teal-erton.

My future sister-in-law was thrown a bridal shower yesterday from us bridesmaids so I had saved showing this to you until after the event. I knit her a wedding shawl this isn’t for the wedding or anything, but something for her to remember this time by and to think of our family when she wears it out. Susan Dittrich’s Pinkerton Shawl fit the bill perfectly. Simple and elegant (and not too fussy for post-school/summer knitting!). Katy’s favourite colours include teal, sea-foam green and Tiffany’s blue.

Since there’s an obvious pattern there, I chose Sweet Fiber Yarn’s Super Sweet Sock in Teal Feather. Perfect. I love Melissa’s yarns. She choses beautiful colours to work with and results are always fabulous.

Once I had the hang of the pattern, which was easy to memorize, I paid no attention to stitch counts or number of short rows worked … I just kept knitting until I felt it was time to move onto the lace. Again, I paid no attention to counting and cast off the lace when it looked big enough and I felt it was the right time. I didn’t want any leftover yarn from this project other than what I would give her for weaving if it is ever damaged so I just knit until the skein was gone!

The result is a perfectly sized shawl!

Prior to my saying goodnight to you all, I wanted to share a link with you:

trainingabear.blogspot.com

I have mentioned our dogs in previous posts but after some reflection, I have decided to start a blog about the process of “training” Charlie, our male. Our trainer placed him and I together after seeing us interact (I had prior been working with Charlotte) and the journey since has been tumultuous, frustrating and fabulously rewarding. Following some research, as well as conversations with friends, I have decided to journal my experiences. It can be an incredible thing to have animals in our lives but learning to live alongside them when we speak such different languages can be difficult – this blog is dedicated to that experience. I hope I see some of you over there as well!

construction.

We camped this weekend in the rain that often plagues the Upper Fraser Valley of Southern British Columbia. It was wonderful to get outside, have some time to take the dogs on long walks, and visit with family and good friends. I have been working on a couple of projects recently – one that is drying and I’ll photograph/share it once it is gifted, and another that I wanted to show you prematurely. It isn’t finished but the construction has been a delight. I am not so afraid of seaming anymore so I have started taking on some projects I would never have considered last year or the year prior. Solaris is one of those projects that I have been wanting to make for some time.

I had some Cascade Eco+ in my stash that I have used in colour 4010 Straw. I swatched up on 5.00mm and recalculated the stitches based on my gauge (which was very different – of course) and removed about 5 inches from the bulk of the collar. The construction of the back piece was very interesting:

Rather than knit the back piece to the usual arm depth, you stop at about 5 1/2 inches (or whatever your size is), which as you can see on my dress form leaves you about 3 inches “short” – or so you would think.

The left front is then cast on and worked back and forth to the underarms. From there, armhole shaping is worked as well as the complete arm hole, then the piece is worked across the back. The right front is worked completely in reverse of the left front.

The result is interesting and incredibly satisfying. I haven’t washed the sweater yet and I have only just cast on the arms but I am looking forward to the finished results. There’s part of me that doesn’t even want to do full arms but rather sleeve caps to leave it as a vest but I know I would regret that later. So finish it, I will.

I hope you are working on something interesting and equally satisfying this evening.

sorting.

From sorting out emotions to frustration to cleaning out for Spring, it has been a tumultuous June over here. June is my favourite month of the year for many reasons but this year has been a little difficult. My plan is to start fresh today by unpacking the rest of the boxes left from the move: All 4 of them. I know it doesn’t sound like much but these are the crafting boxes that need a lot of sorting out.

So from a very dear friend’s awful news and hope/faith in the future (as well as modern medicine):

http://jabrode.com/

To crying last night at dog school (in front of everyone – very embarrassing) due to earth-shattering (it felt that way at the time) frustration with an adolescent puppy:

He looks so innocent, doesn’t he? Herumph.

But feeling a completely silly sense of relief that things are coming together slowly:

They are organized! Finally!

And stumbling on memories long since past while stuck in the back of our family’s van on long summer road trips throughout the West (who knew I packed this in one of my crafting boxes!):

“The Adventures of Mr. Man” by my brother and me.

And lastly, taking a moment to appreciate the back of a sweater that I am loving so much:

This is what it’s all about, isn’t it? The small moments that we often miss is our busy lives – here’s to appreciating them a little more. xo