clematis

Thanks to excellent instructions from the knit witch in a video. I’ve never been able to grasp it before. This is important because I’ve got two projects going which will go much faster with this technique. The Peacock’s Best Vest from SWTC involves 114 mitered diamonds, no less, and assorted other little triangles and stuff. They’re all in garter stitch, so I guess I’ll have to learn how to purl back backwards too. Or just turn my work over and over and over . . . . The other one is Lizard Ridge, from knitty. Lots of short rows every sixth row. I have no pictures yet, as the two projects are still mostly in my head.

I do have a picture of another knitty pattern. This took me literally months to complete. I really like the result, but I am so slow. It’s decimal, in classic elite premiere. My ravelry project page here.

the model's mother made her do this, therefore incognito

Behind the model you see a variety of clematis with an unusual flower color. It’s ready for its closeup.

how do I look?

I love blue flowers.

took place last Saturday in Big Island, Virginia, at the Sedalia Center, which used to be an elementary school, was bought by the county, and now hosts various events. Not a large festival, very cozy and friendly. Look at this setting! at the foot of a few gorgeous peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

My friend Denise and I drove up on a last minute whim, and had a wonderful fibery day. I’m still upset that I didn’t win the drawing for the Kromski 16″ Harp loom, but look at this loot!

Furthest left there is honest to goodness combed Cormo top from Overlook Manor Farm, so wonderfully soft, most likely spins like butter, though that sounds very messy, doesn’t it? Spins like a dream? Better. Then a pattern for a swirly shawl, and jojoland melody yarn to knit it in. Then the Holiday 2007 issue of IK, which is sold out everywhere, what a find! A beautiful skein of potential socks in colorway “cherry blossom” from rock creek yarns. A tool for making braid, and a book to learn how, from Lacis, by way of I See Spots Farm. Last, no photograph could do it justice, because you really have to stroke your face with it to appreciate it fully, and the colors are complex and beautifully blended, but that roving is 50% Polwarth, 50% angora from Woolybuns by way of Greenberry House, in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. What a glorious Stash Enhancement eXpedition (that’s yarn SEX to you). I’m so proud of my self-restraint in coming home without a new spinning wheel or drum carder. When I go to SAFF in the fall, an intervention may be in order.

Today’s flowers for you include:

The first hydrangea mopheads of the year. This is an endless summer original, which bloomed pink it’s first year, and a beautiful light red-violet since, and:

white clematis henryi with flowers the size of dinner plates, and:

this lovely blue clematis on my front lamp post which might be variety rhapsody, but I never can remember. It has a profuse habit, and a long blooming season too.

I think I may have just topped my personal record for most links per post.