Knitting

Drapey Knit Scarf

June 18, 2014 Amy7 Comments

I thought about titling this post something profound-like “The Prodigal”. I contemplated going into detail about why it’s been almost a year since I posted here. I considered it, but then I thought, “You know what? Nobody really cares. If they missed me, they’ll just be glad to see me again. If they’re new-they didn’t know to miss me.” Clarity at last. So then I thought about the last 10 months or so – all the things I’ve done, places I’ve been. What am I really most proud of? Easy! I’m most proud that I finished this. This DK yarn on small needles drapey knit scarf. I did it. It took me over three grindingly boring months, but I did it! Yay me!

I can’t tell you the origin of the pattern. I found it in a local yarn store. They had made copies on plain white paper with no picture. Just a few lines of instruction and the title “Drapey Knit Scarf”. They had an example laying next to it, and I thought “I can do this.” So it began. Three skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and a desire to see it through to the end.

I would go for weeks without touching it. I finished several other projects along the way. There were times when I thought it would probably be the last item I would ever knit. I just don’t seem to have the attention span for something I seem to do so slowly! Even after I finished it, it took me about three weeks to make myself block it. But you know what? I like it. I think it’s awesome. Completely by accident, it’s my daughter’s school color-a delightful and unexpected bonus. Yes, I like this drapey knit scarf. I like it very much.

Crochet

Shades of Summer

July 8, 2013 Amy4 Comments

What colors speak to you in summer tones? I see summer in shades of the sea. I’m not sure why. I live in a place far from the shore where humidity hangs heavy in the 100 degree heat. It seems more probable that my summer palette might be something more akin to orange and red, but it’s not. Cool blues and greens define summer to me.

I couldn’t pick between a scarf and a shawl. So why not both? Maybe calling it a “wrap” is more apt?

I used Catania again. Clearly, we’re in a relationship. I just love the stitch definition that comes from mercerized cotton, and the array of colors available with Catania allow me to indulge in color play.

I’ve struggled creatively over the last several months. Sometimes, when you feel stretched, it’s difficult to indulge yourself in pursuits that require additional self-discipline. Luckily, this pattern and I are old friends, and we were in no hurry.

Knitting

Scrub-a-dub dub, baby!

July 4, 2013 Amy2 Comments

Mundane? Yes.

Plain? Never!

No two are alike. No, it’s true. I love the juicy enthusiasm of that orange cotton. I love it so much that I couldn’t stop with just one- so the second one was a little different. More knit stitch-less garter. It jacked my stack. The negative impact to the glorious uniformity I sought is a little painful for me to behold…but that’s life isn’t it. Sometimes you have to let go of uniform perfection and just follow your bliss. And if bliss takes the form of chain knitting seven different painfully simple dish cloths because your brain is fried and you just can’t deal with any more decisions-even if that decision is simply what to make next? Well, so be it.

They’re pretty and I love them. Not only are they pretty, but they really are better than your run of the mill terry dish cloth. They do a bang up job. I know this isn’t exactly a newsflash for anyone, but you know how it is. You read lots of stuff about how old school domestic products really are better, you try a few, and then you face facts that although you may feel better about them, they don’t actually work better. You know what I mean? If we’re honest with ourselves, we know Mr. Clean Tub and Tile really does work better than vinegar or baking soda or bleach water. It is what it is. But these sweet babies put our old dish cloth to shame!

Scrub-a-dub dub, baby!

Chicken Mission · Gardening · General

Stuff and Nonsense…

April 7, 2013 Amy2 Comments

These two make me want to start singing “Sisters” from White Christmas….I’m going to do it, “Sisters! Sisters! There were never such devoted sisters….” Minerva on the left is definitely Rosemary Clooney. I love the was she’s staring down her schnoz at Vera Allen, I mean Jennie Weasley.

These two just want some more grass clippings. You’ll note Buffy has saved a tiny piece for later.

A tree blew down during a storm last week. It was dead and we were actually pricing having it taken down when thunder storms eliminated the issue for us. Blessedly, the storm was traveling in a rare southerly direction, thereby preserving the fence you see behind it.

That’s not the only miracle either-you’ll note that not one, but two of my children are playing outside. Playing! Outside!

I tried to coax this one to model my Keyhole scarf-he was not pleased. Looking back with the clarity of hindsight, I’ve had better ideas.

You see that? That’s a weed. The picture is pretty, but the weed is not. It has stickers in addition to the little flowers and it is vining through my dwarf azaleas in a way that is not ok. Weeds, we have lots of them…

We also have lots of these. At the moment this picture was taken, this sweet little Live Oak Seed pod was still attached. I don’t think any of them are attached anymore and they’re covering every square inch of the place with their polleny presence. I don’t think “polleny” is a word, but I’m going to pretend it is.

And just when you think you can’t stand the pollen any more-not even one more minute…

You remember…that pollen, it has a purpose.

Craftapalooza! · Crochet

Behold, my Garter!

March 27, 2013 Amy5 Comments

New can be fun. It’s exciting to accomplish something that you weren’t able to do previously. It can also be difficult…frustrating…awkward…tedious. I’ve introduced a lot of new into my life as of late. Some of it voluntary. Some of it involuntary. Today, I’d like to talk about some of my voluntary newness!

Behold, the Garter Stitch! Totally new!

Behold the “keyhole” and the oh-so-lacy ruffle!

Behold, me knitting! I’ve been on Craftsy again (of course). The class is called Knit Lab. The instructor, Stefanie Japel, is pretty cool. I love the format, and she’s a natural teacher. It wasn’t easy for me, however. The sticks have been a challenge. They feel awkward compared to the a crochet hook. And it takes for-ev-er….I’ll press on, however. It’s bound to feel natural eventually. Right?

Craftapalooza!