I know, I know. I've been a really, really, REALLY bad blogger. You know what it was? The winter. No sun,no light, and consequently no opportunities for fun photography. Without good pictures to share, what fun is it to blog?
So, I survived the long winter, my first back in Minnesota in four years and spring is here. I'd forgotten just how fantastic spring feels after a long winter - and how quickly everything starts to green up again. It's been just wonderful to take the dog on walks, open the windows, sit out on the porch....
Like my chairs? Another great dumpster rescue mission!
Chris and I have been dreaming about a house of our own lately and have started the enormous process to make that dream a reality. Nothing really to report at this time other than the anticipation of an eventful summer ahead.
It seems high time for a peek into my knitting bag - I toted all of my new yarns and projects out on to the porch for a little photo session this morning and I just love how complimentary everything is together:
Unfortunately, wearing this many handknits together might be a tad overwhelming.
These yarns are destined to become three future projects: that bright pink tweed in the bottom of the frame was purchased with Kat Coyle's Ardent Jacket in mind. I'm really excited about this yarn - it's Jo Sharp Silkroad DK tweed, and I've been lusting after it for ages - this color in particular. It's a bit washed out in this picture, but I've noticed lately that it is the exact same shade as a crabapple tree in bloom - that wonderfully rich, deep fuchsia.
The gold yarn came from the sale loft at Depth of Field Yarn in Minneapolis - it's Gems Pearl, and it was one heckuva bargain (see how quickly the Minnesotan in me comes back!?) - I had an idea for it when I bought it, realized that it wouldn't work well, and now I've got no specific plans. It probably wants to be lace, and something like a shawl, but I'm not sure yet - I've got lots of it, this could be really fun.
And the purple hand-painted yarn, came from the Shepherd's Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival a few weeks ago. No real plans for this yet either, but my pal, Kim bought the other two pretty skeins that this vendor had and we're thinking about a knit-along of some sort. Some other highlights from the Wool Fest:
Learning to use a drop spindle to make yarn - fun, but I wasn't hooked. (thanks Michael for the photo!)
Cashmere goats - where it all begins....
These guys were LOUD!
And finally, a peek at what's on the needles. I've got a few finished projects from the winter that I need to photograph and post - good stuff all around (but I'm enjoying a lazy week off and I still have bed head - so, no modeling for me just yet).
Aprés Surf Hoodie, coming along.
I surprised myself with this choice a little - it's not something I'd normally knit, but Ravelry convinced me - everyone who makes it looks fantastic in it, which cannot be said for all patterns, and, I love knitting lace, so it had to be done. Check out the finished look on the Interweave Knits Preview. I was really clipping along and the numbers for the shaping were all spot on and then something inexplicable happened and now they're off. I'm trying to decide if I care - if it's off, it's only going to be by about a half of a centimeter, so it's not THAT big of a deal. (So, I probably don't care.)
And, the Kiri Shawl has re-emerged:
Kiri, squashed up.
I thought I'd screwed up the stitch pattern on this and in a fit of frustration, I stuffed it into this Walker bag and forgot about it all winter. Then, I was looking for something easy to knit on and pulled it out again to see how bad my error was. Turns out, nothing was off at all - it looked great, so I figured out where I'd left off and started up again. I love the steely grey and though it looks like a mess now, when this is blocked, it's going to be fantastic:
Kiri, about halfway there.
So, that's the latest. I'm going to grab a homemade granola bar (yes, it really is worth it to make your own) and head back out to the porch to see what project speaks to me today.
