Knitting Origami

aka Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket.

I am continually amazed when this:

 With a fold or two:

 becomes this:

Details: Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock Yarn (80% merino/20% nylon; machine washable). Custom dyed colorways: Circuitry and Motherboard. Sz 5 (3.75mm) circular needles.

This yarn has provided the world with: a pair of socks; a hat:

The Chase or Runner's Hat

and now this sweater. I still have most of the second skein of both colors left so I think this baby will be receiving a few more handknit items. 

The sweater is sewn up (just two seams at the shoulders) and I still need to find some buttons to finish it off. Fortunately the intended recipient isn't due to arrive until March 2014 so I have a bit of time to complete my search. 

Spider

I used to be pretty creeped out by spiders on principle. Then I attended a lecture by Larry Weber and began to find them rather fascinating. Doesn't mean I like to share my immediate living space with them, but I do now appreciate their beauty.

She has set up her web using the hops for one anchor and some blue 50 gallon barrels for another.  Contemplating naming her Charlotte, after all she is a Barn Spider, which was the model for E.B. White's main character.  Maybe she has befriended the chipmunks that live under the porch. Think I will find any writing tomorrow morning?

Hops, and a little yarn

Hop cones

from below

Three Irish Girls McClellan Lace (Merino/Bamboo blend)

What Have I Been Up To Anyway?!

It's been an interesting summer! I have been quite busy between work, volunteering and pacing/crewing for a friend who is running in the Gnarly Bandit series. 

I started a pair of socks on our way to Kettle Moraine 100 and was nearly finished with the first one when I tried it on. Hmmm.... pretty tough to get it past my heel/ankle. It otherwise fit great. I did a bit of research and thinking about what might be the issue. Then, on a commute where I was not only 'bridged' but also 'trained', I ripped back the entire sock so I could start over.

Reknitting the Chase Socks

It took a few days before I had a new plan and time to cast on. My theory is that the corrugated ribbing, which doesn't have much give, unlike traditional ribbing, is the cause. So I added 4 more stitches and started over. I have been taking my knitting everywhere with me, including onto the front porch, and have made some progress. Though the other night I spent at least an hour knitting and reknitting the same row due to repeated mistakes in implementing the pattern.  I have a couple of inches done now and will try them on again soon so as to not get so far along before discovering my error. 

While sitting on the porch I was struck by the beauty of the hop flowers.

Hop flowers

A closer look at the inflorescence

The plant covers the majority of the railing after climbing the 10-12 feet to the porch. It is a very effective screen and a haven for the chipmunk and birds that visit our feeder daily. 

I finally got out for a long run that was not part of pacing duties! Joined Jeff Allen and a host of Twin Cities runners at Taylors Falls, MN to explore trails on both sides of the river. Loved these stairs!

Steps carved into the rock at Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN