The odds seem to be against me this week in getting photos of the phases I've been working on. I made it to a favorite photo spot just as the sun was going down yesterday to capture this species and another that will be posted tomorrow, only to realize that I left my SD card at home (At least I had tacos to look forward to afterward). This morning before work, it was still too dark by the time I had to leave. This afternoon--- steady rain and dim outside. This leads me to realize that every phase to date has been shot in clear weather, so why not get a couple when it's damp? It's a nice contrast. In any case after a little while of crawling around in the back yard in my raincoat...

Western amethyst laccaria. Not found in my area, but I would love to run across it one day. I don't know what it is, but the purple fungi grab my attention the most. My favorite about this species was the variegation in color of the stalk. I knitted with two strands of different shades to achieve that effect.

This installation was created for my 52 Forms of Fungi project. Check out more phases from this project, here.

I feel like I should state up front: this was not at all an original idea. The Whispers pattern by Veera Valimaki has been floating around in the back of my head, appealing to the part of my brain that regulates "start-itis" since it appeared on Ravelry one day. It's an adorable, feminine pattern that's great for the changing of the seasons (or even summertime, if you use some plant-based fiber). I was sold on the prospect of making one for myself after I saw Cassy's project on Knitthehellout. She used this gorgeous ombre dyed yarn by Black Trillium Fibres on Etsy, and I couldn't stop looking at the FO, it was so pretty. I went online to check out the shop and ended up buying myself a 31st birthday present of the Lilt sock gradient kit in plum and downloaded the pattern. Normally, I'm not one to copycat, but I give Cassy full credit for this brilliant idea and hope that mine turns out half as great as hers did. Truth be told, it's already bound off and waiting for blocking - hopefully I can get some finished photos in the next few weeks!

We're nearing the beginning of Autumn here in Oklahoma, which is music to my ears! Today is supposed to be the last miserably hot day before we get hit with a couple of cold fronts that should keep us in pleasant territory for a while. This means it's hiking season again! I'm excited to get in a little outdoors time this weekend. What are your favorite things to do during the transition of seasons?