poised

Posted on Posted in designing, lace/shawls, projects

plants to go into the garden in a couple of weeks are starting to pile up around here—it’s still just a little early to put them in the ground but they are hardening nicely on the sun porch. i need to get some more tomatoes, and my friend kris has pepper and eggplant starts for me to pick up this evening. the garden plot is settling nicely after a few rains. everything is set to go as soon as i get back from next week’s trip.

it would be a good idea to get out there this weekend to sow some greens and lettuce and do some cleanup

the alternating rain and warmth this past week has spurred the growth of massive numbers of weeds as well as plants—it’s looking dreadful out in the back yard, where my shade gardens are. ay, ay, ay, however did that become so overgrown in the space of a week? time to get off my fanny and get to work on that.

my problem is that i enjoy the work of looking after the vegetable patch a lot more than i like keeping the ornamental beds up, though i couldn’t live without them—they are the sanctuary i head for when i take a little break from my desk. i just want them to take care of themselves, heh.

i don’t have a lot to show for my knitting over the last few days. i worked really hard on getting another sweater pattern to the tech editor this week, so daytime knitting was not possible. my goal is to have four sweater patterns into production by june and so far i’m on track, but it means i have to cut back on other projects a bit til then.

i’m thinking about what’s next though, and with summer fast approaching, it would seem we need a very light, airy stole on the needles, don’t you think? i’ve been playing and experimenting with this skein of superfine alpaca lace in the nightingale colorway from kirsten for some time

and, admittedly, struggling a bit to find just the right stitch to show off the color, but that also works with the extremely fine yarn. i’ve spent numerous evenings swatching, but nothing is really pulling together. at first i though that a large, complicated motif would be right, so i tried several of those. most of them just looked confusing and a lot of the detail was lost. i like this one ok, but it isn’t really what i envisioned—too fancy.

and not right, anyway (though i am committed to that edging—i’m totally diggin’ that). what i’m really looking for is a field pattern that evokes air and sky and fresh breezes, not the crown jewels, you know? some other time, maybe.

also, i was finding it very hard to do the stitches, making for extremely slow work—not good when you have sixty or more inches of fabric to knit.

last night i finally backed up and tried something much simpler. i never thought this would work, but i do love it—much closer to the feeling i was going for.

a simple, zigzag motif with pretty stems of yarnover flowers—like little lilies of the valley rustling among their leaves in the breeze. i can practically hear the sound of bare feet swish-swishing through them.

it’s simple and fresh looking, like spring. it’s a little bit like alhambra, with an extra twist—the pattern is easy to memorize and work, nothing too fussy. the fabric is sheer but has enough solid to show off the incredible coloration of the yarn and provide a veil of coverage.

thank goodness—i was starting to worry about my ability to pull this project together. i still may experiment with a couple of similar motifs, but i’m on the right track now, i think.

i’ll be able to put this project on my needles to bring along to california next week—it will make pleasant plane knitting and travel well, being so lightweight and easy to tote.

yes, beckie and i are heading out on tuesday to visit kim in san diego—we are all way too excited; kim has all sorts of fun planned (as if just being near her is not fun enough). while we’re out there we’ll also visit with jocelyn and hopefully, nan, and see the kids and spend time at the ocean . . . and you know how i love blogging from there.
i can’t wait.

in fact, i gotta start putting together some small projects to take along—the sweater i have on the needles is not a good candidate. too bulky and awkward as it grows. and the socks i have going might be done before i leave. well, at least one pair will be

tulip sock #2 is just about ready for toe shaping. i decided to go with the name keukenhof; you know why?? because woolen rabbit kim mentioned that it’s her favorite, which is all the reason i need (plus, the sound of it makes us both giggle, which is the best supporting reason i can think of). she created the beautiful color that reminds us of tulips (and look, tons of new bambino colors as promised), so i’m tickled that she cast the deciding vote.

i’m also zipping along on the david sock, though i might still have enough work on that one to bring with me

we’ll see—i’m not going to carry it all the way across the country if there’s just a toe left to do. of course, there is my traveling holidazed sock that still needs a heel and foot. and i have my white scarf to bring as well, which will be good, but once the keukenhof soks are finished, there will be empty sock needles to fill before monday or maybe a pair of mitts to start (haven’t done any of those in a while).

speaking of socks, lisa sent me some of her new dicentra designs merino superwash sock yarn this week in several gorgeous colorways

this is a completely snuggly tight twist merino yarn, on the less bulky side than some, with incredible softness. lisa, you might remember dyed the yarn i used for alhambra last spring and for the cardigan and lighthouse gansey socks as well. i’m really looking forward to knitting this new sock yarn—i like tight twist yarns but i prefer softer, thinner ones like this. that dark one on the right is SO david, too . . .

gotta get organized. and with that, i think it’s time to end for today.

31 thoughts on “poised

  1. Oh, I am so glad to see that you’re working with Kristine! I love Verb for Keeping Warm’s subtle colorways, they’re perfect for lace. Can’t wait to see more of the stole…

  2. since you said the sock department is in desperate need of increased inventory, i’d guess several of those sock yarns will be trekking across country with you! such fun you should be having!

  3. Oh my – those sock yarns are beautiful!

    And I can’t wait to see the stole – wonderful design.

  4. Ohhh see I love that first swatch, but it is a bit fancier. Hopefully you’ll keep it in mind for the future! 🙂

  5. That lily of the valley-esque lace sure is pretty, and I think that you’re converting me to the way of the stole!! I can’t wait until it’s summer, and I can have real time for knitting (not pretend time for knitting like I have during finals week!!) …
    And again, love those tulip socks, and love the name Keukenhof!! What I particularly like is the Dutch-name flower sock theme that may be starting here … does two constitute a trend?

  6. Have you tried the pattern on the cover of Barbara Walker’s 1st knitting treasury? I has a look of frost fairies, and as I recall, it’s a simple, 4-row with a drip that’s easy to learn. I was struck by the color of the yarn; appropriate for keeping the frost off bare shoulders in a New England cool spring day or summer evening.

    I’m still working on a lily=of-the-valley design; I’m considering dropping the nupps for pearl beads. But no decisions yet. These things take time, just like sprouting gardens. Not sure why the weeds seem so timeless.

    And a note on weeds; I’ve some New England Asters in my flower gardens that started as weeds. But they bloom late, and with copious amounts of compost, their color and look has intensified. They look like they belong in a flower garden, now; lovely blue blossoms in August. I’ve another bed that I’ve incorporated milk weed into, and I’m getting both beautiful pink flowers and Monarchs. It’s made me start reconsidering my notion of a weed; sometimes a pampered weed takes on a whole new glow.

  7. ehh, excuse – that’s “for row drop” not drip.

    That’s what it’s doing outside. Dragged my daffodils down to the dirt.

  8. The blue lace is exquisite. As nice as fingering weight yarn is for lace, sometimes you just can’t beat a fine weight yarn. Sending blue skies your way! I’m hoping to plant the weekend after this, weather permitting.

  9. I LOVE where you’re going with the stole design! I have some lovely light blue-toned laceweight in my stash and have been searching for just such an airy and light design! Looking forward to seeing its development! thanks for sharing!

  10. Oh my – the lace is looking beautiful! Enjoy San Diego. The motto there (or at least when I was growing up there) is “April showers bring May flowers”, not to be upstaged by “June Gloom”, so you’re going at the perfect time.

  11. Anne,
    I really like the edging you have applied to the ice-blue shawl. I am reminded of little kites floating in the sky. Perhaps you should call this shawl – The Kite Runner. I am looking forward to how you are going to handle the corner on this edging. It could almost have a whimsical ruffle, as if a breeze were going through the kites.

    Eleanor

  12. I’m going to buy Keukenhof as soon as it’s available (well it would be rude not to!). The ice-blue is beautiful and may be winging its way into my queue as well.
    And those sock yarns? Yum!

  13. absolutely beautiful lace. lily of the valley, sigh, one of the my favorite flowers. I know that this has been challenging – but something strikes me – that when you are faced with a good challenge, you really knock it out of the park. I dunno, just a guess 😉

  14. The second blue lace swatch is looking really good, and I’m with you on that edging! All of those new yarns look beautiful — I love that pinky/orange color on the left! See you soon 🙂

  15. I think you are onto something with your lace. The second swatch is gorgeous! I may be prejudiced but I like anything that resembles Alhambra. I’m also itching with anticipation about what you’ll do with those sock yarns!

  16. I can totally see the hosta and lily of the valley in that lace. Great contrast of pictures of flowers and lace. Best of luck with everything you have on your plate.

  17. I too like the first swatch — but then I seem to always be drawn to the things that take the most time to complete. The edging is fantastic either way.

    I’m using some AVFKW laceweight right now and it is wonderful stuff so I can’t see what you do with yours regardless of the pattern.

  18. sorry, no knitting comments this morning…just thought you’d appreciate the fact that I’m headed outside (right after I finish reading all my “regular” blogs) with a pot of coffee to put in the veggie garden this morning! The baby plants have been sitting out on the driveway for about a week and a half, and I’ve got the time today, and it’s a beautiful day in SE Michigan, soooo……

  19. I really like the Lily lace. It looks fragile and lovely.

    What yarn are you using for David’s sock? It is great. I think even my hubby (Dave) would wear it and he usually only wears black and white.

  20. WoW – the swatch is beautiful – it’s funny because reading what you were looking for in that swatch – i could really envision it.. You are very very good at this !!

  21. The edging on those stole swatches is GORGEOUS. I hope you work out the body-pattern swiftly, because I am utterly in love with it. It reminds me of seashells washed up on a beach (perfect for summer!).

    Still envying your LotV. Sigh.

  22. it looks like you have a good bit of gardening to do! i know my mom’s already planted some greens, relocated perennials, and has a couple boxes of plants sitting in the backyard waiting for relocation.

    i really like the edging on that lace too! i was thinking how well it would look in a cobweb weight yarn….but we really don’t need to go there!

  23. I love the blue stole swatch. It does make you think of running through the fields. Our trees are just starting to flush, a beautiful sight.

  24. Looking forward to the sweater pattern. I already have the yarn from Chris at Briar Rose. Love the new shawl idea. Can’t wait till it’s finished.

  25. Love the stole pattern swatches—lovely for summer, especially with that lily-of-the-valley theme humming along. And that edging is perfect. Have a wonderful time in San Diego! I’ll try not to be too jealous!

  26. keukenhof = kitchen garden
    just in case you didn’t know (i’m sort of new here so don’t know where you’re from)

  27. yay keukenhof! just saying it makes me happy 🙂 i LOVE the border of the new shawl you’re working on. lovely lovely lovely

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