At Least I Have A Photo

Remember this lovely sock.?
Well it is no more. That is, to specify, it is no more in my possession. Yesterday it did an unobserved leap out my bag and no amount of looking could locate it. 
I am so mad I could just spit.

So Many Socks

It seems that all my recent FO's have been socks.Yes, I am using stash and experimenting with new techniques. Yes, of course i love socks! However, there may be too much of a good thing - especially as it's summer and wool socks are not needed. After the current pair, my Business Casual in Orange Octopus, I shall make something other than footwear. 

So many patterns. So little time.

I worried at first that the criss-cross cable pattern would not be highlighted sufficiently with this variegated yarn. Now I think it's just fine. The effect is subtle, but definitely there.

I had fun shooting the Scrappy Socks about town. The bright colour photographed so well!
Here they are at the garden centre the day I was shopping for herbs.

The photo shoot that ended up on my Ravelry page was impromptu. I passed a gorgeous brick nook while out on my bike on a sunny day. I kicked off my sneakers, set the 10 second delay, and got several good shots of my own feet.

In the Shadow of a Dream

Imagine being found

on a morning like this

in the fragrance of spring rain

every sense a painful

happiness breathing

on a morning like this

a little lonely a little dazed

eyes still filled

with longing and dreams

To see you walk through

a veil of fog and gates of rain

to meet me this morning

with a glance that says

that I am seen and found

for as long as forever

Ulrikka S. Gernes

A Sudden Sky

Brick Books 2001

Distractions Part II

Sometimes I just need to get my creative juices flowing by playing with my dolls. Here they are trying on some summer outfits. 

Distractions

Do you ever feel, as I sometimes do, a little guilty about all those WIP's waiting for attention? I am trying, really I am, to finish the lace stole I started over two years ago. Well, maybe it was actually three years. 

How can one sit down and apply oneself when there are distractions like the Pompom Anniversary issue hitting the shelves? I ordered a copy as a birthday gift to myself and the store called the other day to say it was in. There are so many beautiful things I want to cast on. Right. Now.

However, I am only on Row 258 of the approximately 600 required to finish this lace project. Quiet opportunities to knit complex lace are few and when they do come along, I find I only manage 8 to 10 rows in a sitting. 

I am making a pact with myself. No new projects until I hit Row 310 and also finish the current pair of socks. This seems a reasonable goal. Then, who knows what delights await?

Another stole seems silly but this one by Thea Coleman is so beautiful.

A sideways sweater would be a new challenge.

Another Birthday

The planet did another year rotation and I had another birthday. To celebrate we went on a spa trip to an inn not far from here. The spa experience was admittedly a little disappointing. It was far too crowded which caused me to have a "moment". Thankfully, my lovely and patient partner was there to get me quickly out. I love that I can so thoroughly trust him to help me when I need it. What a beautiful gift. I still marvel at having such reliable love in my life and am grateful every day.
Our best experiences of our overnight visit were away from the main building: visiting the stables and gardens, sitting on the deck outside our room watching the moon rise, walking down the road to see the neighbouring sheep farm. 
Yes, I said sheep!

The garden grooming achieved a planned, yet not too formal look.

Watch out for the working sheep dogs! Though we never felt  in danger, they aggressively defended their flock. We knew to keep our distance.

Wonderful to breathe the fresh, foliage scented, air.

Shortly before we left, I finished my scrappy socks. They are quite delightful, looking even better than I had hoped they would. The knitting is fast but the weaving in of ends is slow. It's a good balance that makes a great sock. I plan to make more like this.