Meanderings of a Mermaid

A few months back a trip to new Zealand represented a life long dream come true. I travelled that marvellous land for three weeks, taking in everything i could about everyday life, the fabulous geology, the scenery and the intertwining of man and nature. I took a lot of photograghs and notes along the way. I drew much inspiration from the land and the people. In particular the unique geology impressed me - the hydrothermal regions, the volcanoes, the Southern Alps. It was all so accessible and so easy to explore. My intention now is to work on a collection of knit designs, based on the inspirations from this trip. It may be clothing, or accessories such as hats and tote bags, or even items for the home. Some pieces may wind up being art pieces. I'm busy with another book at the moment, but as soon as that wraps up, I can devote my time to this new project. I will be preparing this as a book. Part travelogue, part philosophy (cleary just my limited view of things) and part knitting ...

O is for Orange. That seems to be the colour that I am gravitating towards this spring. I can't explain it. Except that maybe I think it is a great contrasting colour to the greyish blue of the fencing and house trim. I've always pictured tiger lilies growing on either side of my basement windows at the front of the house. So I started with the new shed, which needed some paint anyways on the bare plywood doors. What do you think? It actually drove me a little wild. thinking how nice that was. Spiced Tea is what the colour consultants at the paint company call it. Then I was inspired to paint the front door. I had already planted some bright flowers in the half barrel, and so the next step was naturally a bright colour on the door. In a neighbourhood where the required colours (or should I say non-colours) are white, beige, light grey and ... white, beige and light grey... whi......... Just wait until those plantings really fill out! And there was paint left in the can and the ...

So by a happy coincidence I managed to wangle myself into teaching some knitting courses next fall and winter. My local library was looking for someone, and that someone will be me. I've taught many knitting courses in the past at all levels of skill and covering all the major techniques. Some background: last fall I approached the town office and said I would like to do this, strictly as a volunteer thing, and would they have a space for me to use? Nope. They could only offer spaces that would have to be rented out. Not interested in taking money or dealing with rent (especially when you don't know the commitment of potential students) I went away pretty disgruntled. I'm pretty jazzed at this point and already the wheels are turning in my head. It sounds like a beginner course is what is required, and those are the most fun to teach. Seeing people "get it" is very rewarding, because I know what kind of great pastime knitting can become. Summer isn't even her...

So I've been away to camp again and resting the soul. These trips to my sanctuary are so vital to my life, I can't imagine not having a place like this to escape to. Everyone who wants to strive for a stress-free life has to have a place to escape to. Mine is a physical place. Once there, it is a spiritual place as well. I hear that most North Americans don't take the annual vacation that is allotted to them. This perplexes me to no end. You have an opportunity to take a break from the busy work world, with full pay and benefits, and you don't take it? I can understand if not everyone in the family can get time off together, then you may not take a vacation faraway. But even to veg and sit in the backyard, with your feet soaking in a wading pool. Why not? Is it because this typical American is afraid of losing their job? I heard this too. How can this be? If your job is so tenuous, is it a place worth working at? What do you mean "they can't cope without me?...

Even in the northern reaches spring has come. And while I can hear several lawnmowers humming in my neighbourhood, my grass is nowhere near ready for mowing. So what are these people cutting? Are they pulverizing doggie deposits? Well on that point I might be ahead of the game then, as I've managed somehow to clear the entire yard. But that's it for the gardening for now. All my efforts have gone to trying to finish a new guest bedroom and bathroom. A large unfinished basement needed more purpose and definition. The remaining areas are about 70% done, so not too bad. With the imminent arrival of guests, I had to draw the line on the renovation, and ask all the contractors to move out their tools. Summer is a time to garden, camp, take sunset walks on the beach, etc. And I want the house in some sort of liveable and useable state for the guests that will flutter through. Knitting has taken a bit of a back seat while this rush to organize the house is on. Last weekend at camp I k...

Did I mention this design is from Big Girl Knits. Here are a couple more shots. I wish there were more hours in a day so I could knit to my heart's content. I am working the short rows on the lower left side now. Once I work up to the armhole area I will switch to knitting all the way around, and the short row shaping will be on top to make a sleeve cap. After that shaping it is just the simple decreases of working down on a sleeve. In the end there will only really be the two arm seams to sew. Each piece is knit onto the previous. A very clever design I must say. It was designed by Emma Crew. The wool I am using is Vero, made in Italy for Naturally (variegated stuff) and the deeper green wool is Schachenmayr Nomotta Mega. I love the two together. Originally I planned to work it all in the variegated and thought it would be too much striping in every direction. Good call eh?

And the passion is knitting: that simple act of turning a piece of yarn into a fabric with two sticks. I just love it. I've been knitting steadily for 26 years and can't see ever stopping. In fact if there was some way to make a decent amount of money at it, I'd be doing it. Right now I am working on the Sandy Cardigan from the book Big Girl Knits. The wool is a lovely variegated Italian product. The cardigan features a very unique construction and there will be almost no seams to sew up at the end. It works up in rectangular panels and in segments making good use of short rows. I'm considerably more advanced on this cardigan than this photo shows and will try to post another shot soon. It's a fun project and not hard. And because the measurements are customized, it should fit great in the end. Wish me luck!