I’m now at the point of the blanket where I don’t see as much progress from month to month. The bigger it gets, the less of a difference a square a day makes in the size. This is my favorite scrappy blanket yet.

I don’t have any socks on the needles at the moment. I thought it would be a good idea to remind you that the Christmas in July sock KAL starts on Wednesday. If you find yourself wanting to make Christmas socks and never get around to it this is the KAL for you.

I would like to knit two pairs, but I’ll be happy if I finish one. We will be moving this summer, and we still need to find a new house. I am sure I’ll be spending a lot of July packing and cleaning. There might not be much time for knitting.

I was planning on sending out Christmas progress keepers for everyone who finished Christmas socks in July, but that will not be happening as there is too much going on right now. I will still be sending our pride stitch markers, so if you have finished socks I’ll be asking for your mailing address soon.

We are still using the craft tote. I haven’t been very good at taking pictures. This week we made soap, sewed monsters (I did most of the stitching for Elliot), painted faces twice, painted with water colors, and made nature paint (mix up flour, water, dish soap and add dirt, grass, and other nature items in the yard to create different colors and textures).

This week I hope to try a craft other than knitting, just to branch out a bit. We shall see if it actually happens.

I’m thankful for a patio big enough to accommodate at least three knitters while socially distancing. I’m thankful Jess and Ivy both like Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. I’m thankful we all agree that Jacinda Ardern is amazing. I’m thankful that Ivy’s mom made us masks covered with wine openers, because she knew they would be perfect for us.

I’m thankful that Kirsten will be in Iowa to camp next weekend. I’m thankful for s’mores. I’m thankful that Kirsten’s camping list included 3 kinds of drinks, even though our weekend involves 5 kids, covered bridges, and a knitting store.

I’m thankful for good friends that socially distance, wear masks, and make me laugh. I’m thankful for the new Ben Folds song. I’m thankful for the friends I’ve made in Blogville. I’m thankful it is John’s turn to get up with the kids tomorrow.

I’m on the first sleeve! I am knitting full length sleeves, so I’m trying it on to make adjustments on decreases and using stitch markers to keep track so I can just mirror the decreases on the second sleeve easily. I hope to be on the next sleeve next week, but life is pretty crazy right now so I’m not knitting as much.

If you are knitting an Arachne I look forward to reading your update.

The Playground Shawl got some love this week. I was able to knit about an inch on it. I decided to name it the Playground Shawl, because it is a shawl I knit while the kids play. When I have to stop mid row I’ve been dropping down five stitches and changing those stitches to stockinette from garter. This leads to random lines that only I will be able to see. I like them because it will remind me how much knitting I get to do while the kids play. It also makes knitting a lace weight triangle slightly more interesting.

What are you knitting this week?