Sunday 26 February 2012

SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS........


 .................... MAKES ME HAPPY! ( a beautiful John Denver track)

So, this was me this morning; in the garden, sleeves rolled up, radio on, coffee mug full, knitting out and on the go, kitchen doors open onto the garden. Perfect! Why does this seem so strange? Because this is England and it is still February! It was so peaceful, warm and sunny with just the sound of busy birds, it was hard to imagine what the weather was like at the same time last year. Very different! I was determined to make the most of it and sat outside until about 3.30p.m., when the sky began to cloud over a little. Warm sunshine makes such a difference, especially so early in the year. I'm very grateful.

You may be thinking that the yarn you can see has changed colour; well yes, it has! This was the colour last week....


 ..... but it just didn'e seem to be quite right (not that I'm terribly fussy, you'll understand!). I cast on several times this week, but my heart wasn't really in it and I made silly errors that were impossible to correct, meaning that I had to frog and cast on all 210 stitches again. Please, bear in mind that this was only the third yarn and colour choice that I had tried so far and not been happy with. Not to be beaten, I frogged again and cast on with a new colour that I am, at last, much happier with. It almost the exact colour of my jacket and will blend with my dress colours too. If I'm honest, I'm not really in love with the Rowan 'fine lace' yarn, but the colour is good and I seem to have wasted hours scouring the internet for the illusive perfect colour. I would have preferred a silk blend, but never mind. The 80% baby alpaca and 20% merino mix will produce a light, wafty covering; just perfect for the wedding evening.


It's a twenty-eight row pattern repeat, which is quite straight forward really, but I find it so irritating and time consuming having to spend ages trying to sort lace errors and even more so when using fine, fluffy yarns! So, a 'lifeline' was a must. I've put it in after the first pattern repeat and will move it up at the end of each subsequent repeat. 




I'm going to need to get my skates on if this is to be finished in time. The wedding is on April 6th, so just over a month to go. Not long!

I bought some rather lovely Posh Yarns 'Sylvia' 2ply this week too, from a Ravelry destash. Two skeins  of the most gorgeous 50% silk 50% merino mix, in colourway 'I Got Rhythm'.


Mr Snoops made the most of the  Spring weather to get on with with some planting. The tomatoes were re-potted and seemed to grow as I watch! They almost appear to breathe a sigh of relief when they get their own little home, rather than having to share. They're now taking up the end of the kitchen table! Also planted today were lettuces, now in the greenhouse and pointy peppers, now in the airing cupboard. Hmmm!

Oscar, as always, watched the 'potting' with great interest. He's never quite sure whether there is some kind of foody thing going on that might be shared with him. Sadly, not!

 The winter pansies, that have braved the elements for several months now, were also enjoying the warmth of the sun, turning their sweet little faces to it's tender rays. Hooray, Spring is on its way!


 Ahhhh, such a lovely Sunday. Come again soon Mr Sunshine! We love you!

13 comments:

Lynne said...

I really admire your patience with your shawl, I'd have given up ages ago! The yarn is gorgeous, and it's looking great so far.

It's definately a project for lifelines. I think the pattern repeat on my Almost Ovals scarf was 24 rows, and I put in a lifeline every 12 rows. Good luck with it! :)

josiekitten said...

Well done for finally finding 'the one'!! It will be worth it in the end - we'll look like two 'grannies' together with our knitted stoles! hahaha! Have a good week! xx

bellaboo said...

I'm in awe of your knitting skills with that shawl...amazing!I know I wouldn't have the patience.
It was great to see..and feel..the sunshine wasn't it? I had my sheets out on the line first thing...I love that fresh air smell after.Oh Oscar bless him,I hope he got a little treat. :0)

AnnaPrasad said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous day and your pictures are great! Love the shawl...it looks so delicate.

Sarah said...

Yes hasn't it been lovely? We sat outside a pub yesterday with a view over a river and had a drink. Weird in February!
I too admire your patience in re-doing your shawl. I think I would have had a few temper tantrums by now! I do like the colour you have chosen this time, and love the lacey pattern. Incomprehensible to me how you do that! Have a good week.

Shannon said...

That yarn looks so soft and cozy - it's perfect for something you're going to wrap yourself up in :)

kate said...

Love love love the colour you have settled on!

We had lovely sunshine as well, but a cold north wind made it more brisk walking weather rather than sitting knitting weather :)

Wyatt said...

We have a few trays of sprouting things as well. Promised ourselves we would not go as crazy as last year...we don't really need 300 tomato plants.

Wyatt's mom

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Ros! That latest colour looks really beautiful! I know how sometimes it's just so difficult to find the result we want.
How great that you have had so good weather! Saturday I was sitting outside but mostly it's still very cold and raimny and will continue like that - ugh!
I love to see Oscar there thinking what's going on with all those pots.
Have a wonderful week and I hope you can enjoy sunny days outside!
x Teje

Tracy said...

Oh, the sunshine was bliss, yes?! We had some here to, can you believe? ;o) It was almost 10 degrees C at the weekend here, and felt very spring like. That smoky-blue shawl is dazzling... love this! I'm knitting a shawl now for a friend who I just found out has cancer--hoping the bright citrus-y orange & pink of the yarn will cheer. So good to see Oscar... and those flowers. Let spring come! ;o) Happy Week, Ros

Unknown said...

I love the new color and think the repeat looks lovely. Hope you have good energy and perfectly placed lifelines to get you through.

Kat Jorgensen said...

I think you've got another winner with the new shawl color - although I liked the last color. Beautiful knitting, Ros.

Loved Oscar's picture, too. Very handsome : )

melissa said...

oh your sunshine is making me happy too!!

the shawl is looking amazing! you are a lace knitting superstar!!