the toad lilies have actually been open now for about a week; a little later than last year. i never notice exactly when they do open since this is the time when the garden does not bear close inspection (at least, not by me—by now i’ve let a lot go out there and it’s better not to look too closely . . .). anyway, it’s such a still morning i thought i might get some nice crisp photos.
i don’t have a lot of different knitting to offer today; i’ve been completely focused on getting the stole done. i’m past the three-quarter mark and that always has me tasting the finish line.
80-ish rows to go, and i can block it. yay.
i’m thrilled because the other day, it was about eight rows long
(you can see it in the bag there, yikes).
the colors are really similar to the toad lilies, i think
i love how the pattern pulls and make frosting ripples (i was and addict for the old betty crocker commercials—as a young baker i strove to replicate that lady’s frosting technique, to my mom’s great amusement. ok, i admit it—i still do . . . ).
anyway, i like that photo because all the chocolately-plummy variations appear so well, mmm (darn it, now all i can think about is chocolate cake, and i’m not sure i have time to make one).
i did start my second lace sock, but i haven’t gotten very far. i decided i should write the pattern and then knit it to see if it works.
but i wanna finish the stole too. it’s always a balancing act.
the other day i went with debby and susie to see the women (sorry, that’s a flash thingy there with audio . . ).
i wasn’t sure i’d like it, being a very big fan of the 1939 george cukor original, based on the play by claire booth luce
the remake is completely updated and while it sticks to the basic premise and plotline of the original, there is no pretension there that life hasn’t changed dramatically in the years between the two versions. even if the basic nature of the relationships between characters remains same, the changes in the way we live and use our environment force the film to become a completely different movie—and one i enjoyed.
we’re going to rent the old one (debby and susie have never seen it!!) to watch while we knit some night. it was pretty fun to go to the movies; i can’t even remember when i went last—it’s been several years.
we also did some knitting—we saw film early enough that we had a couple of hours to knit afterward, and i got a bunch done on the stole. funny thing, though; as i was leaving the house to go i went to grab a simple something to knit at the movie and found i had nothing going i could bring. argghh. and no yarn wound that would be just the thing for a simple stockinette sock. believe me, if i had even five extra minutes (which i never do when i have to get somewhere), i would have found some skein or other and wound it.
must correct that situation . . . i have plenty of variegated yarns around here that i probably won’t use for a patterned sock. there is no excuse for not having one on the needles next to where i keep my purse.
also, it’s getting close to the time of year when extra socks will be needed for gifting. so went looking last night to see what i had around
here’s one option that would net me a pair of socks for david. it’s from some black and white brown sheep fleece that debbieKnitter gave me, which i spun up last year. it’s perfect for him. it’s a little short on yardage but i have this very tightly-spun, slightly heavier white longwool yarn for heels, toes, and tops. i could even do a sailor’s rib or a simple pattern with this.
i also could start a plain pair of socks in trekking, ranco, or some other easy-care yarn for the mail carrier’s christmas gift. i’ve gotta look and see what i have that would work, but that’s something i really should get on the needles even if it does take all the way til christmas to finish. at least it will be there.
(note to self: check out mail carrier’s feet for size guesstimate)
don’t think i haven’t forgotten a very important other project.
this is my carrot for when the stole is finished (that’s how i got myself to knit 20 inches of stole in the last few days. bribes are good). i put a working pattern together this morning (not anything anyone else could use; just a series of numbers). i can’t print it for some reason, but as soon as david is available he’ll fix that (it’s been a bit of a “journey” getting to the point where i could run my sweater software on my laptop)(i know you can do this stuff by hand too, but i’m addicted to the software—sue me).
anyway, yeah, i’m hoping to have this on the needles by saturday night, maybe (i’d say morning but i have a buttload of peppers to stuff and more greens to get into the freezer).
i have to get a lot done today and tomorrow because sunday my spinning class and i are heading to the wool gathering in yellow springs for the whole day. we leave at the crack of dawn and won’t get back til night. we’re going to see plenty of people we know—including catherine who has finished her awesome lacewing in an astounding green apple color. we’ll also see tonia, who i’ve never met in person but am looking forward to seeing.
i think the spinners are planning on gorging themselves. i’m going to try to be prudent. all in all, it should be a pretty big day.
which means i should go and do those 80 rows.
22 thoughts on “80 rows to go”
My toad lilies look entirely different than that – tiny little flower right by a leaf. and they’re not out yet – soon, tho.
And the stole is marvelous – I can hardly wait to see it finished.
I’m very interesting in the carrot!
Interested, I mean! AHHHHHH! Why don’t I proofread?!
The Women (original) is one of my favorite movies.
If you can, see if you can find the recording of the Broadway version that was shown on PBS Stage on Screen a few years ago. It was phenomenal.
Someone forwarded me a very, very dangerous recipe. It’s call a coffee mug chocolate cake. You mix it up in a coffee mug and cook it in the microwave. You can have homemade chocolate cake in 10 minutes.
Want me to send or post the recipe?
I love this new stole so much, I don’t remember what it’s to be called, but it is like water to me, and I like it very much. I’m a Scorpio, with Pisces rising, lots of water, and I love knitting things that look like water to me.
And to the poster above, (Zoe) I’ve gotta have this coffee mug cake recipe!!!
Beautiful flowers! I am so excited to see how this stole blocks out. I’ve been checking back and can’t believe how fast you’re knitting it up. Your sweater must be a great carrot.
My mail carrier never gets out of his truck.
I cast on for Hamsa today. I did 7 rows and the messed it up and had to rip. Lace yarn is so delicate! I’ll give it another go later.
The Women (original) is a movie I have to watch every 6 months or so. Just the best! I can’t believe the purple stole is that far along, but won’t it be fun to knit while watching The Women again (i’m being patient!)? Love the toad lilies. I grew up on a lake and the toads I saw weren’t that pretty!! Lovely pics!! Thanks for sharing!!
I’m seeing The Women with a friend tomorrow – probably at the same theater you saw it in! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Yellow Springs, OH? I went to school near there. What a wonderful little town. I remember it (and especially the pine grove in John Bryan State Park) with so much affection.
All this about “frosting ripples” and “carrot” is making me hunger – not only for that coffee mug cake, but for the patterns for both shawl and sweater. Gorgeous, gorgeous yarn for both.
I keep thinking I need to finish the knitting projects I have going before allowing myself to order a shawl pattern, but I doubt I’ll be able to hold off once this pattern hits the shop!
Oh I can NOT wait to see that stole finished. It’s going to be amazing. As all your designs are. Which reminds me I have my Melanzana to finish. If I make it to Rhinebeck I’ll have to wear it. 😉
I love all the purple-y goodness of this post… shawl, sock, sweater… lilies… a perfect purple post indeed! I’m looking forward to this sock pattern.
Please tell Paperdiva (above) to come over to the Knitspot forum on Ravelry and we’ll help her with Hamsa if she needs it. I had to redo the first few rows before I got used to the pattern myself, but it is going fine now.
Oh my! The stole is looking absolutely scrumptious!!
I also have a ton of bell peppers in the garden – exactly how do you stuff yours? Can’t wait for the new stole! I’m seven repeats in to Punch and Judy and love it as well.
Oooh exciting! I’m all curious about the new swatch now too. Whatever can it be??? Pretty yarn too.
Never heard of (or saw) a toad lily before—what fantastic colors! And now that you pointed out the similarity of the stole pattern to frosting swirls (which I also love), I’m afraid it’s going to stick in my mind as the Betty Crocker stole! Have a terrific wool gathering day!
I’m glad that you enjoyed the movie. I loved both the play and the movie, and wasn’t so sure about this update. Unlikely I’m going to have the time to watch it before it comes out on video, but I’m putting it on the list of movies I want to see. Thanks for the review.
the toad lilies are amazing. I’ve never seen those before.
and I must admit that I am still chuckling over the image of you stealing glances at the size of your postman’s feet.. hahaahaha
Anne- The Women is one of the all time classics, and I refuse to see a remake of anything that I know cannot be improved upon.
Hollywood has very few original things, there must be a dearth of original material.
Love the stole, btw.
Those socks are such fun, but I know what you mean about sometimes wanting something simple. Of course, I’m knitting a simple pair now, and find myself wanting something a bit more…you know…swish. Grass/greener/fences, right? 😉
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