Exasperated

 

You said we were going for a walk HALF AN HOUR ago!

 

 

Completing Projects

 

 

Pattern: Welsh Country Stockings

Designer: Nancy Bush (Folk Socks - The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear)

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock (natural); Handmaiden Casbah (moss)

Needles: Circular - 2.25 mm

 

and doing the finish work on:

 

 

 

Miss Korrigan

 

 

 

 

Another Connection To France

As much as I love our Nova Scotia pottery pieces, this is my favourite vase of all time. It is so smooth and simple, and so very pleasing.
Over five years ago, we stayed in Ronce les Bains, on the west coast of France. Shortly after arriving, on a blazing hot June day, Sophie took me out into the countryside to an area of yard sales stretching along both sides of the road.
Sophie is very small, very capable, very efficient, and takes charge of any situation in quietly matter-of-fact and competent manner.
She rummaged through the antique linens, bartered over the price of table cloths, examined crystal to see if it was worth the buy, made recommendations, and generally guided me along with her expertise. We came back with a couple of antique table cloths, a small table cover, and I found this vase for only two Euros (!) and fell in love immediately with its blue and white swirls and smooth simplicity. On the bottom, there is an inscription in the clay:
Tout hiér sur boëme
I am not sure how this logically translates beyond "all of yesterdays"...

Nora

(Photo Courtesy of Brittany Ernst)

 

 

Inspired by...

 

Pattern: Welsh Country Stockings

Designer: Nancy Bush

Book: Folk Socks

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock (natural) & Casbah Sock by Handmaiden (moss)

Needles: Circular - 2.25 mm

 

I am a great admirer of Nancy Bush and I have all her sock books. She has done a tremendous amount of research over the years on traditional folk knitting around the world. Her patterns are detailed, well written, well  photographed,  and supremely trustworthy!

 

This is the first time I have knit a round toe and a Dutch heel. Nancy's sock has the heel flap and heel turn done in stocking stitch but I used a Knit1,Slip1 for both. The only other modification was to cast on 64 stitches instead of 72.

 

Today Is Sweet Baboo's Birthday

 

 

 

 

 

Around the Garden on a February Morning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Perfect Storm

 

We are under a heavy snowfall warning today with 20 to 40 cm forecast!

 

It is, for our family, a perfect day for a snowstorm. No one has to drive to work. There are no high winds to result in possible power outages. The snow is falling softly and prettily. I have a British mystery series on DVD home from the library. There's lots to read. Nora loves the snow and will gambol about happily if we want to shovel a little from time to time to get some exercise and fresh air.

 

And there's plenty of knitting to do!

 

Pattern: October Socks

Designer: Mary Henniger

Yarn: Cascade Heritage

Color: 5604

Needles: Circular - 2.5mm for the stranded section and 2.25mm for the remainder of the sock

 

I have almost finished the October socks - just a third of the foot to complete on the second sock. It is a pleasing pattern and fun to knit but I am not completely happy with my finish work. The stranded area looked fine as I was weaving in the ends but when I finished, I didn't think that area looked as polished as a more experienced stranded knitter's would. Hopefully, the second sock will have a neater appearance in that section. Practice makes perfect.

 

I would highly recommend the pattern for someone who wants to experiment with stranded sock knitting. The stranded area is relatively small and very little additional yarn is required for the color work. Because the remainder of the sock is ribbed, fit is not a problem. Knitters often struggle with flexibility and stretch with a totally stranded sock design.

 

And also on the go:

 

Pattern: Waffle Rib
Designer: Charlene Schurch (Sensational Knitted Socks)
Yarn: Cascade Heritage
Color: 5651
Needles: Circular - 2.25 mm

This is a pair of socks that I am making for my sister on the other side of Canada . She lives on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. While I am on one coast knitting, gardening and walking, she has, on the other coast (despite being five years older), embarked on a couple of years of study to become a deacon of the Anglican church. I have no end of admiration for her.

And although she doesn't have the time or inclination to do any sock knitting herself these days, I credit her for getting me started. Just when I began knitting again after an absence of a couple of decades, (and, oh, how I mourn the time lost now!), she sent me a lovely pair of socks that she had knit. And instructions for a new-fangled way of doing it - on two circular needles. I had never heard of such a thing!! I struggled over and over again with the instructions - trying to figure out how that initial join was made to form a circle. Now, dozens and dozens of pairs of socks later, I have her to thank for the comforting rhythm of sock knitting and the feeling of satisfaction after having produced something so warm and practical.

 

She has requested baby blue socks with reinforced heels. Since I didn't have reinforcing thread in a color that would blend in well, I knit a Partridge Eye heel for greater strength and durability.