Stasia's Place Of Grace

Sunday, May 29, 2005

 

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend, as we honor those who have served, we're sending a special salute to our favorite sailor, Jack. The flag's out for you, and you're in our prayers!

On the fiber front, I'm currently knitting the Razor Shell scarf by Martha:

Here is another view of Martha's beautiful completed scarf. Martha tells me she used two 50g balls of the recommended yarn, which is a fingering at 175 yds./skein. The yarn I'm using is Koigu KPPPM merino in color P173. The KPPPM skeins have the same yardage as the Bergere Doussine called for in the pattern - Martha thinks it may have been discontinued. The pattern's repeat is a multiple of 10 plus one; I'm doing it over 51 sts. All wrong side rows are purl and the single row of patterning is easy to memorize. It works up quickly and I can't wait to find baubles to tether to the points at the end. Thanks, Martha!

I'd like to try another with Kary's handpainted merino "sock" yarn.

Mine looks crumply because, of course, it isn't blocked yet. The book in the pic is Debbie Macomber's "The Shop On Blossom Street" and it's a nice, light summer read about four very different women who become friends at a yarn shop while learning to knit a baby blanket. There's an Ann Norling baby blanket pattern included in the book as well - a pic is here.

This yarn below is by Stacy Charles - it's called "Cosmos" and it's color 1124. It's for the "Cosmos Poncho" from the book "Handknit Style" (see previous post for pic). I had a really hard time tracking down this yarn, but DeeAnn at Knitwitts was amazingly helpful - and, dear ones, she just got in a shipment from the Stacy Charles distributor, so if you're interested in this lovely wrap, get in touch with her now before the stuff sells out again. She gets an A+ from me for customer service! Darn it if I'm not still waiting for the book from Amazon, though.

That's not such a bad thing, because - oo la la! - I'm anxious to cast something else on... lookie here:

That would be my Four Play wool and silk yarn in the "Classy" colorway from Brooks Farm Yarn. Holy moley, is this stuff to-die-for... no photo can possibly capture the beautiful colors, not to mention the glorious softness. You just have to try it for yourself and find out why their booth is, apparently, sold out within minutes at the fiber fests. Thanks to Miss Kary for recommending this (see her May 6, 2005 entry for gorgeous pics) and for inspiring me to make a Clapotis bias drop-stitch wrap! I purchased three skeins of this yarn and I think it'll be enough - I'll keep you posted.

I'm still working on my Artful Yarns "Fable" silk and cotton raglan top-down T, and my Debbie Bliss "Cashmerino Aran" raglan top-down turtleneck. I have never made a raglan and now here I am, making two... or rather not making two because I am getting sidetracked by lovely scarves! Another day, another lovely project...

I still haven't attached the buttons to my Peace Fleece Everyday Cardigan, but I'm glad Kary encouraged me to complete the seaming, because I've been wearing it a lot, buttons or no. It is a soft, "spongy", cushy-feeling sweater that is just right for tossing on during these strange spring days when we go from sun to sprinkles five times in an hour.

I had it on when Jeff and I ate dinner outside this evening. We threw a pinyon log in the firepit, cooked BBQ ribs and baked beans in the can on the grill, and were serenaded by songbirds throughout our picnic. Felt like we were out camping - a nice "vacation" before we got back to the long-weekend duty roster... which includes dealing with a dying septic bed - sigh! I am so ready for a shower! Thankfully I have my knitting to keep me relaxed through this minor speedbump of life.

---

We have two new members in our household - twin two-month-old baby rattie girls:

They were adopted from the Washington County Humane Society after our dear Sherman was put to sleep due to incurable illness (he had been receiving veterinary care for a month.)

We haven't decided on names for The Girls yet, so suggestions are most welcome! They are almost identical, but one is darker brown with an all-brown tail (the outgoing rattie) and the other is a little lighter, with a pink tip on her tail (they shy but intelligent rattie).

We're allowing them some quiet time to settle in and get used to humans. They're adjusting very well and have big appetites - not to mention a lot of late-night energy for running on their (12" chinchilla-sized, flat-bottomed for safety) wheel!

---

On the foliage front, there are lots of things in bloom:

May apple, a native woodland plant.

Columbine

Another type of columbine.

Iris. Don't you want to drink something a la Alice and crawl in there and take a nap?

Lily of the valley, my favorite.

Asiatic lily.

Strawberries!

The ferns in our woods.

---

Val and I wish you a good holiday weekend. From us, heartfelt thanks to all who have served our country and ensured our treasured freedom!

Stasia Permalink | Archives | |

		Animal	All Bird Cat Dog Horse Pig Rabbit Reptile Small&Furry	Breed		Zip Code