Greener Pastures

I have been taking much respite in this early spring. 

Here are some shots a few of the plants found in my area:

 

 

 

Allium is my newest pattern, shown here in Little Fox Yarns Bosa, and plans are being laid to use the lovely motif in a summery pullover in another Little Fox yarn, Linea.

I'm excited that Endeavor is included in the first round of MDK's March Madness!

Have you signed up for Clara Parkes's daily delight email?

Are you following  #livefromhome on IG? Many are like a tiny, tiny desk concert.

“Knit on with confidence and hope through all crises.” 

Elizabeth Zimmermann

Oh, New Year, I'm already so into you...

*P2tog, slip stitch back to left needle*

It was 2010 when Quince & co. release their new linen, Sparrow - which was available in one shade only.  Sans.

I immediately ordered a few skeins to make a little capelet which was called Diamond Willow.  The pattern was for one size only.

Diamond Willow

With this New Year, I am continuing to reformat, redo and expand the sizes of my favorite patterns of the past.

I chose Carpino, the new cashmere blend from Malabrigo

to update the pattern.  In Frank Ochre.

The yarn is wonderful in the skein and even better when knit. I've worn this little layer over my shoulders continually since it's completion.  Alone.  Under a jacket and even now propped against pillows while writing.

While I knit I listened to a new-to-me podcast, Cultivating Place

There was an interview with Marta McDowell,

author of Emily Dickinson's Gardening Life.  Marta mentioned Emily's Herbarium,

also new-to-me. I frequently press fowers, notes, and leaves into, well, everything. Many a book has a random ancient crumble or envelope with something that was precious enough to pinch off and save.  I'm surrounded by cones and acorns, seashells and other detritus.  

I love to garden vicariously, through podcasts

and walks: while my own garden is a small summer bed of beloved zinnias and a few sunflowers.

For more inspiration, I recommend the contemporary Modern Pressed Flower

whom I have recently begun to follow on IG

Her single hydrangea blooms are like the quatrefoil eyelets I've recently knit.

Write it in your heart

that every day is the

best day in the year.

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mac, The Livestock Conservancy, and the Mac Cowl Pattern

Meeting Mac was a bit of magic.  

Over a year ago, I introduced myself to Alice O'Reilly, a lover of wool 

and sourcer of rare breed fibers. I wanted to let her know what a pleasure it had been to use her luscious CVM/Silk that Mason Dixon Knitting had offered.

We were able to spend quite a while talking. 

She shared a wee snip of her new fiber find, Santa Cruz, which may have been the sproingiest and most incredible fiber I'd yet handled.  

I was smitten.

I shared the yarn bit and the story with my beloved Rhinebeck family...longer story shortened,

we found this little guy in the sheep barn.

Jenn fell in love with this 6-month-old Santa Cruz Ram Lam and he is now part of her flock.

Amanda with Mac at his first dinner party.

I thought about Mac in his new life, and one lovely day a parcel arrived from Alice.

Delicious.  

Fingering weight Santa Cruz.

The yarn eventually became 

the Mac Cowl

Thank you to Gale Zucker for the beautiful cover shot!

 I used a DK weight Prado de Lana CVM, which is another rare breed,
for the Short Mac Cowl. 

Mac Stitch

The pattern is available on Ravelry, and proceeds from the sales will go to 

The Livestock Conservancy.  

This world is full of worthy causes, I know.  

I do hope that this story speaks to you as much as it did me.

Things that I'm happy to have clicked on: 
This tale of three fruits, then and now.
And this, especially the Hawthorn leaves.














I am thankful for you all.  

Endeavor

I am thrilled to release this pattern! 
It's knit in pieces, the back and sleeves are stockinette with a little shaping.
The front has some amazing things going on.
This small-batch yarn from Prado de Lana is a blend of two Romneys; Mother, and Daughter.
Altogether it is magical.
I hope you'll want to cast on soon.

I'm taking this and several other pieces to Rhinebeck tomorrow. 
The weather should be crisp and clear.  I hope I can sleep.

Swatching Flat for In-the-Round

Happy New Year!  

I'm getting ready for MasonDixonKnitting's Bang Out a Revolution, a KAL that begins the first of February, in which we are making 

a top-down cabled yoke (sweater) using one of the many pieces of 

Norah Gaughan's in the brilliant Field Guide no9 Revolution and/or Interchange patterns.

The yarn I've chosen is the rich and gorgeous Hektos from Julie Asselin in the color London. 

Yes, yes, another grey sweater - but really - it's not just grey.  

There's a sweet layer of teal in there plus a little red and green and even a tiny bit of pink and purple.

Swatching Flat for In-the-Round

To begin to swatch cast on at least 26 stitches

onto the circular needle that you would use for the project. 

Knit across.

*Measure off 1-inch of relaxed yarn per stitch and make a slip-knot at that measurement.

Slide the stitches to the other end of the circular needle, place the slip-knot onto the right-hand needle and knit across using the looped end of the yarn.

Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle, remove the slip-knot and knit across.*

 

As you can see, the left-hand side of the fabric is very wonky

and should not be measured for your gauge. 

However, the right-hand side is firm and perfect.  

This is one of the reasons that I prefer this method over pulling the yarn loosely across the back (which results in both edges being distorted).  Also, it lays perfectly flat.

I did steam the fabric for the last photo but will bind off and wet block to confirm that I'm achieving my target gauge.

Follow along at the MDK Lounge for an already lively discussion. 

I'm making the Calligraphy yoke as a pullover and will begin with a provisional cast on.  Stay tuned for how and why!

PS.  I've been wearing this fab Wool & dress - made of a merino/nylon knit -

with POCKETS 

each day for a 100-day challenge.  

Follow me on Instagram and check out the tag to see!

I did not receive a free dress but chose to purchase and participate.

Slow Fashion October

Many of us regularly consider Slow Fashion; the origin and lifespan of our garments. I'm no longer much for fads - they often pass me by without a glance.  In either direction. 

While reading the first post on Fringe, in what is likely to be a marvelous prompt to look deep within our closets and by extension ourselves I'm considering my color palette. 
Black, some Blues, cool Grays.  

Meanwhile, I'm working on my Rhinebeck Sweater, Exit 19, in Jill Draper's delicious Empire, which is a color that I love and will go with all of the above.

I've added one of the 2 pockets. Oh, Pockets!
Have you listened to the latest episode of Articles of Interest from 99% Invisible?
Fabulous.  Thank you Avery Trufelman!

We're working on some reknits and updates of patterns, here are Sparrow Mitts and Timberline Hat in Jill's new Kingston.

While my hands are busy I'm avoiding most of the news and listening to Circe, a marvelously crafted Mythology read by Perdita Weeks.  
It's mesmerizing, mindful, delicious and makes me want to Smash the Patriarchy. 

xo

Fall Plans

Rhinebeck is less than 40 days from now, and I'm giddy with the thought of crisp air,  colored leaves, and a cider doughnut.

The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others
only a green thing which stands in their way.
 ~William Blake

My sweater is knit and ready to assemble, and 

I have a hat and mitt update in Jill Draper's new Kingston yarn.

There are several new patterns so very close to publication. 

Hiru

From November 15 - 18  I'll be in the beautiful mountains of Northern Georgia at  Dahlonega Spa, to teach at the Yarn and Yoga (and Whiskey!) retreat; there are only a few spots left, do join us!

If you'd like to know a little more about me, I've had some lovely interviews here and here. 

Finally, I've knit a few blocks of the Mitered Crosses Blanket to be added to several blankets of love; if you have a few hours and some worsted weight wools, it's a mighty good feeling to share. 

Until next time, Happy Knitting!