I’m still knitting on the Lily swatch. It is still beautiful. I am getting the “stupid bobble thing” down, so by the time I actually start the shawl, it should be smooth sailing. It is a nice, simple little pattern. I think it has the potential to be a relaxing knit.

In other news, I’ve been thinking about how I want to make the girls’ back to school backpacks, and I’m really excited about what I’ve come up with. Hopefully this week, I can get out to my LYS and pick up some more colors of the Lamb’s Pride worsted weight. There is a shop close to me that has some fabulous colors in stock. I’m planning on doing bright stripes, and lots of them. They are going to be knapsack style, with a large flap and buttons. I’m stressing about it a little bit, because you can’t frog something after it’s been felted, and I’m coming up with this one from scratch. No pattern.

Nate suggested sewing in a lining, and I’d like it to be removable. Earlier this year, Abby came home with a soggy goldfish cracker mess in the bottom of her backpack. I’d hate to clean that out of a felted bag. Still, a removable, washable lining adds complexity to something I don’t want to be complex, so we’ll see if it actually happens.

And finally, I may be starting some beautiful socks soon. My neighbor Gayle has more yarn than time, and I have more time than money, so we’ve worked out a little deal. I’ll knit her a pair of socks out of her gorgeous yarn, and I can knit one for me too!