rainy day musing

So I'm working on the cardigan above and I'm really enjoying it. A LOT. Not using a pattern and relying completely on my own small brain is very challenging and thrilling. But I've been purposely saving the tops of the fronts for last because I kept changing my mind about how to go about the neck area in general. I am a big fan of collars. I like fabric around or in the vicinity of my neck because I don't like a draft. This is a transitional sort of lightweight sweater so it could go either way - cozier with more collar, or more summery without.

After several hours of thinking and sketching about this (I'm a slow and frequently interrupted thinker) this morning, I think I've decided on no collar. Ha. Done. Now I can knit on. I hope to finish this soon to show you.

I'm also doing a minor destash (Ravelry link). I just can't knit everything I own.

Have a great weekend!

sunny summer cardi

Pattern: "Snaps n Lace Cardi" by the fabulous Thea Colman

Yarn: Knitpicks Shine Sport in 'Butter'

The girl has just as sad a supply of summer sweaters as I do, so I thought this would be a fun and quick solution. It totally was. Thea (Babycocktails) has a great assortment of sweater (and other) patterns to choose from, especially cardigans which are my favourite sweaters of all. There's also an adult version of this one, which I'm planning for myself.

Thea's part of Amy Herzog's Fit to Flatter Series, which is pretty much the most wonderful thing on the internet I've found in a long time.

Here in Canada we have today off (Victoria Day), so we managed to fit in a quick trip to the lake before the LOST finale last night and still have a day to get stuff done around the house. Every week should be like this.

the future's not ours to see

Pattern: Que Sera by Kirsten Kapur

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton, colour #636, 6 skeins

I had an urge to knit some lace and I need some lighter weight sweaters for spring / summer, so I grabbed this pattern. Unfortunately, I had downloaded it when it first came out a few months ago and then failed to check for errata before starting. I never do that. Until now. Of course, there were quite a few changes, only related to my size, which I didn't clue into until it was too late. No matter.

My stitch counts for the body pieces are a bit different but not too bad, and I switched things up anyway for the buttons, which was the other bit of errata. Once I had all the buttons on as per the pattern last night I decided I preferred only 3 close together at the top. So the middle one doesn't have a corresponding hole. The long body length worked better for me with buttons only at the top.

I hadn't used this yarn before and I quite liked it. It's very soft and lofty, though it may pill as a result. And I love this teal. I also love my "moss" ring - from here.

the grass grows

'Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes and the grass grows by itself''

Zen Proverb

One of 2 plants my children gave me today. Then they tagged along with me through the greenhouses at the garden centre. The fresh plant smells! The heady aroma of living things after a long, cold winter. Totally intoxicating.

The underside of a cardigan I'm working on. I love the hummocky landscape of lace.

The beginning of a cardigan I'm designing. Lovely summer weight hemp and cotton.

I hope your spring is green and peaceful. happy mother's day.