i’ve been holding my breath, waiting to see if the poppies would bloom at the usual time—everything else was late coming in this year and i expected these would be too (they usually bloom a day or two before memorial day).
i had pretty much given up, due to the chilly, rainy, and dark week we’ve had, when last night as i pulled out of the garage, there was the first one, opened up in the most perfect way. it was red.
and this morning, these lovely pinks joined it if i stand there long enough, i can watch them open, one after the other.
around the corner a sea of cranesbill blossoms crowds the dye bed, but we don’t mind . . .
more and more sprouts are joining the ranks of the up and coming—today i see squashlets and beanlets
and the berries—wow (everything is the most amazing green right now, too)
these aren’t even close to being ready to eat this weekend, but theya re still awfully pretty . .
as with the other day i have no knitting i can share; plus, we’re having company for the weekend so i won’t be back to blog til tuesday (i KNOW!)
but i have something else to share that i think you’ll like—a little surprise to tide us over . . .
a new book, knit, swirl! by sandra mciver
in this book, ms. mciver explores variations on a single architectural theme—the sweater constructed from a single circular piece.
the book begins with the simplest welted versions
including this luscious one in mink/cashmere from our friend craig at great northern yarns
where the virtues of gorgeous fiber are shown off to great advantage.
there is a section for tips and techniques to help you understand and navigate the unique construction.
patterns include both written and charted instructions
though for the most part, the stitchwork involved is not complicated.
mciver explores a variety of fiber combinations as well as the effects of self-striping and hand-dyed colorways
as well as variations on edgings and finishes to set each style off.
there are a few styles with some openwork, too
for the most part though, the stitchwork does have to be such that it has an attractive reverse side; thus the simplicity in the motifs.
all in all, this is an interesting foray into a unique sweater architecture that some of you may want to try.
now here’s the holiday celebration part: i have an extra copy of knit, swirl! to send one lucky reader. if you would like to be in the running to win it, please leave a comment at the end of this post by 9pm EST on monday, may 30th. i’ll announce the winner on tuesday morning, when i’m back at my desk.
368 thoughts on “holiday weekend”
Ooo your poppies are lovely!!
The book looks beautiful. 🙂
Beautiful flowers! That books looks fabulous, too!
I’d love to win this book – that mink and cashmere jacket just looks to die for!
what an interesting book! thanks for the giveaway…and thank you also for the breath of spring…loved the poppies especially…cheers!
I love poppies!! that swirl book is great.
Beautiful garden, beautiful book! Of course I would love to have it in my hot little hands!!
Love the photos of the poppy! Beautiful!
I saw the book the other day and thought the patterns were very intriguing. Thanks for a chance to win it!
I have drooling over the prospect of that book for some time now! They are kind of related, aren’t they- the swirl jacket and a poppy, looking rather different when they are flattened out!
What an inspirational blog posting!
Happy Holiday to you as well. I have a red poppy patch I call my garden of Oz. Lovely lovely lovely. thanks for sharing your pics and the offer of the swirl jacket book, so clever and intriguing. Liz
What a beautiful post!! The book, knit, swirl! by sandra mciver, is intriguing. I love the idea and am excited by the seemingly endless possibilities. Thanks for featuring it. Nydia
I made the Travelling Sweater last year. As I was knitting it, I wondered if you could make it from the center out instead of going around — and here’s the answer. So cool … and lovely poppies too!
I would love a copy of this book, the sweaters look like a perfect project!
I’d love to knit some of these sweaters. It is a style that looks great on everybody! Thanks for sharing.
I love your garden, thanks for sharing. I also love that book.
So pretty. I recently made a very simple circle shrug for the shop. The shape is alway attractive, I’d like to explore it some more.
I just saw this book the other day. I would love to own a copy!
lucky you to have had rain! we have some flowers but nothing else will come up. the book looks good too. lucky us you’re sharing
.
I would love to win this book! I’ve been thinking about a circular sweater for some time now. …and your poppies are gorgeous!
The book is lovely. I loved the poppies.
Put me in for a chance.
These sweaters would look great on several family members.
I’ve been eyeing this book since I saw it on Knitter’s Review. I think it offers an interesting take on jacket architecture – would love to win it! Thanks for the opportunity.
Hi. I just found your blog and it is wonderful. Thanks!
Thanks for the chance to get an interesting book. You always have such great things to share on your blog, it’s a pleasure to read.!!! Love it!!!
It is so much fun to explore your garden from a distance! Lovely poppies, gorgeous color (and the book doesn’t seem so bad either….)
I love your poppies, the contrast between the deep, dark centres and the delicate petals is what makes them so beautiful.
That looks like a lovely book, I’m into exploring this type of constuction at the moment and I have a STR Travelling sweater on the needles – to be finished for next winter
The book looks beautiful and interesting – like your garden.
Beautiful!!!
Beautiful garden shots as always, Anne.
I have been seeing this book all over the place it seems over the past couple of days and it is intriguing. I would love if you picked my name.
The book looks wonderful. I’ve had the pinwheel jacket in my queue for ages. It’s always appealed to me.
I would be intrested to find out if this style works for short and round women too.. and get myself over my fear of knitting sweaters!
happy holiday! How wonderful to have the poppies to help with the celebration! And, of course, I want to be entered in the drawing. Thanks!
I have a love affair with poppies! LOVE the swirl coats!
The swirl jackets look very flattering! I also like how creative you could get.
Love these sweaters. Definitely going to have to try my hand at one. Thanks!
These types of sweaters always look so snuggly.. what a fantastic collection!
I’m seeing this book all over the blogosphere- very intriguing. All fingers and toes crossed that my number comes up.
Oh, those poppies are gorgeous! I’ve never grown poppies. That sweater looks intriguing!
A circular sweater construction is so interesting! Lots of inspiration in the book.
Love the poppies – I may have to try growing some. I have been wondering about that book, I didn’t realize it had so many variations in it.
This is my first glimpse of this book, and it looks really interesting. I’ve been tempted by a bunch of the circularly constructed sweaters, but have never taken the plunge.
Gorgeous patterns! I thought I had my favorite one picked out, until I scrolled down and decided that they’re all my favorite!
Interesting book idea… swirl sweaters fascinate me. And I love the way they work with multicolor yarns.
Wow – those poppies are gorgeous! I hope I win, I have some lovely handspun that I’d like to use for one of those patterns!
What a fun book! The poppies are beautiful!
You’re garden is so lovely! Thank you for offering your extra book too!
The minute I was the pictures in this book, I knew I had to have a copy. Hoping, Hoping!
Your poppies are beautiful. A route we traveled through SC often years ago had poppies between the highway lanes. It was an amazing sight! We may be going that direction soon, hope they’re still blooming.
And that book! Would love to understand and knit something like that. They are all very pretty.
Enjoy your weekend. The weather is suppose to be g.r.e.a.t for a change!
What amazing creativity in those sweaters! And what amazing flowers! I love poppies, but haven’t enough sunshine in the yard to grow them. Thanks for sharing the pics of yours!!
What pretty poppies! Very interesting book.
Comments are closed.