Thursday, February 26, 2009

Random Nothingness

My sentry on duty. Not a squirrel, free range cat or bird goes unnoticed. He has several posts around the house. You can tell by the nose prints on the windows.
This blob of black is the latest w.i.p. I'll leave it a mystery for now. Okay, a small tidbit. It's a cardigan with a special feature. Special meaning I haven't attempted it before. Many of y'all will think-"big deal, I've been there, done that."
Andrew finds my hand knits quite acceptable. Plenty of other sleeping accommodations in the house but the smallest surface with wool is the best nap spot.
We're having off and on snow today with a promise of rain. I also received mail from FiberTwist. Interested in everything fiber with a strong showing for hooked rugs? Mark your calendar for September 26 at the Greenfield High School.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Update & Other Babbling

Northfield sweater has been blocked. Warning: Valley Yarns Northfield streeeetches. Good thing it was a rib pattern or I'd-a-bin swimming in sweater. Other than that I love it. My new favorite sweater. Looking forward to working with VY Northfield again. Broke my own swatch and wash rule so no one to blame but myself. Did I swatchandwash Stockbridge? Why no, since you ask. But since I designed it for a snuggy fit I'm not going to worry about it.

So here I was whining about the snow going away, blah, blah, blah and we get a snowstorm on Sunday that lasts all day. By Sunday night it was mush. By Monday morning it was frozen and my car doors had to be persuaded to open-again. A good hip-check did the trick so I didn't have to recruit my hair dryer. Now it's just bitter cold. Ahhhh.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Pick of the Harvest

There it is. "Northfield" with its planted rows creating patterns on the landscape. It's still drying and I'm anxious to wear it before the weather becomes too warm. I'll definitely go back for more of this yarn.

Grass is beginning to show with the waning snow. Sorry to see it go. What! Were I not complaining not too long ago about the crappy weather?!? Of course I was. That was then, this is now. With tomorrow's rain-sleet-rain prediction I'll be whining again. So it goes.

Next project? Well, for some reason I blew by the cotton yarn and went for Valley Yarns "Stockbridge" in my stash. I know very little about Stockbridge though I've been there several times. Doubt it will be a theme knit. It has alpaca and merino like Northfield but lacks the silk so is not as smooth and "silky" as the last project. I like the wide neck of "northfield" so I'm designing same with a raglan sleeve. I'll decide down the road whether it will be a cardi or pullover. As it is black there will be stockinette stitch period. But that could all change tomorrow with the rain....

Monday, February 09, 2009

Inspiration

Years ago, our ancestors knit garments that told the observer something. Irish knits and their knobs, baubles and cables relayed information about family, social status, where they lived...you get the picture. We've lost the art due lack of needing it. For about a year I've been tossing the process around in my head. I've sketched out combinations of stitch patterns representing areas of Franklin County I'm familiar with. With the purchase of Valley Yarns "Northfield" I have adapted a simple pattern that represents part of the actual Norhtfield.
Northfield is a agricultural town situated on both sides of the Connecticut River. Corn, potatoes, hops are a few of their harvests. With the VY "Northfield" I made the pattern simple with a representation of planted rows using a 6 x 2 ribbing. "Like a Poor Boy sweater?" you may ask. Yes. Just like that. So no one will know or give a hoot but me. I thought of tinkering and throwing in the river but this yarn is soft and snuggly I stuck with the plain rib.
As we're having a bit of a thaw, cotton knits designs are roaming around in my head along with other useless knowledge that keeps me in Trivial Pursuit shape. I picked up this screaming green after I had told myself, "self, you need more neutrals so stop buying fashion colors." I don't listen to myself.

"She doesn't listen to me either. Hopeless."