While in Gloucester, we did, in fact, attend a knitting retreat. I do not have one solitary picture to prove it though.
This was a colorwork knitting retreat, covering two handing stranding techniques, chart reading, the history of knitting in the different places it originated, and more less any question you could think to ask that related.
At the retreat there were people of all skill levels, some who came to learn, some who came for a vacation with a friend, and some who came to enjoy the company of other knitters. It was really a wonderful group and we had a great time.
My mother decided to knit a Norweigian ski hat, which she has since finished, and it is quite impressive. Of course, I don't have any pictures of that either.
I (of course) couldn't do anything as normal as a hat. I decided that I should go ahead and use my Kauni yarn that I bought eons ago. I had been trying to sell it on Ravelry, but nobody seemed interested (until after I cast on for the sweater).
So I picked a pattern out of one of Alice Starmore's recently re-published books and chose a sweater pattern (raglan pullover) and off I went.
I have about 3 inches done...it's going to be a while, especially considering that I am obsessed with knitting lace right now, but more on that in a minute.
Other things that are happening - spring continues its accelerated journey this year. The roses are blooming. The roses bloom for my birthday - in early JUNE.
This rose bush is on a little side street, and I love it, it blooms for my birthday, in late May and early June, and then again in September. I do appreciate its beauty, but I am sad that I won't be able to appreciate it in another month instead.
I love that the buds are yellowish with deep pink edging, but when the flowers open they are almost white with just the barest hint of blush on the tips of petals.
Sigh. I don't know what's going on with the weather this year, far be it from me to complain about an early, long spring in which we have had few rainy days - but it's not normal and that makes me more than a tad bit worried about what that means for the coming year and of course, what that means in the bigger picture. BUT this is not a blog to talk about climate change implications...
I also like this picture.
You could layer a hundred meanings into it or you could just notice how it's funky cool that the background is clear but the fence in the immediate front of the picture is blurry...your choice.
The yellow-centered pink rose looks like a Helen Trauble rose. My grandmother loved it, origin 1951; I grew it in memory of her garden. Helen Traubel, the Metropolitan Opera's premier Wagnerian soprano from the 1930s to 1953, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, 16 June 1899. She died in Santa Monica, California, in 1972. Here's a link to the rose: http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/pl.php?n=3242
Posted by: Barbara-Kay | May 03, 2012 at 10:49 AM