Hello Gentle Readers. Here we are in mid-July and summer knitting. I harvested a few cherry tomatoes and am impatiently waiting for the other two plants to produce sun ripened tomatoes. Weeds and crabgrass thrive. Although I am mostly recovered, I am not ready to risk pulling, yanking, and hoeing to remove the weeds. For now they are green ground cover.
On my morning walk, I pass the prettiest Rose of Sharon with soft pink blossoms as well as a stand of Blackberry Lilies. According to the linked website the lilies can be invasive, but in that berm they appear to be contained and their orange freckled faces are charming. Last Fall, I noted the clusters of dark seed pods that give them their name so it is fun to see the flowering plants.
Today's post will be linked with Kat and the Unravelers. This week I worked on two knitting projects and also did some spinning. I don't have any photos of the spinning but it is nice to be back at the wheel. I finished the shortie socks last week. On this pair, I knit 20 rows of one by one ribbing on the bottom of the foot to snug up the arch. I knit socks on two circulars so I put the top arch stitches on one circular and knit the ribbing of the sole stitches on a size smaller needle. My tension tends to be slightly loose so this worked well for me. I have walked in these socks and like the snug fit.
In my mind, summer and sock knitting go together so I cast on another pair using the Garden Sprinkles pattern. These will be a Christmas gift.
I worked on this shawl and found a rhythm that went well with an audiobook mystery. Some nights the project is a little warm. Usually if I drape if off to one side of my lap, I enjoy the knitting. If I knit ten or more rows each day, I'll finish before too long. And of course, if one knits on the same thing, one finishes an item. Funny how that works.
I am reading Handywoman: A Creative Life Post Stroke by knitting designer Kate Davies. The essays in this memoir are well written and fascinating. At age 36, Davies suffered a major stroke. This book is the story of the life experiences that shaped her recovery, a change in lifestyle and career as well as her view on disability. I had no idea that she began her career as an academic and then pivoted to knitting and yarn design. I loved the first essay about growing up in a creative working class family and those influences on her. The essay about the stroke, the misdiagnosis for 24 hours, and attitudes of care givers toward women with possible mental health issues is not a surprise but enlightening. Her response to all of this is more than admirable. Available copies of the book were more than I wanted to pay. Since my local library system did not own the book, I requested it via Interlibrary Loan. What would we do without the library systems?
I hope your summer knitting and/or making projects are treating you well and you are finding bits of joy in these summer days.
Ravelry Links
Blue Shawl (The Foggy Dew Shawl)
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| Blackberry Lily Flower |
I may have to try that sole ribbing. It looks like it would fit my foot well.
ReplyDeleteAll of your projects look great.
Knitting the sole of your sock on a smaller needle is very smart, and I'll bet that ribbing feels good when you're walking in those socks. I really like your attitude toward finishing a project. I know we often feel in a hurry to get something done, but it's a good reminder that as long as we work on something regularly, it will get done.
ReplyDeleteI really like your shortie socks - the colors you chose and the sole ribbing look wonderful. The garden sprinkle socks and blue shawl are also lovely projects. I'm not familiar with blackberry lilies but they are pretty. I may talk to someone at the library about ILL the next time I visit in person. Handywoman sounds quite intriguing!
ReplyDeleteYour shortie socks are lovely and I am going to use that ribbing trick for Steve's shortie socks! Great idea! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds interesting. Since my husband suffered a stroke/brain aneurysm almost eight years ago, I have several books like the one you read. Our brains, and the way they can recover and rewire, are amazing things. I love those socks! Hope you are having a good week. See you again soon!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, do be cautious with the yard work. And you know, green is the color of Ordinary Time after😉. I am a long time follower of Kate Davies and read her book when it was first published. I am planning to knit one of her patterns next and I am signed up for an online color work class with her later this month.
ReplyDeleteI keep saying- ‘one of these days, to making socks’…..unfortunately that day never seems to arrive. Maybe next year will be my sock year😊
ReplyDeleteI clicked your shawl link and then on to the actual pattern site - wow that is going to be an absolutely fabulous (intricate) piece of work when it is finished Jane. Can’t wait to see how it turns out
I love the Garden Sprinkles pattern, Jane! Thanks for linking it up. Someday I WILL knit socks again. (I used to knit lots of socks -- but haven't for years now.) I'm fascinated by the blackberry lilies! I don't think I've seen them around here. I think I have a copy of the Kate Davies book in my personal library -- but I've never read it. Perhaps it's time I dig it out and read! I'm so glad you're healing well -- and also that you're taking it easy in the garden this summer. XO
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever modification to your handknit socks! It's lovely to see/read that you're getting back outside.
ReplyDelete