Some happiness, with yarn

I have one last Project Spectrum April photo for you. These are birthday tulips from the gang at the bookstore. Oh, aren't they beautiful! I'm excited about the possibilities for Project Spectrum's May color -- green -- because it's not a color I knit with very often, but I'm drawn to all its variations and endless possibilities.

I found a nice, simple stitch for that Brooks Farm Mohair. "Lace Rib" from Barbara Walker's First Treasury fits my requirements: easy to memorize four-row repeat, an open look that will show the yarn's lovely texture, and enough firmness to keep its wild nature under control. I'm knitting it on 4.5mm Brittany birch needles (one of my birthday presents to myself). As I was getting into the groove of this nice stitch, it began to feel very familiar. Had I used it before? What did I make? Why was I so drawn to it? Why was it so easy for me to remember the steps? The answers became clear:

Of course I know this stitch. It's the same one I used for the scarf I made in 2002 with the same Brooks Farm Primero in that lovely soft blue and lavender colorway! The yarn that was the cause of my renewed obsession with knitting! The only yarn I purchased at Rhinebeck that year! For that first scarf I used smaller needles -- probably 3.75mm -- because the fabric is denser. I'd know for sure if I'd kept any sort of records, but that would have meant I was admitting I was obsessed. Not me, no, not at all.

The truth is that the trip to Rhinebeck in 2002, and the purchase of that yarn and the little bit of fiber that came home too (it finally became this scarf in 2005) was the best thing that had happened to me in a long, long time.

So I suppose it's fine that I'm knitting the same stitch in the same yarn. It's just one more step in my journey out from the center.

~:~

This is the yarn I gave myself for my birthday. It's 520 yards of Frog Tree Alpaca Handpaints in Cactus Rose (I tried to find a good link to post, but no luck). Judy and I took a drive to Port Jefferson and a shop called The Knitting Cove. Did I take any pictures, though? That would have made sense, so no, I didn't. It was a beautiful day, we had a ton of fun, and I came home with these two lovely skeins. I'm picturing a small triangular shawl, simple lace pattern...

After a delicious birthday dinner, a cake with yellow flowers on it, the tulips, more tulips, presents galore, friends, and more laughter than I thought possible (wait, that's not true, those screams and hoots are normal for us!) my birthday week is over. It was sweet and fun, and I think I'll do it again next year!

I had one more special birthday treat. My mom left a message for me yesterday, sounding a little upset. It wasn't the case, though. She wanted to wish me a happy birthday. This is momentous on several levels: 1) she remembered; 2) she managed to make the call; and 3) it turns out that she'd orchestrated a complicated flower delivery (more lovely tulips) that apparently involved my nephew B because my sister S wasn't at home at the time (at least I think that's what happened). No matter. I'm touched, and so grateful for my little mother.

Gone, baby, gone

It just had to be done. That Brooks Farm Primero did not like being turned into a garter stitch scarf, even though it would have sported some lovely dropped-stitch do-dads. It scrinched itself up into an accordion-like mess mass, and I knew I'd end up blocking and pinning and stretching and coaxing...not exactly what I had in mind. So, I released the yarn back into its natural state, for the time being. Since I can't share any knitting progress, I'll offer a diversion:

I consoled myself with a visit to my own front yard, where the tulip magnolia has just begun to bloom. You can tell that things are just beginning to green up around here. The oak trees are making me miserable, so it must be spring. But these buds are just glorious, aren't they?

I received a nifty new knitting bag from our Random House rep. She grabbed it at a sales conference, just for me. See the cute yarn logo? I love it -- it stands up, has a zippered pocket inside, and two big pockets on the outside. Guess I can retire the other ratty-looking Random House Freebie bag I've been using lately. Someone cannot get enough of it, it seems. She's given it a going-over more than a few times, and in the middle of the night she snuffles and scratches at it. What's that all about? Does she have a thing for fresh nylon or something?

Thank you for the birthday wishes! I'm trying to stay in a festive and celebratory mood, but it's not easy in a busy work week. I'm taking a vacation day on Friday, though, so I might get in a bit of yarn shopping (Treats for me! Treats for me!). Judy and the R's and the rest of their family are making my b'day dinner, the sweeties. I think I'd like yellow flowers on the cake, girls.

H is for ...

H was so much harder than I thought it would be! H is for...my hands.

My hands are my mother's, my own, my knitting, loving, useful hands. They keep me sane, express my imagination, type these words, accept my benign neglect. If I were ever going to get a tattoo, it would be a tiny one to honor the creating my hands have done -- a spiral or a spider, at the base of my left thumb (not happening any time soon, though).

H is for...hope. As in I hope this reincarnated clapotis works. I got all the way to the decrease section, and I didn't like it. Too wide, too short, not right. I found the outside end of the ball of yarn, cast on from there, and worked until it met the first attempt. I hated that one (too narrow) so I ripped it out and started again. Will it work? I know, I know, it's the process. I like the process. But. How long before I tire of this? How long before I balk at the deadline I've created? My sister's birthday is in just over three weeks. Three busy weeks. There's always hope.

H is also for...hoping. This is a picture of my mother in late summer, 1954. It's one of her favorites. It was taken in our big back yard on the farm, next to the well where it was always shady and cool. She might or might not have known, at the time this was taken, that she was pregnant with me.

This is my birthday week, and I like to think, when I look at this beautiful, smiling woman who will be my mother, that she's hoping she'll have a child who'll turn out to be just like me!

Playing with yarn

I'm using some stash yarn for a Rabbit-Proof Scarf from Morehouse Farm Merino Knits. It's Brooks Farm Primero in a color I call Pansies, and this is about the fourth thing I've tried to knit with it. I was unhappy with all those previous attempts, and I'm keeping an open mind about this one. So far so good. I'm having fun, which is what it's all about, isn't it? Casual Knitting continues!

And yarn to play with -- good old Sugar 'n Cream. I feel a Mason-Dixon Warshrag or two coming on. Or maybe a Soapy the Soap Turtle.

I played at the end of my street for a little while, too. It's very warm today, unless you're by the water.

The wisteria buds were barely visible this morning; now they look like they're going to explode. There's a big vine that covers the railing at the top of my stairs. Before long it will be growing all over my doorway, the flowers will be plump and fragrant, and then I'll be enclosed by a little leafy room for the rest of the summer.

Thank you all for the many shortcake and sock compliments! My recipe for shortcake came in parts, from The Best of Craig Claiborne, The New York Times Cookbook, The Woman's Home Companion Cookbook, and many years of happy memories. There's a recipe in most basic cookbooks (mine uses sour cream...which accounts for most of the yumminess). Indeed, it makes a fantastic birthday cake!

Yummy

The shortcake was delicious!

There were two fabulous R's, three socks, and one moon boot.

We had a wonderful afternoon, cooking and laughing and nibbling and chatting.

I did manage to mess up something on my little clapotis -- a stitch is off a couple of rows down (must have been all that giggling and chocolate). I'll fix it tomorrow. In the meantime I'm dreaming about starting another pair of socks. Or a scarf. Or something.

Sunrise, approximately

Little Plains Beach, 6:30 am

Finished Rainforest Jasper Socks!

Pattern: Basic sock, using Ann Budd's formula, K2 P2 ribbing
Yarn: Socks that Rock Superwash Merino, light weight, Rockin' Sock Club "Rainforest Jasper" colorway
Needles: 2.5 and 2.25 mm dpn's, 8-8.5 spi
Comments: I love the colors, and I love the way the yarn does that little flash thing around the heel. I don't think I'll ever tire of this yarn.

I'm about to start The Baking of The Shortcake for The Strawberry Shortcake, which will be one of the desserts at today's Easter dinner at Judy's house. There will be regular food, too, but I'm counting on the chocolate, myself.

Shortcake is one of my mom's favorites, and she used to make a good one, so big and messy and luscious that it might topple. I hope my effort can do hers justice. Happy Easter, dear Gig!

Happy Easter, everyone! Happy Birthday, Niece L!

Peepers!

No, not these (though they're nice, too).

These!

I have always adored Spring Peepers. They promise warm evenings, windows thrown open, sweet summer on the way. I've seen them on a just few occasions, because they're only an inch and a half long and well camouflaged, but I sure do know they're out there. I was driving down my road this evening, with the windows open because it's finally warm enough, and as I passed the beginning of the woods, there it was, that wonderful sound, a happy ending to my day. It's gotten colder tonight, too cold to open the windows and listen some more, but I don't mind. Spring Peepers = Big Smile.

And here's a Stupendous Spring Peepin' Sky picture for Sandy.

Wednesday random knittedness

How about some yellow and orange? I love Flickr Toys!

I have some socks to share, too. This yellow and pink pair is for one of the Marvelous R's.

Pattern and Source: Blueberry Waffle Socks
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, "Yellowstone" colorway
Needles: 2.25 and 2.75 mm DPN's
Modifications: I used a K1P1 rib for the cuff, and I must have cast on fewer stitches, because these are small person's socks. It's been a long time, and I didn't keep proper records, apparently.

I made these a while back -- 2003, maybe? They just now fit this R, and I can't wait to give them to her!

This next pair is for the other Marvelous R. I was using this yarn for socks for myself, but something kept bugging me. This yarn is meant for that R, not me, so I frogged and began again.

Pattern: Basic stockinette sock using Ann Budd's formula, K2P2 ribbing
Yarn: Socks That Rock, "Moss Agate" colorway
Needles: 2.25 mm DPN's

Needless to say, I think these socks are very cool!

~:~

I spent a little time by the water today, which is someplace I have needed to be. The winds were light so I didn't get blown away, and the water was almost calm. I love days like today -- the sun is warm, the air is cool, and I'm not stuck indoors. It's officially Not the Off Season any more, so my work days are getting longer and more demanding. So, to the water I must go.

I have some nice small knitting projects going on, and many more in the pipeline. After I finish the might-be-my-sister's Clapotis, I've got some ideas about a shawl using the 800 yards of Blue Moon Seduction (50% merino, 50% tencel) that I got at Rhinebeck. The color is called "Red Oak." I want to make a "Rabbit-Proof Scarf" from the Morehouse Farm book, and a "Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono" from the Mason-Dixon book (my niece L is going to have a baby in a few months). There are always socks, too. I'm a few inches away from finishing my Rockin' Sock Club socks, and I'm on the second sock of my March Project Spectrum pair, so it's safe to start thinking about what comes next. I think I hear one of my skeins of Fleece Artist calling to me...

Inspiration. This is a link to Teyani's blog; her wonderful April 11 post begins like this:

To Inspire:
to animate the mind or emotions
to elicit, create
to affect, guide or arouse by divine influence
to communicate with divine influence
to breathe life into
...from the latin root spiritus, spirare... breath of God.

It's the right time for me to let inspiration guide me along my path. I want to feel settled and open, the way I feel today. I know it doesn't always last, but it will always return.

G is for Girls

My sister S and I were always called "The Girls." We do have a big sister, E; she's one of us, too, but because S and I were born just thirteen months apart, we were just "The Girls." We were dressed, while not exactly alike, in matching outfits, usually beautifully made by our mother. In this picture S is wearing the famous Brick Pajamas (not hand made, but worn by at least four of us five kids, until they fell apart). We are giggling here, but we could have just as easily been captured in mid-bicker. We shared a room, played and fought, loved and hated, all the way until we went to college. We grew into an easy comfort with one another, and we still giggle, and never fight. S is the one person I wanted to travel to Italy with.

G is also for grandparents. See that mischievous look on my grandfather's face? That is how I remember him. And my grandmother's sweet smile? She loved us so. They were the only grandparents we knew, and they lived in our house always. Lucky, lucky children, yes indeed we were.

~:~

Hey, I though it was supposed to be bright and sunny today. Just for my day off, you know? [Edit: I got my wish! What a spectacular afternoon!] I'm happy to be home and quiet, because it was a hectic week at the store. There's just a lot to do, and no one thing is more urgent than another, so I have to keep on keeping on. No wonder I'm tired.

I've been knitting away on socks and little clapotis-es (?), but with nothing exciting to show. I'm still having a good time practicing Casual Knitting.

My fingers are beginning to twitch a bit, and my eyes are big, because I just got my copy of Morehouse Farm Merino Knits. The pages are filled with wonderful stories and beautiful photographs, and there are enough inspiring patterns to keep me busy for the rest of the year. I love Morehouse yarn, and I love their philosophy, and I love this book. That's not to say that I've abandoned my other latest book love, Mason-Dixon Knitting. I'm just dividing my attention more or less equally!

There really can be too many books, you know. Sometimes it's a good thing, sometimes not -- depends on whether or not you have to haul them around the bookstore, I guess.

Yellow and orange make spring

Winsor Lemon, Winsor Yellow, New Gamboge, and Cadmium Red. Add Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, and French Ultramarine, and you have it: Project Spectrum, at Graves Mountain Lodge last November. Taking this picture made me want to paint. I love my little paint box, really I do.

Cadmium Yellow Lemon, Cadmium Yellow, Orange, Light Yellow Ochre, Cream, and Cinnamon are a Project Spectrum recipe for playing with pastels. These are fresh, untried soft pastels that I got just so I'd be able to play.

Lemon Yellow, Yellow, Orange, and Yellow Ochre just might make a Project Spectrum Postcard fit the theme for April. I've had these Caran D'Ache watercolor pencils since I went to college, a gift from my big brother. They still work just fine, even though they'll be 34 this year. He might not understand very much about me, but he got this part right, and I treasure them.

~:~

In Knitting News: Not Much Going On Around Here

Will someone please tell me where the week has gone? It's already Wednesday. I've been working on three different socks, picking one up when the mood strikes, and managing to close the toes on two. My cotton Clapotis has grown by six inches or so, but I haven't worked on it very much. It's fine with me -- I like this casual knitting idea. I shy away from the deadlines these days.

The privet hedges are beginning to green up around here, a sure sign of warmer weather. The maple trees are beginning to bud, and the willows are practically glowing with that yellow-green thing that happens just before they leaf out. The Piping Plover nesting sites have been fenced off at all the local beaches, the ospreys are returning to nest, and there's a pair of mourning doves somewhere in my back yard.

This natural bounty is more than enough, but there's more: the weekenders are beginning to return to their summer homes, resuming their seasonal preening, partying, and shopping. In a few more weeks, Life As We Know It will be suspended until Labor Day.

Oh, well. I think I'll knit. And paint.

In which Jane reveals her true agenda

Edited on June 28, 2006:

I've removed my original entry. It consisted mainly of a bestseller list, which seemed to be of interest to an author or two whose books happened to appear alongside the knitting books.

If you found your way here via an author's website, you're welcome to visit, but all you'll find is knitting.

Hmm... come to think of it, have you thought about learning to knit?

April, flowers, and therapy

It's time to celebrate Yellow and Orange!

I haven't yet made any plans for this month's Project Spectrum, beyond the postcard swap, but I'm sure something will come to me before long. The daffodils along my driveway are a nice inspiration, though.

I've been working on my first Rockin' Sock Club KAL sock. I decided not to knit the pattern that came with the beautiful yarn. No reason, except that feel like I want to stick to my Stockinette Meditation Program. Round after round, inch after inch, with a short break for an Eye of Partridge heel; just what I need right now. The colorway is called "Rainforest Jasper," but it reminds me of the way marsh grasses look on a bright September afternoon, intense golden brown against the deep blue water and sky. I can smell the salty air now...

I'm also making progress on the cotton Clapotis. More Stockinette Meditation, plus the dropped stitch thing that keeps it interesting (dropping stitches on purpose is so radical and therapeutic!). The colors in this yarn seem neutral, but there's a pretty intense golden orange in there that I really like. If this does turn out to be the perfect birthday gift for my sister, I know she'll like it, too.

~:~

Thank you all for your kind comments on my Sunny Day shawl! I'm still infatuated with it, if that's the right word. It was such a satisfying project on every level, and I made it during a time in which I went from feeling powerful stress and deep sadness to being calmer, happier, and more peaceful. It's all in there, the whole range of emotions and resolutions, so when I wear it I feel like I'm wrapped in much more than yarn.

See what I mean?