skip to main |
skip to sidebar
I'm still cruising along on the Casapinka test knit. It's getting bigger, but I'll spare you a picture. Let's just say I've moved past the one skein version and am working on the larger size.
Yesterday while I was knitting away on this shawl, I started thinking about my next project. It's always good to have a strategy in place. I realized, much to my dismay, that June is almost gone. Since I have a project deadline in mid-July, I decided I should probably move that to the top of the queue.
I had a couple patterns in mind, but after a quick spin around Ravelry I completely reversed course. What was going to be a one color, one skein project has morphed into something a little more involved. Now there are two colors and three skeins in play. This small, quick project has become a little more elaborate.
I narrowed my color options down to three different combinations but hit a bit of a snag. My daughter weighed in, and this is where I landed.
Of course I didn't have the colors available in the base I wanted, so I also had to do a quick dye run. Now that my next project is settled, I'm focused again on the test knit.
This week's color inspiration . . .
Sunshine.
This morning I made an early trip to the airport. Whenever I make that run in the wee hours, I always debate whether or not I should go back to bed. Today I decided to tough it out and get a jump start on my work day.
Instead of snoozing, I churned out a big pile of labels. Sometimes I can be productive when my brain is in a fog.
The test knit is coming right along, and it's still entertaining.
I'll be knitting this afternoon . . . after I finish the labels.
Late last week my priority knitting took a bit of a turn with a test knit.
This was my weekend knitting. I'm working my way through a Casapinka design. I've knit several of her patterns before, and they're always fun. This one is no exception.
The rest of the weekend was spent celebrating my birthday . . . lunch one day, dinner the next. When it falls on a weekend, you can spread out the fun over a couple days.
There was cake.
And pie. I made the pie - actually two of them. What else do you do with fresh strawberries and rhubarb?
This project is the knitting equivalent of paint by number.
Nakarra Wrap.
I was never any good at paint by number (staying inside the lines can be very challenging and stressful), but this design has a similar feel with specific colors for each little box. This project uses mosaic knitting, so there's only one color in play on any given row. It's so much fun to watch the pattern unfold . . . and easier than paint by number.
Last weekend I took a stroll through the Museum of Fine Arts with my daughter, and I came away full of inspiration. This linocut from Picasso is this week's color inspiration.
Brilliant red and yellow.
I have a plan in place for my summer knitting projects, but I seem to have gone off on a tangent.
This is one of the them.
This little project isn't on my list, but I started it the other day because it seemed like a good idea.
Apparently the longer daylight has tricked me into thinking I suddenly have more knitting time. I know that's not true. And if I had any bonus time, I should do the sensible thing. I should organize my chaotic household because that's actually on my to-do list. I'll get to the cleaning and the tidying . . . after I knit a few more rounds.
Happy Summer Solstice!
Longer daylight and a relaxed schedule . . . summer must be here. I guess it's not official until Wednesday, but it's definitely hit the dye pots.
A taste of summer.
I have two active projects right now if you don't count the sock that's under construction. I've been pretty focused on my Starting Point, but the other day I decided to mix it up, so I bounced over to the other project.
It turns out Portland Sequence has a lot in common with Starting Point.
More stripes. I can't seem to get enough of them.
Our farmers' market opened this week, and I'm thrilled. All I need to do is add rhubarb to this week's color inspiration.
Ready for pie.
New project ideas are always simmering, so when the week gets crazy, I take one off the burner for further inspection.
This project has been nagging me for a few days, so this morning I pulled several colors. It's a start. I'll have to do some tweaking, but for now it's simmering again. It's part of the process.
Every once in a while I declare a knitting day, and yesterday was one of those days. On Saturday I had a long, lovely day at Squam, so I was ready to unplug and take a day off. No work, no email, no cooking. I did a quick tidy in the kitchen and took the dog out, but that was it.
If I'd been more virtuous, I would have woven in some of these ends.
Note that I have another set of ends identical to this colorful mess. That's a lot of weaving in, and I haven't even finished the project yet.
But I wasn't virtuous. Instead I knit my way through the day and made a few more ends along the way.
Starting Point MKAL. The final clue for this project was released the other day. I'm playing catch-up, and I'm curious how all of this is going to come together. Today I'm still behind, but this was the perfect project for a day off. Miles of striped garter with a bit of eyelet thrown in for good measure.
Tomorrow when I head to Squam, I'll have a new sample along for the ride.
That Nice Stitch . . . the multi-colored version. This cowl is almost finished. All it needs is a quick Kitchener followed by a bath and a little blocking. I've put together bundles with different color options. This little project is perfect for summertime knitting.
By the way if you're in the area, you should take a drive to Squam too. You won't be disappointed.
We've had our share of rainy days lately, and this week's color inspiration is a reflection of that.
Gray with green edging.
Fresh off the needles . . .
Spring Rain Cowl.
I was working on this project a little bit here, a little bit there. Before I knew it, I had enough little bits, and it was time to bind off.
This cowl gradually gets larger toward the bottom and has lovely drape. The pattern is easy to memorize, so it makes a good on-the-go project.
The yarn is Bertha Sport, colorway Pond Scum. All it takes is one skein.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the Squam Spring Art Fair is this coming Saturday, and I'll be vending. This event is free and open to the public. Check it out if you're in the area.
After a busy weekend in Maine, I thought I would take it easy today, but that's not going to happen. Household duties call. Putting together a good cup of coffee this morning was a struggle, so grocery shopping has moved to the top of the list.
Here are a few shots from the weekend.
There was used equipment and vintage knitting magazines and patterns.
Good thing I didn't have time to poke around.
And of course there were animals.
The weather cooperated, the food was exceptional, the conversations and connections were inspiring . . . a delightful weekend all around.
I like to think I don't have a favorite color. Deep down I don't think I really do, but it appears I've been playing favorites with my socks.
My spring cleaning mojo is still intact, so the other day I turned in on my handknits and washed 13 pairs of socks. As I was folding them, I noticed a reoccurring color theme.
Green. Six pairs of green socks. Surely I can do better than that. The next time I start a pair of socks, I'll have to make a conscious effort to pick something other than green.
This week's color inspiration . . .
I never tire of this red-orange mix.
