I am going to have to get over these summer blues that I am suffering from at the moment. It's getting to the point where it's really no fun. Kris over at Strikker says that she's being lazy and maybe that's what's wrong with me too, I just can't seem to be quite bothered.
The weather has been so bad that it has been pointless trying to take any pictures of any of knitting because the light is dreadful (it's the middle of August and the husband and I actually discussed putting the heating on yesterday...)
But there may be light at the end of the tunnel. First of all I got my Rowan Exchange gift. Remember that I knit for Isobel? Well someone knit for me and my gift arrived in the post at the weekend. I am going to keep quiet for now as I don't want to give anything away until I have pictures to do the item justice but suffice to say that I was gobsmacked and that Polly tried to run off with it.
I also finally managed to block my Birch shawl which has been sitting on top of my knitting back for months waiting for me to stretch her and show her inner beauty. So there will be pictures of that once the light clears up too.
As you can see, there has been nice knitting stuff going on. I also decided that sitting here beating myself over the head about Joy was rather pointless and instead I am going to put her aside for a bit and come back to her later this year with a fresh pair of eyes. I will make Joy, just not right now. So instead I went to Liberty and bought some of one of my favourite yarns. This:
to make this:
I love Salina. I have loved Salina since she was published and I have seen a few on Ravelry that have made me really rather jealous. I have to admit to having bought the yarn in the Herb (green) colour that the pattern is published in. I went to Liberty fully intending to chose some other colour, especially as I have started Martha (remember her?):
in the same colour so it seems silly to have 2 garments in the same colour. But I wanted something that would go over my jeans so all of the greys and blues were out, I am off purple for the short term (there's a lot of purple in my stash) and reds/oranges are not my thing. So it just had to be Herb. Mind you, I probably knew that from the start, but I am good at this denial thing.
So the plan is to knit Salina alongside a few more hats and to enjoy lots of easy knitting. (Although I am having trouble matching the Felted Tweed tension, another source of annoyance). And then, when I have my knitting mojo back, I am considering knitting this:
Sigh. It's just so so so beautiful. Although I am most probably just setting myself up for failure again.
Posted by Amelia at August 28, 2007 09:54 PMFor a long time now I love the colour Herb and always thought about knitting Salina in Herb, too. But I also love Kim Hargreaves new little cardigan in Herb, it looks so fresh and happy in this colour. I have ordered it already in black, but your picture is tempting me to give also Herb a try. It is so very surprising how a different colour often changes completely the appearance of a garment. My fancy at the moment goes with black, every design I see I imagine wearing it in black, although it´s not the best colour to knit with on dark winter/autumn days. I am so much looking forward to see your Salina growing, and above all to read your comments about the instruction and all. I love the designs of Kim so very much, but have always difficulties with her tension, too.
P.S. Here it is so very cold during the last days that we switched on the heat again, especially for the bathroom.
I love Salina and the yarn you have chosen is just my colour ..... :)
Posted by: Lin at August 31, 2007 08:45 PMHi Amelia!
Salina is going to be so pretty!
Sorry to hear about your "summer" weather. I really believe its global warming.
Hope you'll email me so I can explain the name and blog change to you. I searched everywhere for your email address. I have a new email program now and lost it.
Posted by: Jane at August 31, 2007 03:15 PMTee hee - am just knitting up my second Salina in Rowanspun DK (col. "catkin" - a lovely green, I'll have you know) and, though still decidedly un-petite, I have high hopes for this one (the first one is one size too big for me now, hence the re-knitting). I've been drooling over the "Herb" Felted Tweed for a long time now; it won't be long until I finally cave in.
x Viv x
Posted by: Viv at August 31, 2007 01:11 PMun très beau choix - la felted tweed reste ma laine préférée, juste devant la denim (qui, dommage, semble vous causer quelques soucis)
Posted by: vivi's mum (Brussels) at August 30, 2007 03:17 PMSalina is a great choice in Herb. It will look great. Hope it cheers things up for you.
Posted by: Carol at August 30, 2007 11:09 AMAh, the Fair Isle bug has bitten you! That's one of my favourite felted tweed colours too. Great!
Posted by: Sam at August 29, 2007 09:28 PMAw, chin up! Those are some gorgeous sweaters you'll be tackling. I'm sure they'll all turn out perfectly.
Salina has been on my to-knit list for *years*. I even have some chocolatey Felted Tweed for it. I can't wait to see yours!
Posted by: Amy at August 29, 2007 04:17 PMI love Salina, and it's been on my list for a while now, too. My knitting mojo has been pretty absent for the last few weeks though, so I'll just have to watch yours.
Posted by: Shanti at August 29, 2007 03:12 PMAhhh, Salina. I love the look of that pattern too, and have for ages. And I love Felted Tweed ..... you're a very bad influence Amelia!
Love
Helen
Lovely, felted tweed is in my top ten. With the weather so cool, it's a good time to start winter knitting, maybe even getting it finished before the really cold weather sets in. Mind you, we might have another mild winter!
Posted by: dawn at August 29, 2007 08:50 AMSalina looks lovely & so does Patricia. There's so many patterns out there that it's hard to make a decision.
Posted by: Ann at August 29, 2007 02:01 AMI knitted Salina in the same colour and I love it so much that I want to knit another one in treacle.
Cheers,
Tam
Oh yes ! Salina will be fabulous on you. I saw it recently in person on another knitting friend with a petite build like you and it looks great. Go for it !
Heather x
Posted by: Heather at August 28, 2007 10:08 PM