Suddenly Summer

I was huddling in my threadbare winter duds and when the calendar struck June 11th, the world seemed to tip back in the right position enough for us to begin a warming trend. How could we possibly have had over 65 inches of rain since the middle of October? All that I know is that the creeks are running and the gardens are now growing like crazy and we are all trying to make up for lost time.

Did anyone else get that nasty creeping crud? I think that I was a prime candidate and when it arrived on the doorstep, I was the only one that got it, thank goodness. Lots of coughing and hacking into my elbow saved my loved ones and customers from the same fate and I FINALLY feel well. That was a long time with no energy and the whole gluey lung thing really made me think long and hard about what my mother went through all of those years that she went undiagnosed (hated doctors) with COPD. Awful. Now, the heavy allergy meds and albuterol are a thing of the past!

All the while that I was walking around in a fog, The BOOK made it to Amazon and book shelves around the country. It is all so very exciting and it is wonderful that Vicki could make it to some shows and book stores to do signings. I have been doing it here and will drag books everywhere, from August forward! In case you missed it...

This sweater is one that I made, over and over and over, when I was hand knitting for ready to wear. Back in the day, I could make one in two days but I am MUCH too laid back for that kind of speed, these days so instead of calling it the Portrait Pullover, we renamed her the Sweater for Chillin'. Seems appropriate. I have let Vicki keep the original one, made here with Three to Four skeins of BFL Worsted (our first erratta, blush.) and Two skeins of Kid.

It is one of the most naturally comfy sweaters going. The neck stands away from your body, so that you are more comfortable and the armholes are made so that you have great freedom of movement without the bulk in the armpits. THIS is why I made SO many of them for my collectors. I am putting together the  pieces of a new one a little bit later. I made this one with the dreamy Polwarth/Silk in South Pacific (two skeins for the small and medium) and two skeins of Kid in Blue Spruce. It is even softer and more yummy than the original yarn!

Brenda Patipa's Memory Cardigan has been a big hit, where ever it goes. Just imagine your favorite color yarn that will compliment all of those bits and balls of yarn treasures that you have in your stash. Handspun? Foofoo yarn? You bet! I talked to a gal in Atlanta who was still affiliated with the military and she was already imagining hers in neutrals. I love that idea! A studio customer ordered Polwarth/silk in Forbidden City for hers because she has so many gorgeous bits of yarns to compliment the deep rich red. I can't wait to see it. Here she is in my front garden. See how I choose colors for my garden? How would they be in your sweater?

Just like that bouncy Tony Little, I say...you can DO it!

Who doesn't love Sivia Harding? She asked if I minded that she put beads on whatever she came up with. Really? Bead it up, Sister. She transformed two skeins of Baby Alpaca Sport into a fabulously creative shoulder shawl with a hood! How cozy and wonderful is this for those chilly evenings at the movies when you came in a teeshirt and the air is cold. I spread the back out for you so that you could get the full effect of the design. You could also make this with a skein of Baby Alpaca Silk. See the beads? Gorgeous and just enough weight to make this a substantial little something to whip out of your bag. :o)

I hopes that this whets your appetite for the pieces in the book!

Now, on to Summer. The bees are here in every shape and size.

We have transformed the dirt plateau in the back yard into a magical, serene place! It all happened during the cold and rain and barking cough time but thanks to Scott and his crew, I have a place to spin and knit outside! The water feature has been a favorite with these guys, who croak croak croak, all night long.

Camp Souza

 

All in all, it is now a Peaceable Kingdom and both Boopie and the Chickadees agree.

Comments

[Birdsong]

Oh, everything is so delightful! It may be because the weather is finally delightful, but thanks for such a lovely post and book, and best wishes as you launch it out into the world this summer!

[Sandy]

I have been hoping for more pictures of your peaceful outdoor wonderland. Lovely flora and fauna. Knitting isn't bad either. ;-)