Four years of LollyKnitting Around. I can’t believe how time flies.

Sometimes, I can’t imagine my life without the blog, and in turn, all of you.  I am blessed to be a part of this vibrant community. I thank you so much for coming to visit and taking the time to share yourselves and your creativity.  You inspire me.

Many thanks, my friends~

**The above graphic is a wordle word cloud.  I entered many words:  things that I care about and love, places I have been and experiences I have had, and words that (I think) describe me.  If you make one, please let me know - I would love to see the visual representation of you!

It is a very rare occasion when I knit something that has had so little “face” time on this blog.  The Pintuck Tee has been steadily growing over the last few weeks, and on Friday night, I looked at it and knew that I could finish it soon.  So, once I set my mind to it…

Pattern: Pintuck Tee [rav link]
Yarn: Schulana Sojabama (bamboo/soy blend)
Source: The Loop in Halifax, NS
Needles: Size US 3 / 3.25mm

You may recall that I purchased this yarn in Nova Scotia.  Mimi made a beautiful Wyvern Wrap [rav] out of it, and when I talked to her at the shop in Halifax, I decided to take the plunge and try the 55/45 bamboo soy blend.  This pattern had recently come to my attention on Ravelry, and right there in the shop, we did the math, and I walked out with 7 balls of yarn specifically for this project. Beautiful gray with blue and purple flecks.  I should have picked up another ball (hindsight is 20/20, don’t you know) so that I could have added sleeves.  Honestly, I don’t wear too many tanks because… well, I don’t like my arms.  But, this one will get worn.  Maybe with a shrug on some occasions

Other than the sleeve, I also omitted the buttons on the little “bib” portion, favoring the open neckline more.

[More photos of Pintuck here]

This pattern was well-written, and the designer, Lien Ngo, incorporates some great techniques to keep the shaping and inserts interesting.  I really liked the short rows; they provided a crisp look on the armholes and neckline.

I have a feeling that the yarn is going to grow - I have heard that about bamboo and soy yarns.  That is why I chose the 37″ size, hoping that it would relax a little with wear.  I think it may get a little longer too.  Have you had this experience with these fibers?

It is nice to have such a timely knit - it is soft and cool to the touch and will be perfect for the hot summer days.

I may be behind, but I saw this meme making the rounds again (thanks to Andrea and Parikha) and remembered that I answered a similar one a few years ago… but, it kind of looked like fun, and since the answers are different this time, why not answer it myself.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

I was 17 and had just finished my junior year of high school. My family moved to Maryland from New Mexico in January of 1998, and while the transition was not too difficult, there were new things to get used to… like this cute boy in my American History class… and well, you may remember that story. The summer of ‘98 was low-key. I got a summer job doing HTML at a tech company, and we visited my family in Alabama. It was the last time we got to see my grandmother in a healthy state, as she got sick and passed away in 1999.

2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today the weekend?

• Company picnic at a nearby park today - so, my plan?  eat a little ice cream and play bingo.
• Sleep in tomorrow morning - till at least 7:00am.
• Work on my projects:  I have several knits near completion, and a new warp on the loom.
• Brunch with dear Bec, recipient of the afghan that I recently started working on again.
• More reading and (listening to) books - really enjoying this book and this audiobook right now.

3) Snacks I enjoy:

fresh fruits, ice cream, and yogurt

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

• Fiber/reading/yoga/writing/photography FULL time
• Pay off the house
• Give money to the family
• Help fund research and development for sustainable alternative energies (this would enable me to travel everywhere without having “greenie guilt“)
• Donate to an array of respectable organizations

5) Places I have lived:

I was born in Morristown, Tennessee.  We moved to Houston, Texas when I was very young, and my middle sister was born there.  I do have some vague memories of this time.  We then moved to Jackson, Mississippi for a short time before going to Phoenix, Arizona.  We moved to Worland, Wyoming where I started school.  My youngest sister was born there.  Then, we moved to Hedgesville, West Virginia where we stayed for three years before moving to Roswell, New Mexico.  I spent most of my “definitive” years of childhood in Roswell, so when asked where I grew up, I say New Mexico.  When I was 17, we moved to Crofton, Maryland.  For college, I lived in Baltimore, Maryland, and now Kris and I live in Columbia, Maryland.  I have lived in Maryland longer than any other place.  There are times I want to leave the hustle and bustle of the DC-area, but there are also some amazing things to do and see here - plus our jobs! - so we enjoy it overall.

6) Jobs I have had:

• Babysitter
• HTML editor
• Library Page
• Bookstore Manager
• Library Assistant
• Graduate Student (TA)
• Archivist

Photos above: 1) a very unique succulent plant in my small dish garden 2) fresh strawberries and peaches from the farmers’ market, now frozen for treats all year long 3) a sneak peek at Tess Designer Yarns new sock line - Twinkle Toes (silk, nylon, merino) and Baby Bunny (merino/angora/nylon)… perfect for the water element of Project Spectrum, no?

Lightly processed.  Undyed. 

Beautiful Cotswold handspun singles - from Sunrise Mercantile in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. 

I couldn’t believe that they were on the clearance shelf. 

Just looking at these things makes me think of airy lace and summery wraps - both knit and woven.

…and one of the other amazing souvenirs from Nova Scotia…

Moose shed their antlers naturally at certain time of the year.  This artisan collects the antlers and turned them in to beautiful buttons!

(Click here to see all of the lovely yarns that I picked up in Nova Scotia)

I could go faster.  But I do enjoy the thrill of pulling this afghan out every few months and adding new hexagons, changing the dimensions and the color sequencing every so slightly. 

The lovely Komb afghan always gets pushed to the bottom of the knitting pile.  Yet, when I pull it out, it always makes me smile.  I should work on it more often… especially because it is a gift.  A very belated gift.  The Jojoland Rhythm yarn is a constant surprise.  Until I seam it up, I am never quite sure how it will look.  I completed hexagon #20 last night.  That means I have about 40 more to go.  Since each hexagon can take the better part of an hour (sometimes 2 if I am paying attention to something else) there is already quite a bit of time invested in this afghan.   

An afghan that will need a very serious blocking in the end.  It is narrower than I expected it to be, so, after I finish the requisite number of hexagons, I will probably add some width with any leftover yarn.  I am thinking way ahead though…

I am taking things slow these days, in general.  I have been spending a lot of time in the garden and in the kitchen, truly enjoying the fruits (and veggies) of the season.  In fact, spending so much time outside seems to have caused a little problem… but, I am feeling okay.  I just take a lot of naps.  And in between those naps, I have been working a few rows of knitting and weaving.  The only things that seem to go fast around here?  the rate of reading (and listening to) books, and the fresh melons in the refrigerator.