blue

Posted on Posted in designing, lace/shawls, projects

yesterday i got an email from frogdancer that made me take pause; she said:

Your photos of the garden really bring home just how dramatic the arrival of Spring is over there. It seems like 5 minutes ago you were half-buried in snow and icicles, and now you’re looking at tulips

“wow, i thought, it sure seems like spring is taking it’s own sweet slow time in getting here.”
(and let’s be perfectly clear—we’re not looking at tulip flowers or anything; it’s just the tips of the leaves coming up. but i get your point.)

everything is relative, right? it’s true that spring is being a big tease this year, dancing a tantalizing burlesque that leaves me panting at her feet for mercy. just when i think i can’t take any more, she gives me this

lilac leaf buds.
in just the shade of green that i adore.
and that’s more than some people have. i know there is still snow on the ground elsewhere, and i’m really grateful for every tender, tentative little shoot i see.
including the ones that i thought were the bleeding hearts but apparently are actually columbine (thanks heidi, thanks teyani).

anyhow, since it’s a brilliantly sunny day and warm (ish), i headed out the door with the knits for the first plein-air photoshoot of the season (i am completely sick and tired of my indoor backdrops).

last night i worked on the pear-and-trellis scarf and finally it seems to have some length and substance happening.

it’s past the one-third point and now i’m really psyched.
oh, and BTW, i know how it looks, you guys. everyone has been very polite about this piece and not said anything about it. i think i keep posting photos of it in progress just to show off how homely lace can be when it’s growing.

now, that is no reflection on the yarn at all (it is pure heaven on a string, i swear), or the stitch pattern itself—they are more than fab. but the fabric??
it looks like a badly-conceived rag at best—am i right?

well, blocking day for this one is drawing near and i think that will change everything about this piece. personally, i have an affection for it beyond reason.

i keep picturing it floating around the neckline of a v-neck sweater, or as the only accessory with a gray tweed skirt and sweater, or in summer, i could wear it with this dress, to ward off the chill of the air conditioning in a restaurant.
(don’t i have an incredible fantasy life?? for one thing, we never eat out, and though a good gray tweed skirt and sweater would be perfect for my wardrobe, far be it from me to actually shop for that outfit).

i’m noticing a theme in my knitting this week—i’m working a lot with blues.
particularly, these glowing, turquoise-ey-green blues. i think they must have a cheerful factor that i craved. and it’s working . . . when i look at these colors i do feel better.

i got some more knitting done on the new sock and now i’m ready to show it off a little. the colorway is just amazing—it glows, in fact. it looks the way a stream of light does when it passes underwater. it totally lives up to its name.

this sock makes me so happy that i sorta laugh a little every time i look at it.
i swatched a bunch of stitches for it but i ended up choosing seaweed stitch, even though i’ve seen it used before. there was no denying it—it was the most perfect one. i paired it with a twisted rib that looks like bubbles rising up, and am now searching through my library of slip-stitches for something good to use on the heel flap.

not that i want to make a them park out of the sock—it won’t have embossed dolphins or anything—i’m just trying to exploit the great colors and light in the yarn and its perfectly apt name to their full advantage.

now here’s another blue project that i’m just beginning. it’s a new shawl design that i want to keep simple, but pretty—very doable. i have this gorgeous lanas puras laceweight yarn

in the twilight colorway. i’m thinking evening sky, maybe stars, something elegant. but i had to walk away from it yesterday—i am wracking my brain for a good edging to go with a field stitch i like and nothing seems to mesh. so i’m taking a few days off let my head air out a bit.

yes, i think it’s about time i got my bike out . . . it’s been dismal weather for bike riding the last few months, but this weekend it’s just too nice to stay in the whole time, even for knitting.

21 thoughts on “blue

  1. i have to say that i’m really beginning to realize how lucky i am in california, there’s always green here. but right now i’m loving your blue yarns!

  2. I thought those whorls yesterday looked just like my columbine that’s in the same stage of growth! Can’t even begin to say how happy I am to see temperatures Springlike!

  3. I never judge lace before it’s blocked. That’d be like… like…
    Like judging the Spring before it blooms.
    Right now it may be only bit’s of hosta, buds on trees, or tiny shoots of some unknown something (that’s not bleeding hearts) rising from the ground…
    But it’ll be here, in all it’s glory, soon enough… and when it does it’ll be beautiful.
    Just like your lace.

  4. Like Kathleen, I never comment on lace before it’s blocked. But I can bet a lot of money that it’s going to be beautiful! Btw, Casino is blocking!

  5. I really like the lace scarf. I can tell it will look better when its blocked but its not exactly hideous right now.

    I noticed the Elderflower tree outside my window started budding last week and then today the small flowery buds have started to fall.

    We haven’t had much snow but we have had a lot of rain here (South West England) and the last 3 days have been boiling hot, yet we are expecting hail tomorrow. I took a risk today and planted out loads of new things so hopefully the frosts are done.

  6. You are worlds ahead of me on the Spring front…but I am so enjoying your pictures.

    Hmm…the new sock….scrumptious!

  7. I’m crazy for that sock pattern, Anne. I was trying to do a version of this same idea with Obstacles, using some BR Legend in blues and greens. I’ve been way-laid on progress on it, but I love it. The blues, the flow – so cleansing. Perfect for spring. I’ll begin to pad my wallet now… Oh and hey – are you thinking KIT or should we be ordering the yarn now?

  8. I jumped and squealed! What a nice way to begin the last day of the school holidays. It’s going to go downhill for a while after this (correcing year 12 essays) but hopefully I’ll get some knitting in by the afternoon.

    Love the socks. Especially the rib part.

  9. We still have snow banks that are waist-high here in eastern Ontario. But today is a glorious day and it’s melting considerably. Hopefully our buds and tips will make an appearance soon… In the meantime I’ll enjoy yours, so keep posting!

    I’m in love with the aqua blue of that lace. And I have full confidence that the blocking will yield miraculous results. Just the name of that pattern is enticing!

  10. oh, it is lovely this weekend! and so nice to finally begin seeing so much daylight. i do like the pear and trellis scarf, even without seeing it blocked – actually, i think i’ve been tempted by every new little lace thing you’ve been waving at us this past week or two – but i’ve been afraid to say anything for fear you’d think i was abandoning the shawl in favor of startitis. never fear – the edging began last night!

  11. I love these socks! I’d be thrilled to test knit them too… if that’s still a job that’s open… They’re marvelous!!!

  12. Oh, we all know the magic you work with lace. The butterfly will emerge. I love the sock, the color, everything. Have you thought about the Mexican themed shawl at all lately? I keep thinking about it!

  13. I’m envious of you and your spring! it’s fall here and each day gets crisper and colder as winter approaches, soon it shall be cold, I guess I should get cracking on my winter warmies right?

  14. The lace shawl will be real pretty after blocking, I can see the promise it hides !
    I love all those blues, they remind me so much of summer and small Greek Isles….hmmm…..

  15. The new sock is looking great! I’m also looking forward to seeing what you come up with for the lanas puras. Love that yarn!

  16. I’m a sucker for blues.

    My fantasy life lives in my stash. The beginning of the fantasy is that I have time and mental space enough to knit the potential in there.

  17. Oooh pretty. I’m particularly struck by the sock since I’m also in the middle of a sparkling ocean blue phase. If only I could indulge it with the trip to the Caribbean that it really is craving. Still, that sock would be a very nice stand in for a week on the beach. And would avoid the second degree burns I’d probably end up with if I tried to spend a week on a beach.

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