• FO: Sheepcote

    Sheepcote

    I finished my Sheepcote! Of course, it’s about 30C too hot to wear it, but I’m sure it’ll see lots of action in the fall. I’ve photographed it with jeans, but I’d definitely wear it over a tank dress or with a nice full skirt. I made size 37 3/4″, and used the same size needles as in the pattern.

    Sheepcote

    For my version, I did a few things differently. I chose a yarn with more drape than the original Green Mountain Spinnery (which is also awesome) – I used Manos silk blend in Juniper (3043) and Nickel (3031). I love this yarn, it’s so soft and luminous! I bought all the skeins in the shop, but I was a bit short on yardage so I had to be a bit creative. I did decide to omit the waist shaping (which would have used less yarn) for a more casual body shape.

    Sheepcote

    I made it a little less blouse-y in the yoke, by working the first decrease round at about half the yoke height, working even for a bit longer before the second decrease round, and working fewer short rows. I was juuuust able to get enough yoke height with the amount of Juniper that I had (I think it was 6 skeins) before starting the contrast ribbed collar.

    Sheepcote

  • State of the Garden, June 27

    garden, June 27

    Things are coming along quite nicely in my container garden! It’s been alternately very rainy and very hot and sunny, so the plants are doing really well. The containers do dry out quickly, but I’m using some moisture control soil and being diligent about watering (sometimes twice) on hot, sunny days.

    peas

    The peas are finally making pods, though because it’s already very hot I don’t expect to see a ton to harvest. That’s okay – I love just eating fresh peas straight off the vine, it’s one of the pleasures of vegetable gardening for me.

    bell pepper

    Tiny bell pepper!

    cucumber

    Slicing cucumbers are starting to get going.

    purple calabash

    Purple calabash tomato – I think. I’m always terrible at labelling my varieties, but they do have a pretty distinctive shape and I have the seed packet.

    tigerellas

    Tigerella. I’m trying to be more aware of the nutrient needs of my containers this year – I need to remember that container soils only have what you add! I did a round of crushed eggshells and coffee grinds for all the tomatoes, and I’ll probably pick up some kelp meal and plant tea soon.

    Matt's wild cherry (I think)

    Matt’s Wild Cherry.

    I wasn’t quite fast enough with my camera to get a better photo of this bee, but I’m glad to see him checking out the tomato flowers. Now I just need to keep the squirrels out of the planters until I can harvest! I had to chase the same squirrel off the balcony three times today, grrr.

    bee!

    It’s a long weekend up here for Canada Day, and I plan to drink iced coffee, quilt, knit, and relax. Have a great weekend, long or not!

    P.S. My pattern sale ends Sunday night (June 30th) – now’s the time to buy if you’ve had your eye on anything! You’ll automatically receive 25% off your purchase of $5 or more when using the Ravelry cart.