Category: yarn

Spent a good couple hours in the garden this afternoon, weeding, a bit under-sunscreened (I’d applied earlier then gone out to a family thing, and didn’t reapply) and although I don’t burn, I do certainly have a bit more tan on the back of my shoulders! This photo is from June 12 (Tuesday) and trust me when I say that the lettuce there on the left is way bigger now! I harvested a bunch for a big salad tonight.

Everything else seems to be coming along well, the zucchini plants are finally growing more quickly, the beans are flowering, the peas are bushy and cute, and the tomatoes are looking good too. I planted many, many tomato plants (maybe 40?) and my goal is not to have to buy zucchini or tomatoes this summer! Although, I might still if I were to see cool ones at the farmer’s market…

Growing on the needles is the lace nightie from Interweave:

I’m using Alchemy Silken Straw (100% silk) and it’s coming out beautifully. I’m almost done, actually. It looks really, really small at the moment, but I know that since it’s silk and rather loosely knit it’s going to grow and grow once it hits water. Rather counting on it, actually. I’ll be wearing it as a layer over a cami, not as a nightie – it seems quite a bit shorter than the pattern, even though I added in an extra repeat of the lace pattern before binding off in the back.

Finally, some photos. The almost completed Roundabout Tank from Knitting Nature – I think I’m going to block it before I sew the straps down, to see if they grow out any. I already shortened them by quite a bit, but we’ll see. They look a little wonky, too. Everything looks kind of blah right now. The magic of blocking, perhaps?

Anyway. Ten hours at work benedryl (hives from unknown trigger) gin = sleeeeeepy laura.

This morning I just really don’t feel like going out to the garden to water – it’s a five minute walk, but I’m feeling quite lazy about going before work today. I watered twice yesterday with a long soaking in the evening, so I’m thinking it should be okay until I get home from work tonight.

Exciting things at work – I’ve been doing dyeing in the basement, our new dye studio! Yesterday I did a whack of roving and some sock yarn, and today I tackle cotton for the first time. If you’re in the market for some handdyed cotton, stay tuned!

Knitting’s been a little slow around here lately despite (or because of) the trip. Since I’ve gotten back I’ve hardly knit at all! Well, I suppose that’s not really true, but I’ve been feeling the itch to start something new. Question is, what?

Here’s what’s on the needles:

Lace Nightie from Interweave – Haven’t blogged about this one yet (but I did take photos this morning)! I’m using Alchemy Silken Straw and although it looks terribly small at the moment I have faith that it’s going to stretch and stretch once it hits water. I’ve passed the centre back bindoff and am on the back shaping decreases.

Blue Heron Rayon Metallic vest – on hold; I ran out of yarn at the armhole shaping of the right front (with everything else done)

Roundabout tank – just need to attach the straps and block

STR socks – well, socks are always on the needles

Handspun log cabin block – haven’t done anything since I got back

Blue cotton dress – I’ve worn it out once, but the straps need to be taken off, shortened, and backed with fabric before it goes outside again

Balance top-down sweater – still needs buttons, after all this time! I am working on writing up the pattern for sale, in case anyone was wondering

I do have several design projects to work on as well, but I’m just feeling a bit restless with the knitting. I’ve got several (okay, lots) of sweaters planned but don’t feel like I have the mental capacity at the moment to figure out math and stuff.

Maybe I need a super quick project to get me going again. Or maybe I should join Denny’s 7 shawl project – I’ve got one on the needles just started, and some skeins of handspun lace weight and fingering weight that are just waiting to be knit up into pretty shawls.

So much choice – too much choice!