Coming up roses (a knitting post... honest!)

You might not think it, but I have been knitting.

I realized the other day that, since I cast off the Garden Gate socks (June 1), I had no socks on the needles. I'd caked up my Vanellope yarn before Chicago, but I never got a chance to cast on. So I rectified that little situation on the weekend

 

 Just a simple three-one rib - a nice contrast to the other thing I've cast on for...

A brand new shawl design. It took a few false starts, but I've finally got it going the way I want it to. The shaping is based on the shaping in Auburn Wave.

It's hard to see, but there are little beads winking about in there. They are almost the same shade as the peachy tone of the yarn, but they will show a lot better on blocking. I wanted to use some gold beads for a little more contrast, but I'm trying to use up stuff  in the stash and I didn't have quite enough, so peach it was.

This pattern is going to be part of an e-book project I'm working on - I'll share details at a later date,  but I'm using Solo Cat and the colour is Gilded Rose. 

And speaking of roses

The pink ones are even more magnificent in full bloom. And the white ones have gone crazy

That's five blooms on one stem with more buds ready to burst open. Here's a full view of the two bushes - I can't wait to see what they are going to do next year when they are more established!

And you may notice something small at the bottom of that photo

It's a half-dead mini rose from Dad's garden that I'm trying to save. I'm not holding out much hope - I killed the mini rose I bought last year  - but we'll see what happens.

And to those who were amazed that the cats don't chase the rabbits.... well Tux and Peno could care less. But Rocky.... Rocky does chase them. But only after a good long while spent crouched in pounce position, wiggling his butt. And the second he moves that bunny is gone.