Two tops

My white and cream Lusk is finished.  All the ends woven in and it's ready to wear.  I am wearing it.

I am quite pleased with it.  The shoulders are just right.  They don't shift back or forwards or pull.  They just stay in place.  To get a fit there that works for this body is amazing.  Yeah the whole hip thing is in another country but that the upper body fits is amazing.  Rebecca Clow, I am in your debt.  Lusk is my favourite sweater ever.

The new sweater, Audrey Borrego's Pleione is coming along nicely.

The yarn is Remix from Berocco.  I decided to knit this on a 6 mm needle, two needle sizes larger than the recommended size.  I wanted a draper fabric not so much for drape but more that as I wash and wear it, it doesn't get too firm to like wearing it.  I knit a previous garment in this yarn and I used it a lot and eventually, it did get firm.  It was like due to me machine washing and drying it.  I didn't want that for this top.  I wanted something that would go the distance. It should be noted that this is giving me z very different gauge than pattern gauge but a little math never hurt me.

The result of the needle size with this yarn is a wonderfully soft and luscious.  It's gorgeous.  It's also knitting up fast.  I am getting very close to where the v neck will join and only a wee bit more to where I split for underarms.  My goal today to to get to knitting in the round.  

That's it for me today.  A new top being worn and another nice one we'll under way.  There is a fierce wind out there, but nothing beyond the usual.  It's worse south of us.  All in all a good day to stay in and knit.

Look for the Little Things

I caught myself sitting by the window in my bedroom this morning, watching the world instead of just opening the blinds and getting on with things. It wasn't planned, it wasn't on purpose, it was just that my world is greening and there is so much to see. 

The maple across the alleyway is setting its seed.  The long fronds of its inflorescence draped down looking a bit like there is a fairy floating in a fabulous dress at the end of each branch.  The buds on the poplars are looking ready to burst. They hint at green.  The cherry buds are looking rounder everyday, getting ready to burst into flowers and joy.  I have no doubt the bugs and bees are waiting as eagerly as I.  It is all such a wonder.  

We spend our lives busy, going here and there so that one day we can just relax.  We drive ourselves nuts preparing for the good life we will have later.  But what about now?  What about seeing all the wonder that is happening at this moment.  All those small things are the things we really need for work like balance or whatever the buzzword is now.  

Look to the little things in the world. Look at the small.    

I think that is part of what makes knitting so fascinating.  It's a small thing.  Each stitch is just a couple movement with some very simple tools and some cordage.  Do it for a while and you clothe yourself.  It's a very small thing that creates big impact in life.   

So much good

I feel a bit hung over this morning. Yarn hungover that is.  My first thought as I woke was gee my bed is comfy and my second  was about touching the really stunning new yarn in the house.  Contrary to the after effects of drinking too many alcoholic beverages, this sort of  hangover is really nice.  

Yesterday was an overall great day.  Not only did new yarn arrive, I cast on something new.  

The colours look atrocious in the picture but it's a soft cross between purple and rose.  The tweedy nature of Remix gives it depth and character.  I said I was not likely to cast this on because of a bit of thumb pain but that was completely gone yesterday so I went ahead and cast it on.  

The pattern I am using is Pleione by Audrey Barrego, though I am blowing up the gauge to work with this yarn.  She came to my attention via My North Knit Corner on YouTube.  Audrey has some lovely little details on her all of her designs.  This one has a nice little lace design down the front and a crisp finish on the neckline.

Today will be a good day.  I finished the Lusk and will weave in ends this afternoon.  I am pleased.  Really pleased. But that is for tomorrow.  Today I have things to knit and stuff to do.  It is sunny and bright and the day looks good.  On I go.