is super bulky on 6.5 mm needles). Even with the tight gauge, it comes out long and wide and overwhelms my small head. I'll definitely be wearing it, though. I might add a bobble onto the back and the sides of the brim, as pictured in the pattern.

Gauge ruler

The Black Squirrel has the best notions and such. Even if I don't buy yarn when I go in, I almost always get some little accessories. This one's a wooden gauge ruler, which makes it much easier to make sure to count how many stitches and rows you're creating per inch/cm. If you're creating more or less than the pattern calls for, your garment will end up larger or smaller than intended!

Snapdragons and hollyhocks

I like to plant snapdragons in memory of a previous dog, Cinnamon Snapdragon. These are looking beautiful.

Hollyhocks are among my favorite flowers. They're showy, come in many colors, and, like me, thrive in lots of sunshine. This is the "nigra" variety - such a dark reddish purple that they're almost black.

Broiler chicks update

They are about six weeks old now. They have progressed from the metal tub, to a small enclosed pen, and now to the larger pen surrounding it. They were quick to explore as soon as I propped the door open and are already working on consuming the weeds.

Six weeks to go!

Pearla Lace Shawl #2

I love fancy, lacy crescent-shaped shawls. I made a Pearla Lace Shawl last year for my sister, and wanted a second one for myself.

These photos don't really do it justice.

I went ahead and cast on the Kryptonite lace shawl from the same designer, then set that aside while I knock out some faster, bulky weight projects.

Happy chickens

The broiler chicks are 3 weeks old now. I tipped their metal tank onto its side so that it still provides shelter from the wind, but they can make use of the entire "coop."

The adults got a fresh layer of straw in their run.

Finally, I put up a flier advertising my eggs for sale by my front door. My sister drew it for me. It's super cute!

Baby chicks!

Got a box of peepers in the mail! They're so dang cute. Five of these are male Black Australorps. The other twenty-six are male "all heavies," so I can't identify them. All are looking good except one who has a bum left leg. He can move it but can't get it underneath him. He may not survive because he has trouble getting around. Everyone else will be butchered in three months.

In the shipping box.

Transferred to metal pen.

SO CUTE