Thrifty Decor For Spring

We had another snow storm yesterday - about 15 centimeters. But the days are longer, the sun is stronger, and the ground will soon be bare. In the meantime, there's no reason why we can't celebrate spring inside.
Oprah once mentioned that she used lemons in a bowl as a practical, simple centrepiece. That's a good idea but you have to eat an awful lot of lemon in order to keep rotating through that bowl so as not to waste the aging fruit.
As a knitter, I feel we are a pragmatic and creative group. We learn to assess a project in terms of cost, time, use, and value of the finished item. See also: http://www.elliphantom.com/
A knitter's nonperishable centrepiece can be replenished and refreshed from yarn stash and, in the interim, be a constant, highly visible resource for inspiration and planning.

Finnie's Cookie Sweater

I love the blue doors of France, especially in the countryside villages like Ronce les Bain. There are so many shades of blue on the doors and shutters and window boxes - pale baby blue, sky blue, royal blue, periwinkle, turquoise, cornflower. Blue doors and hollyhocks everywhere.
So here's a blue sweater for Finnie of France.
Pattern: Cookie Sweater
Source: Rowan's Miss Bea's Rainy Day book of patterns by Louisa Harding
Yarn: Zara Plus by Filatura Di Crosa
Color: 32

What Makes A Snowy Sunday Celtic?

We woke this morning to a pretty scene - steady, but softly falling snow that clung to every tree branch. Lucy and I trudged through the streets until we were layered in white. It was the perfect backdrop to a morning of research on traditional European mitten designs, making Scottish oatcakes, and finishing a neck scarf called the Crofter's Cowl!

Cable Trellis Mittens

My first pair of cable mittens.
Pattern: Cable Trellis Mittens
Source: Vogue Knitting Mittens and Gloves
Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label (Tanis is a clever Canadian gal who dyes lovely yarns)
Colour: Royal Flush
Needles: 3.25 mm and 3.50 mm. double pointed