Friday, March 27, 2009

4" = 20 Hours






It's rather depressing to think that a simple piece of lace knitting, The Ribbon Scarf from Knitty.com could be causing me such grief. After all, approx. 37,000 people on Ravelry all swear that it was so easy that they multi-tasked while doing things like designing rockets that went to the moon and cooking dinner.

Me? The only explanation I have is that rogue Vipers, distraught that Battlestar Galactic is finally over, (wait, there's a movie! see it from the Cylon's point of view!), just happened to be over my house when they let go with their death rays hitting me in the brain as I was knitting this scarf. This caused a crucial part of my brain to die causing me to be unable to knit lace. That or I've had a massive stroke recently and haven't noticed until now. Come to think of it that explains a lot....

(It's amazing what you can do with 10 minutes, colored pencils, and a degree in art - it's rather embarrassing.)

In the meantime, I'm regrowing my brain as fast as I can and working on other projects...that aren't working out. First off: let's not even get into my recent sewing adventures. I think I have a handle on the problem(s) so move on. Nothing to see here.

I'm close to wrapping up Dakota but have hit the wall with short rows around the neck. I think I now understand. Oh yeah, right. The only thing that has really been working knit wise for me is yet another mitered hanging dishtowel from Mason-Dixon. I am seriously in love with this pattern. I sent this up to my cousin who lives in Parry Sound, Ontario. No one is safe from hand knits. No One.

Eye Candy Friday

Spring is finally here and the garden is showing it. Today I spend a great deal of time standing in our pond ripping out roots, dead leaves, and things I don't want to think about. Ponds move towards silting up and ours was getting closer than I liked. That I do this in my underwear only adds to the fun. Yes, the fish come over and nibble on me. It tickles. Thankfully, this is a job that only happens every few years.

We don't really live in an area that camellias are fond of but several came with the house so I try and make them comfortable. They have survived and every spring reward me with beautiful flowers.

The previous owner was also very fond of grape hyacinths. I kind of like them too.

I took the cover off the cold frame. Lettuce anyone? The beets are getting bigger. I love beets.

Our meadow, green for a couple of months then back to summer brown. I know, people who live back east or up in Canada think we have it backwards.

Friday, March 13, 2009

PURPLE


Very


The Purple Wonder is at last finished. Well, I'll finish off the sleeves when I meet up with The Enabler in June for the Phoenix Sew-In. I am pleased with the fit. For a very simple pattern it required a lot of finishing to get it into shape. The pattern I chose for the panels pulled up so the bottom edge scalloped a bit. I did a simple crocheted chain stitch to smooth the bottom out so it looks more like a design feature and not an error. I thought the sleeves were huge as written so I made them a lot smaller which I liked but had some issues with getting them sewn in. I also did a chain stitch around the neck opening to stabilize it.
The pattern is "Sonnet" from Kitty.com done in Cascade Superwash 220 in the colorway "Plum" (805). I think I did it on 5's and used 5.25 skeins. I can't quite remember. I loved the yarn but it did stretch quite a lot with washing and blocking. Tossing it into a cool dryer helped bring things back in shape but the sleeve length went from 21" to 25". They were cast on provisionally so that can be adjusted. And there I was worrying that they would end up too short. My friend, The Purple Loving Gorilla. Please admire her new, very cool kitchen counters and in the background, the new tile installed by the TPLG and her adoring husband. It's pretty darn gorgeous.


I am almost ready to do the final part of the back of Dakota. I'm using Elsebeth Lavold silky wool and liking it a lot. The color is reminding me of many a bowl of split pea dahl I've had in the past.
My friend Katrina came for a few days and wanted a new project. We fell in love with the somewhat retro looking hanging dish towels from the latest Mason-Dixon. We have had a lot of practice making mitered squares (think the never ending baby blanket - so many seams!) so these are going to be a piece of cake.

I bought some fabric for capri and coordinating vests.
My brother David and his wife came over Sat. and I made a cake. Isn't it pretty?


After a very dry winter the skies opened up.


The dam at Lake Wildwood just a couple of miles down the road. One doesn't often see a standing wave there.


The road leading to the softball field at our local park (where hubby lives in the summer, coming home only for meals and to sleep). It occasionally goes under water but I've never seen it like this.


The creek was very impressive. Omar says, "Take me home, take me home now." Katrina says, "Way cool! Look at all the ducks!"


Spring is coming and the daffodils are blooming.



































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