we are drowning.
well okay, maybe not drowning, but wow, we’ve had a LOT of rain this week. i wanted to get out to plant seeds in the garden when i got home from san diego, but it’s been a no-go so far, which is one reason we haven’t had a garden post in a while.
(the plants i bought sunday are lovin’ it; they were singing show tunes about rain when i went out to take pictures . . . i hope they feel the same once they’re planted in the ground).
maybe later today . . . the sun has been out for a whole five minutes just now and if that keeps up, i could work outside for a while after i finish my pattern this afternoon.
all of the perennials are showing off their best stuff right now—it’s that time of year when the leaves are new and bright and full, unscathed by slugs and dryness. epimedium are so gratifying to grow—they just get better every year and come in so many interesting varieties.
obviously, i like things with weird coloring and the added benefit of having them is that brighter plants light up the dark areas of the yard, even on a dreary day like this (or maybe especially on a day like this).
the huechera are busting out this year with their best displays ever (i have four or five different varieties out there). i think they’ve finally matured into the “fully mounding” plants they are supposed to be (i love how plant labels tell us that stuff, but not how long it will take a plant to achieve it).
there is a LOT of green too, don’t get me wrong, haha. i try to break it up as much as possible without it looking like a circus out there, but the hostas dominate at least one area of the back yard and i like that.
my plan to encourage the strawberries to spread outside the garden and take over our [so-called] lawn seems to be working—they have multiplied well on “the other side of the fence” and it looks like we can expect a nice little crop of fruit.
so that’s the garden today—so much bigger than the last time we visited it.
are you ready for the cuteness? not yet?
okay, we’ll look at some blocking shots first, because i know you like those, too. i finally finished campanula and yesterday, while it rained, i blocked it.
really, this cashmere lace yarn from great northern yarns is so beautiful; incredibly well-behaved and well-engineered. when i soaked it, all the spinning oil came out and it bloomed a bit and turned soft as a dove.
it is not a cashmere yarn that turns limp and lifeless when wet-blocked; it keeps its shape perfectly well and continues to show that fabulous stitch definition that makes this pattern pop. truly luxurious.
readers sometimes ask me how i use blocking wires; i think they can seem awkward when you are new to them. the answer is—patience. using the wires is not really faster than pinning; there is quite a bit of setup time involved (which i happen to enjoy).
i thread the wires in and out of each row along the sides of the piece, which in this case are garter edges with alternating purl bumps, which makes working with a piece in very fine yarn a little easier.
after pinning out a center point on each of the four sides, i just measure from the edge of the carpet to get one straight edge, then i pin out the others based on that one. i’m not really super picky about getting it perfect; life is too short. eyeballing the overall result works pretty well for me (but then, i’ve been measuring things for a living most of my life; i should have well-developed skills. hecklers, have at it).
it takes even very fine cashmere yarn a long time to dry and with the chilly, wet weather, the wait seemd interminable. but finally this morning it was ready. i unpinned the gossamer thing from its mooring on the floor and gave it a whirl on the dress form (and a few other places around the house).
it drapes into the most luscious folds
not the collapsing kind that get flat after a minute or two, but nice rounded ones that hold their shape, surrounding the form with lovely curls of pure softness and light
it has luxurious substance and yet
it is sheer as a veil.
hopefully we’ll get some nice modeling shots before friday; i’m trying to decide which pattern to release first, the port ludlow sock or this scarf . . . let me know which you want.
okay, need a little break after that? maybe a cigarette?
cuz i’ve got cuteness for you and i want you to be totally ready (we’ll wait).
are you ready?
maybe you need a little ramp-up . . .
the hat i’m knitting to match the sweater is on the needles. i didn’t get all that far because it was very late last night when i started. i spent most of last evening finishing the sweater and this morning i sprang out of bed so i could block it (well, “sprang” might be an exaggeration, but i was excited).
i decided a little steam blocking would be just right—even though this is knit in one piece, i was able to lay it flat enough, one part at a time, to block the openwork areas.
it still needs the underarm seams to be stitched up; i’ll do those this evening. i left the garter areas mostly alone, except for the collar
after it was all steamed and looking pretty, it looked even better than i’d been imagining it
it needed buttons though, so i took out my myriad button boxes to see if i had something on hand. i don’t want buttons that compete too much with the textured fabric.
i found these, which i like a lot because they’re simple and they are a perfect match for one of the colors in the yarn. i’ve had them since the year one; i don’t even remember where they came from, but that’s the point of keeping a button box, right?
at this angle i like them a lot, with the light illuminating them. they seem plenty fancy and they glide very easily in and out of the buttonholes (important when performing this trick on a wriggling baby).
my other choice is very cute, but i hesitate—these perl grey bee buttons would be murder for a busy parent to fuss with (and maybe too textured for the fabric). on the other hand, they do lend a certain humor to the sweater and if i go with a honeycomb-ish name, they’ll be perfect. so i may use them just for photography in the end.
i dunno, what do you think? are these too plain? i love that they add a very straightforward touch to this jacket, like it’s saying: “yeah, i’m wearing lace, but don’t even think you can mess with me”.
but i digress; let’s get back to the cuteness—i WUV this thing!
it’s just what i wanted; now i have to think of a good name . . .
i’m working on the pattern and when i’m done, it has to go to tana for sizing and tech editing and after her, it has to be test knit. so it’ll be a little while before it’s published, but hopefully, not too long.
99 thoughts on “ready for cuteness overload?”
They are absolutely perfect buttons….there is enough pattern in the garment already and these buttons are great, in my humble opinion.
Plain buttons, not bees. Perfect.
PLEASE release the Campanula scarf first. (I already have the yarn from Great Northern ready to go!) Then the baby sweater/hat/booties set. Then the socks. Besides, the blanket is already released, so it would complete the layette set.
All the patterns!
I’ve been admiring the Port Ludlow socks ever since you first gave us a glimpse of them and have some yarn just waiting for the pattern, but I must admit, I love Campanula too! I’d vote for the socks first, but I’ll end up buying both patterns (and I’m having company next week anyway which means no knitting for me!) so I guess the release order really doesn’t matter!
I’m voting for the plain buttons (even though you know how much I love bees!)
Sock, please!!!! Just because you got some sunshine today?! Geeze, not down south here!!!
And they just said thunderstorms for Friday and Saturday – but warmer. Hmmm, not sure if that’s a good deal or not. Not like there’s a choice involved anyway.
I guess the baby’s need to be warm. And that sweater is too sweeet!! No babies to knit for now, but if one shows up…
Campanula first, definitely! I can barely wait!
Love the baby sweater! How many skeins did it take? (It’s hard to tell what size it is from the photos). I’d vote for the simpler, pale yellow buttons, much more practical and less of a choking/snagging hazard, I think. I love the collared look – I would wear that sweater!
Beautiful everything!
Socks first, please.
I’m voting for the scarf – it’s beautiful!
The scarf is to die for but I also like the socks. I say both patterns too. The baby sweater is adorable. Just started the Cradle Me blanket using Woobu. On the garter border but almost ready to start pattern.
ALL of these are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the first time I’ve ever left a blog comment and it’s to beg for the port ludlow pattern! I have the yarn ready and desperately want to knit something “springy” since the weather here in boston is cold and rainy. I’m ready for summer!!
Those bee buttons are too cute! What is your opinion on snaps? Or using a backing button and buttoning it in reverse? I agree they’d be a pain to use but they’re so cute it’s almost worth it. Though, as the mother of 2 young ones, I have to say that I almost look for “difficult” buttons these days since I have more trouble keeping handknit sweaters closed than buttoning them in the first place. My buttonholes need some work…
I’ve been *dying* for campanula ever since the first teaser a few weeks ago!
And the baby jacket is adorable — I just love it! And the simple buttons are just right – the adorable bee buttons would compete too much with the pattern and texture of the jacket.
So, so cute!!! I can’t wait to knit up a little baby jacket. I’m in the simpler buttons camp, though the others are lovely, too.
Double release, Anne! Don’t make us wait for one or the other. Socks and scarf.
The baby jacket is precious. Love the plain buttons. They really allow the pattern to shine.
Oh me, I’m jealous of your plants, ugh. (tee hee)…your scarf looks like a dream, I may have to do one and the baby coat is adorable. I like the name Iwovit…LOL Just love your blog! 🙂
I vote for socks and scarf – we’re slave drivers!! You just have to tone down the beauty of your work and we’ll stop drooling and demanding!! (HA)
That baby sweater is gorgeous!! I love the yellow/green buttons – the bees are cute, but as a mom of four, I’m here to say that simple is better when they are very young.
I’m of the plain button camp also; I’ve found that in addition to being hard to fasten the fancy ones don’t always withstand the frequent washings. As for socks vs. scarf, they’re both wonderful, but I’ve been waiting for the socks since I first saw them. Love the baby sweater, BTW.
oooooh that campanula is so luscious, anne. and of course i cannot wait to make the baby sweater for my new great nephew! buttons? too hard to choose between form and function!!
Love the garden pics, love the baby sweater, it’s so unique, but LOVE LOVE LOVE Campanula, have been admiring it all along, but finished, it’s incredible!
The baby sweater is just darling. I wuv it too. I think I’d pick the plain buttons because I’d want to save the bees for some project where the bees really pop. Or maybe it’s just I’m a plain person? he he he. The Campanula is really gorgeous. It must be all Craig’s microns at work that make it such a luscious fabric!
I love the baby sweater, with the plain buttons. I would be so happy if someday there were an adult version.
Bee-utiful patterns and sweater, oh brilliant designer you! I love the bee buttons but practical MaMere/grandmother that I am, I vote for the plain buttons. For my pattern feast request, please pass the Port Ludlow Socks.
Please release the scarf first!!
I’m waiting for the scarf pattern, also (have the yarn!) And, to me, the plain buttons sound so much easier for a squirmy child’s sweater.
I wish I had a baby to knit for. The sweater is awesome. Who knew you were a baby sweater designer too.
If that isn’t the sweetest little sweater….plain buttons because the pattern is beautiful enough and your eyes focus on that; the hell with the baby in it!
Campanula first please – I’ll look at the gorgeous photos while waiting…
Absolutely gorgeous sweater….and I like the plain buttons best. I’m usually not into the novelty buttons.
The sweater is so adorable! The plain buttons look wonderful and easy to put on.
Plain buttons, all the way. The bees are adorable, but definitely not the best choice for baby wear.
You are right; So cute!
Love love love the baby sweater and vote for the plain buttons. I think the bees are adorable, but as you said, hard to button on a squirmy baby, and I think they would detract from the beautiful stitch patter of the sweater. Any chance that you would release this wonderful sweater for toddler sizes?
Thanks for another great design–I will wait patiently for the pattern!
Campanula is beautiful, and I love the baby jacket. But I can’t wait to make the Port Ludlow socks!
Vote: plain buttons
Vote: Campanula – please!!
(Tomorrow starts the Colourmart Ravelry contest – I’ve got the perfect Colourmart Cashmere for Campanula, but I need to cast on for a scarf or stole this weekend, I’ll have lots of travel knitting time starting on Sunday. I’ll go with Campanula if the pattern is available, otherwise…well, I dunno!)
I prefer the plain buttons over the bees (which are adorable). Great color!
The sweater is just tooooo cute–love it and can hardly wait for the pattern. I adore the pear green yarn too. So much fresher than blue, pink, yellow and the other obvious suspects. The bee buttons are adorable but I think the plain buttons suit the sweater better.
So by now you know I love everything you design, but you also know how I love lace so I would vote for the Campanula for what its worth. HOWEVER, I’m loving the Port Ludlow sock (I need that beautiful yarn)and now I find myself looking all around for a baby!! All great designs!
Anne, I love your blog and check it every day. I vote for the plain buttons and the Campanula. The baby sweater is great and I can hardly wait to see the hat. I love the cashmere lace yarn. I live in Canada and wonder if there any comparable yarns I might be able to purchase here. Crossing the border can be really expensive.
The scarf is stunning, but I’m more of a sock girl, myself!
I’m all for the simple buttons. I have three little ones and I can tell you I’d prefer the round buttons. Aesthetically and functionally I prefer the simple buttons.
yay, i’m so excited for this scarf! i vote for it because i want to knit it nowwwwww, but i’ll definitely be queuing the socks as well. 🙂 and the jacket is darn cute!
I vote for the scarf and the “plain” buttons. That is one scarf I definitely want to knit. Gorgeous! (And the sweater’s cute, too. 🙂 )
I think you have named the baby jacket – the WUV jacket – and I’m waiting for the pattern – it is stunning – I want one for my very old self.
I’m jonesing for the Port Ludlow. And I agree with Fran: WUV Jacket is a great name!
Please release the Port Ludlow socks first. The weather has been so chilly & gloomy that it would be wonderful to knit some cheery socks!
Must. Have. Baby. Sweater. Pattern. Cannot. Wait!
Plain buttons are perfect! I have knitted too many sweaters for my granddaughters with all sorts of cute buttons……. the parents fumble with them endlessly!
What a wonderful blog post Anne! Bits of something for everyone! The scarf is incredible, and I’ll have to get some of that yarn of course. The buttons are a perfect match for the sweater. I think the other buttons are adorable, but as you say, maybe not as practical. Take care!
Kathy-Kansas City
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