On a summer Sunday

  Well, late spring really, but the first really warm weekend of the year.  I've had a lazy afternoon in the garden working on my Martha:

I'm sure the fronts are going more than twice the speed of the back, not sure why but I'm not complaining.  I see this pattern is featured in the new Simply Knitting magazine.  I think the photography and instructions are much clearer than in the Rowan Magazine - I suppose they have more space. The pieces look small but I have measured them and they seem about right.

After struggling to the end of Baclava, I've done two very different things.  First I felt the need to knit something I could finish in a couple of hours rather than a couple of years:

It's a great catnip toy called eggroll from Knitty.  Burma seems to like it, I'm not sure if the black and yellow colour scheme makes him chase it more or not!

Secondly I started planning another Fassett design. Whaaaat? I can't help myself!  I've promised my dad a KF sweater and to avoid chasing discontinued yarns again, and because I quite like it, I'm going to have a go at Stone Argyll from Rowan 34.  I understand Rowanspun DK is not being made any more so I want to at least collect those colours before it disappears.  I did swatch it (in different colours) for the Kaffe Fassett workshop I went to a couple of years ago.  It's not too bad to knit as the colours only change on every 12th row or so.  So far I have these and I've been kindly offered some oddments too.  I wonder if I can plan to get to the Liberty sale this summer?

Finally a non-knitting question.  I've lived in this house less than a year and some of the plants appearing in the garden are puzzling me.  Do any of you gardening experts know what this is and whether it is a weed?  Thanks!

(Added later)  Just identified my weed - soapwort.  It's a weed but traditionally used to make a mild soap or shampoo suitable for woollen cloth.  How fascinating!

Comments

[sam]

The cat is a lilac Burmese and he's a really gorgeous colour. Under that decorative pedigree exterior lurks the soul of a street moggie though - very territorial and likes going out and getting dirty.

[Karin]

Sam you are very brave, I think I wouldnever tackle KF.
Thank you for the eggroll link. I just invested in some catnip and now found the purrfect pattern! Thank you.
Martha looks great, seeing all these lovely Martha's has made me want to go out to yarn shop.

[donna]

hello sam, hope you had a good bank holiday, we went to west mids safari park,on a BANK HOLIDAY!! we must be mad, it was marks idea, and after taking 3 hours to look at animals [ and being in the car from 945 till 415 without getting out of the car] we were a bit stir crazy, but it was all worth it to see the white lions and white bengal tigers ,abs beautiful. though your burma is a very close second, are you sure you wouldnt like to swap for a big fat bald bellied cat? no? ok, see you soon, dx

[Kay]

Stone Argyll is such a great design. Lucky dad! xoxo Kay

[Amelia]

Mmm, I am with the girls, you are a far more courageous woman than me. Maybe that explains my aversion to colour. Your Martha looks great, it's encouraging me to think of casting that on some time soon. A. x

[P]

I'm with Ben, have you lost your mind? Yes it's gorgeous but do you see how many ends you'll going to have to darn in? Even for a father beloved ... you are clearly a much better daughter than I am.

[Tracy]

I was just going to say weed! Didn't know it's proper name though, so I've learnt something today. Martha is flying along, great colour too. I have to say, even though I'm a doggy person, I have fallen for Burma, especially after seeing how much he loves his eggroll. Is he really that gorgeous minky/beige colour?

[benedetta]

Martha is looking good! as for your ne KF endevour (have you lost your mind??!) email me about what you need, i might have some! and good luck!