Hip in Hemp finished...

Here is the finished skirt for Bronwyn, who felt that it was best shown if she perched on a bicycle rack and threw her arm back. The pattern is from Knitty.com, Summer '07 It is an easy knit and the Hempathy yarn is lovely to work with. I am reasonably happy with it. Bronwyn is suitably UNimpressed, but it's hard for her to get excited by clothing...she's not that type of girl...yet. Mind you, now that it is finished I can't help wishing that I had used brighter colours. Having said that, I used what I had in my stash, which is good. I was going for a summery, faded denim, beachy type of thing. She chose to wear it today and I missed out on getting some good pics at the park. She may never wear it again! It's not going to be useful for climbing trees, I can see it snagging on all the branches, but we shall see.

Here is a picture of my new "knitting perch" sun-lounger. I received it as a gift for Mother's Day. It will be my base of operations for the rest of summer. What more could I ask for (besides a small table with a frosty beverage perched on top. Note to self: get that magic bullet)? I actually found a small table in the alleyway yesterday (on the right). It was all alone hiding beside some garbage cans so I rescued it and put it up on the deck where it will enjoy a new life as a plant holder. And I must get a water-table or some other such distraction for the kids so that they can play while I watch over them from my reclined (well, semi-reclined if I am in a knitting or reading) position. When mummy is happy, everyone is happy...it's a win-win situation. And familial harmony is what I am all about.

I have put a couple of "Wintery" projects on hold. It's hard to knit a chunky sweater when it's beautiful sunshine outside..."Owlet" will have to wait. Having said that, it's probably a good idea to knit wintery stuff in summer so that I have them ready for Fall...but I just can't do it. So...I have begun work on a cardigan in Rowan Bamboo Tape. It is a nice soft yarn and knits up quite quickly. I've ummed and erred about the colour. I'm not sure if neutrals work on me. But I heard that neutrals are IN for this summer. So even if I look sick and washed out and blend into my clothing, at least I'll be in fashion. Anyway, it might work, so I'll go with it for now.

I also need to begin a denim-knit sweater for River. I've chosen Guernsey Frock by Kim Hargreaves (pictured below, except I'll knit River's in denim) from one of my old, old Rowan patten books, # 11. I have some Rowan Denim I'd like to knit into something. I feel quite proud that I'm actually using up stash and, although I am beginning a new project, I did actually finish one.

Having said that...you know how I said I like knitting with Hempathy? Well, I just found this pattern by Heidi Kirrmaier (via a cool blog, Junior Deluxe...thank you!) and Ravelry.

This is just the type of thing I'd like to make, lightweight and summery. So, good intentions aside, I think I feel a yarn purchase coming on...shhhh. And Heidi Kirrmaier has some great designs and I agree with Junior Deluxe, Heidi needs her own book. A website would be a start...just something worth considering.

I will have to take a trip to one of my favourite yarn stores here in Vancouver, Urban Yarns. The store just moved to new and improved surroundings so I need to check it out. I stepped in briefly the other week and I said, "Wow, you've changed the whole look of the store!". The woman in the store said, "Yes, this is a new store, we moved a block up the road". Oops, I am useless at noticing things. Anyway, it's a much brighter store so I won't have to hang out on the sidewalk with different yarns trying to figure out what the "real" colour is. Now to check out their Hempathy stash. Oh, I mean finish-off my cardigan...