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A few weeks ago I finished knitting Catkin. When I made this shawl, I included the buttonholes. Buttons are a nice touch and also a good way to keep your shawl in place. When this came off the needles, I was pressed for time and didn't make an effort to find any buttons.
Fast forward a few weeks. This shawl has been on display at three events and still doesn't have any buttons. Instead I've explained over and over to people that the shawl has buttonholes, but I just haven't found the right buttons. The fact of the matter is I've been really busy and haven't done much looking. I did search my button stash but came up empty-handed. Let's face it - Catkin buttons haven't been a priority.
So this week in the midst of Rhinebeck prep I decided to do something about the Catkin buttons. Because I don't have enough going on already.
I stopped at my favorite local spot for buttons, Gather Here, and came away with these.
I usually allow a lot of time for picking buttons. I want to check all the options and look at them by the window for natural light. After that there's always a certain amount of back and forth as I narrow down the field. It's a process.
This was one of my quickest button buying trips. Being tight on time probably helped expedite the process, but I love the result. The pearly gray is perfect. Next time out Catkin will have buttons.
A couple of weeks ago I was gifted with this bromeliad. Like a semi-solid yarn, the colorful leaves are slightly variegated. My color inspiration for the week.
Shades of pink.
Just in time for weekend travel . . .
Catkin.
This is one of those projects that's been lingering, so it feels good to get it off the needles.
The design is made up of three distinct sections, each with something interesting going on. Slipped stitches play an important part in Catkin, and there is never more than one color in play on any given row. The overall effect is colorful texture.
Catkin offers a fun opportunity to experiment with color combinations - different combinations have different results.
Endless possibilities. I'm tempted to experiment and make another.
The yarn is Dirty Water DyeWorks Lillian.
Colorways Pumice and From The Bog. The pattern includes buttonholes. I made them but so far haven't found the perfect button. Maybe I'll find something this weekend.
The farmers' market is winding down, and the colors are shifting as leafy greens give way to earth tone roots. In a final burst of color the jalapeños provide my color inspiration for the week.
Bold in color and taste.
Every once in a while I take time to tidy up my in progress knitting projects. It's my no knitting left behind campaign. Sometimes I set aside a project because something more important comes up. A knitting emergency like a baby sweater for a shower. Sometimes I set aside a project because I need a break from it. While I have every intention of getting back to it in a day or two, the days turn into weeks turn into . . . well, you know what happens.
For me the biggest hurdle to dealing with these languishing projects is the amount of time it takes to figure out where I am in the pattern. I keep notes, but it takes a while to orient myself to the project again. It takes time to get back in the groove. Once I'm on track, I can't understand why it took me so long to pick up the project again.
The other day I surveyed my projects on the needles, and I don't have many stragglers. I've been very diligent about seeing projects through to completion.
All except for Catkin. I don't remember any more how this one fell out of the rotation. I think it had something to do with a busy travel schedule. I hadn't completely forgotten about it, but it's been on the back burner slowly simmering.
The other day I decided to give Catkin some attention. Not my undivided attention, mind you, because then something else will fall by the wayside. I've been knitting Catkin a little bit every day - some days more than others. It's not difficult or tedious, but it's not a good traveling project. Right now that's its only limitation. After a handful of rows this section will be finished, and I'll move on to the final chart. The momentum is building.
Morning glories - now you see them, now you don't. Morning glory vines creep and crawl and make them a good choice for plant bombing. My color inspiration for the week.
Pink and purple peeking through green.
Feedback. Most companies rely on feedback from their customers. It's a way for them to gauge how their products are received - does it fit well, does it wear well, does it do what it's supposed to do.
In this day and age it's never been easier to give a company feedback. You no longer have to write a letter, dig for a stamp and make a trip to the mailbox. You don't even have to pick up the phone. Simply send the company an email or comment on Facebook and Twitter.
We're always quick to provide feedback when something doesn't work - the toaster doesn't toast, the tea kettle doesn't whistle. In an attempt to resolve the situation we dash off an email to complain. But what about positive feedback when things go right - your order arrived quickly, the customer service representative was friendly and helpful. We rush to complain but often have a harder time saying thanks, you did a good job.
I'm on the receiving end of feedback. There are always problems to resolve, but every once in a while I'll get positive feedback - your colors are gorgeous, thanks for shipping so quickly etc. I appreciate that someone took the time to say keep up the good work. I'm making a concerted effort to give positive feedback when the situation warrants. It's always good to reinforce the positive, and it takes just a minute or two. Think about it the next time you have an opportunity to provide feedback.
It's Memorial Day Weekend here in the States - the kickoff to summer. It's a long weekend for many, and I've seen several discussions on what people are knitting this holiday weekend. Many people have outdoor plans, but if the weather doesn't cooperate, you have to be prepared.
One of the things I'll be working on is Catkin. I'm almost finished with the first section, and then it's on to the buttonholes. I can't decide if I want buttons or not. I've seen it both ways, but I'm undecided. I have a couple of rows to contemplate my decision. Or I'll flip a coin.
As we head into summer my color inspiration for the week is a bowl of tomatoes
Yellowy orange with a hint of green.
