Long time no bloggy. Not terribly much knitting going on round these parts, apart from the hawt hawtness. This was the temp in my car leaving work on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively:
It got up to almost 110 yesterday, and as of noon today it’s 108, in the shade, according to my wee digital thermometer. Hawt. But, it’s a dry hawt. We are terribly fortunate to have AC. AC that is working, as it doesn’t always in extreme heat, or heavy rains, for that matter. We are given to understand that the kind folks at Southern California Edison apparently haven’t upgraded the infrastructure on our grid since 1933 or thereabouts. We are keeping it fairly warm of course, but that is completely tolerable compared to no AC at all.
To avoid the cabin fever I started to feel yesterday evening, I went for a stroll this morning, about 8-8:30. It was 90 already.
Big Pink has reverted to this:
T and I were discussing final sizes and how much additional yarn that would take. Initially, I was trying to minimize how much more yarn T would have to gather, although he was very up front about it being no big deal.
When it was clear the size he desired would take something like 10 more skeins, and he didn’t pause at that, I posited a complete change in direction. You see, earlier in the week I had picked up this pattern, Stash Buster Blanket, capitalizing on the 3-color tunisian crochet method from Stitch Diva:
From the beginning, I toyed with the idea of using solid complementary colors to tone down the variegation and provide a pleasing contrast. I showed this picture to T, and he said “oohhhh”. I expressed the idea of using the Nosegay variegated with a very light pink (Pretty Pink) and a medium pink (Rosebud) coordinating shades of Comfort and this technique. He was ALL over it. He’s diggin’ it so much, when I asked if he wanted to pass this by A, he said he was going to make it a surprise! So now, I’m waiting for the yarn as well as the hooks.
So I’m more interested in crochet these days. For certain things and certain textures. Also nice to have something new to learn! I think I am going to love the tunisian crochet.
In bits here and there, I’ve worked on the Tidepool socks. I’m almost at the turning-of-the-heel. Yay!
And I’ve started a new project, the Vine Lace Cardigan, new from SweaterBabe, in Rowan Polar in Stony.
This is going to be my Office Arctic Zone sweater. A bit oversized to fit over everything and in a neutral color to match everything. I liked this pattern right away, and when I checked it on Ravelry for FO’s, I thought the finished sweater looked great on every single person! Then I also noticed SweaterBabe’s Cables and Lace Kimono Wrap Cardigan, which also looked great in all the FOs, so I nabbed that too.
BTW, Nectar is in at The Knitting Garden!
Given the lack of exciting knit content, I nabbed a few shots from the garden. The hot-weather plants are having a grand old time, of course.
.
Glads, Knifofia sp. (Red Hot Poker), Buddleya davidii spp. (Butterfly Bush), and an aloe.
The Butterfly Bush in particular has gone crazy! That tallest bloom is near 8 feet. I think it looks like fireworks!
Thanks for the links! I’m sorry it’s so hot there! It’s in the 60’s here (Coast of Maine)! I love the new sweater and the socks. Glad to see your post again!
Your cardigan is going to be gorgeous!
I can’t believe one can be nostalgic for June Gloom, but I yam. Also, my brain has melted.
So, it appears, has the big pink blankie. Gotta say that crocheted baby blankets are the way to go, though they do take more yardage. But. So quick and easy! Good luck with v. 2.0.
Pretty cardi. I’ve probably said that to you a million times, but it’s true.
Stay cool!
We’ve been bemoaning the lack of heat here, but perhaps we should count our blessings. I couldn’t handle the temps you’re talking about.
I love those gladiolas. Not sure why, but I’ve never had them in my garden, yet I remember them very fondly from my parents’ gardens through the years.
As usual, I’m impressed by the range of projects you take on. I’m resolving to soon do a post on FOs and in-progress work around here — you’ve inspired me.
Good luck with baby blanket take 2
Have you picked up the Nectar yet?
Ugh! I do not envy the heat AT ALL. That is one thing I couldn’t stand when we had to move inland when we lived in So Cal.
The new baby blanket sounds pretty interesting! I know nothing of how to crochet, but I have heard about Tunisian crochet. Does it use different sorts of hooks?
Keep cool!
We only got to 101 here, but the A/C for two days never cooled the house to anything below 87. HAWT indeed! I sure hope the cooler weather promised for Monday is accurate. My A/C needs a break.
The Tunisian crochet sounds fun and I think your new idea will be perfect. I’m not a crochet kind of gal, but I’m very interested to see how this project turns out.
ugh – that is hot! but at least it isn’t humid!
lots of great new projects!
I recently saw the Vine Lace Cardigan – I love it, too. Can’t wait to see yours finished. I’ve already added it to my queue!
It was sweltering over the weekend! OMG!! I, too, miss June Gloom. WTF?
I’m glad it was frogged for a good reason! I love the new pattern direction and it is destined to be a treasured family heirloom. I can see why the yarn/cost really wasn’t a big deal – this is probably the only handknit blankets are they going to have – and they want it to be special.
[...] Wednesday and Thursday, respectively: It got up to almost 110 yesterday, and as of noon today it??™http://sknitty.wordpress.com/2008/06/21/hawt-2/Knitting Fever Yarn – Knitting Fever Yarn at Royal YarnsSave $5 on knitting fever yarn by joining [...]