Last week, I was so happy to see winter end and spring begin. We've had a mild winter in the area of Germany that I live in, but just knowing that it's officially spring somehow makes me feel better. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has decided to play a cruel joke on us, making it snow every single day since spring began. No snow all winter long, and now suddenly my crocuses, tulips and hyacinth blooms are hidden under a white blanket. Boo.
I know I shouldn't complain, because many of you have been buried under several feet of snow all winter long, but if it's going to snow, it should at least do so in the proper season, don't you think?
I was getting all geared up to start some spring knitting, but I've decided instead to work on finishing up some of my long-standing projects so I can start anew. A knitter's spring cleaning, if you will. The projects would really like to finish are my Tangled Yoke cardigan, Isabella, and the Victoria shawl (Ravelry links).
I don't know what my deal is with Tangled Yoke, but I just do not want to work on it. The bottom half of the body is completed, and I'm on the sleeves. I chose to knit both sleeves at the same time, in hopes that it would encourage me to finish faster, but it seems to have the opposite effect. I really should get to finishing this one up, because it would be great to have it to wear this spring.
I started Isabella last June, and finished up the back pretty quickly. Then I screwed up the front, ripped it out, stuffed it in a knitting bag, and forgot about it. I picked it up again a few days ago, and I'm making progress on the front. I really need to get moving on the Victoria shawl, because I would like to give this one to my mother for Mother's Day. I'm halfway through the knitted-on border, and it's boring and tedious. I will persevere, though. I think my mom could really use it in her overly air-conditioned office.
Even though I should be focusing on those old projects, I'm still tempted to start something new. Lately, every sweater I've swatched for hasn't worked out, so I find that I'm sticking to sock knitting. It's portable, it's reliable, and it's still cold enough to have to wear wool socks, and new socks always make me happy. These bright striped ones, especially.
Pattern: basic stockinette socks with picot cuff
Yarn: Vesper sock yarn in Aquamelon
Needles: 2.5mm Addi circulars
Time to knit: March 14 to March 24, 2008
Notes: Love the stripes! The bright colors make me happy.
I've also been doing some spinning lately. I had stepped away from the wheel for a couple of months, but now I'm back in my spinning groove. I had a commissioned spinning job that I finally finished up last weekend, and now I'm working on some brightly colored stuff for spring.
Some of the yarns pictured were actually finished up months ago, I just hadn't gotten around to taking photos and measuring the yardage. The details are all on the Flickr pages, if you're interested.
As if that isn't enough, I've been hitting the dyepots again, as well. I'm waiting on a shipment of base yarn, which should be here soon, so I'll be dyeing up new colors in the near future. Today, I dyed up some rovings, and a couple of custom orders, and it feels good to be playing with color again. I'm hoping to have a shop update the first week of April. For now, though, everything that is currently listed in the shop is 15% off!
Your socks are beautiful and cheerful! Just the thing to make it feel like spring in spite of the snow!
Posted by: Carole | 03/26/2008 at 12:46 AM
Get back on those projects, girl! :o) I'm focusing on some spring sweaters and as soon a my current one is finished, I'm pulling Rambling Rose out of its bag and finishing that sucker! Well...maybe after a *short* sock break...
Posted by: elizabeth | 03/26/2008 at 02:31 AM
Such pretty socks! I especially like the picot edging. Hope the finishing of your WIP's goes well.
Posted by: Lisa | 03/26/2008 at 07:23 AM
I think I've said this before, but I'll say it again. You have the best shoes! :)
Your socks and spinning look great. The projects you've chosen for your yarn will look very nice!
Posted by: Beth | 03/26/2008 at 07:59 AM
Love those socks! They certainly should bring Spring out of hiding.
Posted by: Niki | 03/26/2008 at 12:43 PM
Wow you've been busy! Such pretty socks and lovely spinning too! BTW I loved your photos of paris...looks like you had a lovely trip! =)
Posted by: keri | 03/27/2008 at 02:57 AM
I am amazed at all the work you put into your projects, everything is beautiful. I really enjoy reading your blog and seeing what you have done. THANKS!!
Posted by: Machelle | 03/27/2008 at 07:51 AM
great socks, and great handspun.
Your weather looks like what we are having here - it had been warmer and sun mixed with rain, and then bam ! tonight we had snow. I hope my tulips survive.
Posted by: Teyani | 03/27/2008 at 08:11 PM
Love the newest socks! I have two sweaters in progress that I can't seem to make myself work on too.
Your spinning is beautiful, as always.
I hope spring visits you soon!
Posted by: Karen | 03/30/2008 at 02:20 AM
I know that non-finishing feeling, but those colorful socks make me happy, too :)
Posted by: Dina | 04/07/2008 at 07:40 AM
I seem to have hit a similar wall in finishing my Ariann that you have with the Tangled Yoke. Maybe it's those intermittent bursts of springlike weather that are making me feel kind of 'ehh' about the heathery brown wool.
Posted by: annmarie | 04/21/2008 at 03:00 AM