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Oy,
Good news! Woolgirl.com has just posted a huge box of yarn I sent her, pop in and give her a visit.
On the knitting front. I am working up these gentleman's fancy socks using my sock yarn in the jade colorway via the magic loop method. Did I mention there is no turning back once you go magic loopy!
A few new favorites...
These colorways: pheasant hand dyed sock above and ginger glazed sock below.
Morning light on new linens hanging on the line ...
and sunlight peaking into the corners of my guest bedroom...
A bit of Manos del Uruguay porn and....
Every issue of Vanity Fair always concludes with the infamous Proust Questionnaire.
I respect the honesty of these questions so deeply that I have posted my very own answers based on the original set of questions posed by Mr. Proust himself for blogworthy interestingness...
1. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Complete solitude
2. Where would you like to live?
London/The Hague
3. What is your idea of earthly happiness?
To live with my family in a restored farmhouse in Northern Vermont set on 100 acres, with 2 Wwyandotte hens, a field of graceful old sheep, a loyal Irish Setter and a decrepid old barn.
4. To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
a stunning lack of compassion in some cases.
6. Who are your favorite characters in history?
Joan of Arc, Elizabeth I
7. Who are your favorite heroines in real life?
Truly self-less people be they male or female.
8. Who are your favorite heroes or heroines of fiction?
Jane Eyre, Anne of Green Gables, Laura Ingalls Wilder
9. Your favorite painter?
Rembrandt
10. Your favorite musician?
Nina Simone
11. The quality you most admire in a man?
Wit and Intelligence with a dash of sarcasm
12. The quality you most admire in a woman?
an abidingly true understanding of herself and a desire to embrace her dreams.
13. Your favorite virtue?
loyalty
14. Your favorite occupation?
artistry
15. Who would you have liked to be?
no one. i don't feel i know anyone well enough to warrant filling their shoes...
At TNNA I was fortunate enough to flip through some galley copies of up and coming books set to be released this fall.
By far one of my favorites was this little jewel by Linda La Belle above. It is available for pre-order now at Amazon.
It truly showed the variety of ways to dye yarn and the stunning results you can get from all kinds of different techniques. The section on natural dyer Hand Jive was really great as well.
This book I have now added to my wish list although I know little to nothing about it. I have wanted to learn the magic loop method for awhile now and this seems to be even better.
I wonder if learning the magic loop bit would be better first and then moving on to 2 socks at a time. Hmmmm. Any advice on that one?!
As for patterns I must share what I saw as trends...
Look for some fabulous Fair Isle from Rowan and a thicker weight version of Kidsilk Haze this Fall. I really think overall it seemed the pendulum was swinging back to traditional knitting methods, Fair Isle, traditional/ethic patterning and designing inspiration etc. and far, far away from anything even remotely resembling fun fur.
These are so lovely and very quick for those of you who are asking, is that baby shower tommorrow already?
I held one strand of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Majestic with one strand of Maggi's Angora yarn by MaggiKnits in pure white. I loved how the kidsilk gave the white a greyish lavender haze.
Pattern:
Dainty Booties:
Cast on 33 stitches onto US size 7 (you may want to use an 8 as I knit loosely) circulars.
Knit back and forth for 13 rows.
Start decreases:
Row 13: Knit 13, k2tog, k3, ssk, k to end.
Row 15: Purl 12, p2togtbl, p3, p2tog, p to end.
Row 16: Knit 11, k2tog, k3, ssk, k to end.
Row 17: Purl 10, p2togtbl, p3, p2tog, p to end.
Row 18: Knit 9, k2tog, k3, ssk, k to end.
Row 19: Purl 8, p2togtbl, p3, p2tog, p to end.
21 stitches remain.
Change to US size 5 straight needles (you may want to use a 6 as I knit loosely).
Work k1, p1 ribbing for 9 rows.
Next row bind off very loosely in k1, p1 rib pattern or whatever alternate choice you choose.
This is what you should have now:
Fold the booty in half, wrong sides together and seam up the bottom working your way up the back of the booty.
Turn inside out, add a button or ribbon and give to a wee one near you!
Oh,
And the tomten is just waiting for wings, or i mean sleeves.
Happy 4th! Now off to some sparklers!
