Fits and starts, firsts and fifths
Happy 1st Day of Spring!!
Happy 5th Blogiversary to Me!! While there hasn't been a lot of spectacular (or even not spectacular) knitting on the ol' knitting blog of late, I thought I'd share 5 of my favorite (finished) knitted things from the last 5 years. In no particular order (Ravelry pattern links)...
Alice Starmore's St. Brigid, of course. Texture is my thing! Her book, Aran Knitting, still sits firmly atop my list of "Wants."
An adaptation of Shirley Paden's Cabled Shrug from Fall 2005 Interweave Knits that I like to call "Shirley Shrugs." I did some seriously fun short-row mods and made my inner geek by happy by charting it all in a spreadsheet.
Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton's Williamsro, from Noro: Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton Book 2. I knit this for the 2006 Knitting Olympics. Texture and color!
Inspired by an Alexandra Virgiel pattern for a raglan sweater called "Fibonacci," originally published in Magknits and now, apparently, lost; I call mine "Fib." I used nothing but leftovers from a sweater kit to knit this. Um, also charted -- both sequence and color -- in a spreadsheet.
Knitty's Argosy knit in Opal's Hundertwasser sock yarn; this one is "Der Blaue Mond." The Hundertwasser series makes me crazy happy. I love everything about that yarn -- the inspiration, the execution, the colors. I bought a box full of bare yarn and some dye, I was so inspired... a while back.
This quick little review is a fun exercise, and I'm feeling kind of excited and energized! Maybe this is just what I needed in order to jump-start the knitting and some other projects that have been swirling around -- like dyeing! A little time in the Finish or Frog It chamber would probably help -- and would coincide nicely with some of my other spring cleaning plans.
It's Spring!!
Thank you for reading my blog. While I generally suck at the reply to comments part of this enterprise, please know that every one is... something more than "read." I read every single one, and I feel them, too; I feel them very deeply. I have tried and done so many things as a direct result of blogging, it's mind boggling -- it's BLOGGLING! I have been inspired, lifted, grounded, supported, loved... Thank you.
Happy Blogiversary!!
Posted by: Chris | 20 March 2009 at 11:31 AM
Mmmmm love those cables - SO gorgeous!
Congrats on 5 years!
Posted by: Kath | 20 March 2009 at 11:42 AM
Isn't spring wonderful !!!! Love reading your blog. Really lovin the scarf and the striped sweater, the colors and style. Woohoo! It inspires me to move forward with knitting skills.
Oh yes, your photography is super, makes me want to go purchase a great camera, and shoot. :)
Posted by: M. | 20 March 2009 at 11:45 AM
Happy day, sweetie! Those projects are some of my favorites of yours, too.
Posted by: Carole | 20 March 2009 at 11:58 AM
I loved this -- it is such fun to review one's favorite... anythings. I had not noticed in the past how nicely the stripes in Fib match up, even across the sleeves; excellent work. (I am becoming a more knowledgeable knitter, apparently.)
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: kmkat | 20 March 2009 at 12:23 PM
Happy blogiversary Vicki!
Love the sweaters, they are so lovely (especially Brigid).
I just love your blog, you always give it straight up whether it be the good, the bad or the ugly. Your take on life and your photos are inspiring. Thank you!
Posted by: Cynthia | 20 March 2009 at 12:25 PM
Happy 5th! I remember each and every one of those sweaters. I think you've just invented a new word - bloggling - that is too cool! You trendsetter, you.
Posted by: Julia | 20 March 2009 at 12:36 PM
Happy blogiversary and happy spring! Love the cables and the hen-and-chickens. When the photo was still loading, it almost looked like a nest of baby birds with their beaks open to be fed ;)
Posted by: Joy | 20 March 2009 at 01:26 PM
Happy Blogaversary! And thanks for the smack upside the head about the first of Spring - since my kids were both young, on the first day of Spring and Autumn we'd stand eggs up on their ends to 'celebrate'. I would have missed it today if not for you!
Love your knitgoods show - I'm looking forward to snuffling around here and seeing some more of your work!!
Posted by: Tracy | 20 March 2009 at 02:22 PM
inspired, lifted, grounded, supported
and you do all those things for us too. Congratulations on this milestone, I hope there are many more.
Posted by: Judi | 20 March 2009 at 03:18 PM
Happy Blogiversary!!
Posted by: nova | 20 March 2009 at 07:48 PM
Happy Blogiversary! Love the review of your favorite projects - what a great idea.
Posted by: Jennifer | 21 March 2009 at 07:17 AM
Happy Blogiversary and thank you for being here, for being a friend and an inspiration!!
Posted by: margene | 21 March 2009 at 07:54 AM
Happy Blogiversary, Vicki. Thanks for inspiring and supporting my blogging start.
Posted by: Angie | 21 March 2009 at 11:01 AM
Happy Anniversary! I'm not much at commenting but have enjoyed your blog for probably 3 years now. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: MX | 21 March 2009 at 12:15 PM
Happy Bloggity-Blog Day. So glad you are my "classmate," my friend, my neighbor. XOXO
Posted by: Norma | 21 March 2009 at 12:55 PM
Thanks for writing, and especially for the photos. There is always an inspiring image over here.
Posted by: claudia | 21 March 2009 at 05:45 PM
What a great retrospectoscope!
You have done some amazing knitting, woman.
And I am so loving your photos these days.
Please keep doing what you're doing, when you want to do it.
Happy Blogiversary!
Posted by: Cathy-Cate | 21 March 2009 at 06:01 PM
Happy Blogiversary - I so enjoy the blog, the photos. Spring is springing here, too - was 150 miles south of here mid-week and was amazed by how much further along the plants, trees are down there - wanted my camera in hand and thought of you!
Posted by: Petunia | 22 March 2009 at 05:36 AM
OK - so I missed the real day. So sorry... You've made ate leat 4 of those years better for me so keep on doing what your doing when you can do it. I love all the projects but was only here for three of them!
Posted by: deb | 22 March 2009 at 04:02 PM
Happy Blogiversary!!!!
Posted by: Vera | 22 March 2009 at 05:17 PM
Congratulations! What a huge milestone and what a lot of lovely knitting. I'm relatively new to reading your blog so I'm just 'getting to know you'. Love your photos and your knitting. It's all beautiful.
I don't always reply to comments either - really just the ones that seem to warrant some sort of response or an answer to a question. I hope people don't mind that. I guess I base it on the fact that I don't want/expect replies every time I comment somewhere either. I know how time consuming it is so I appreciate it. I'd rather know the blogger was off knitting or writing or taking more photos!
Posted by: bells | 22 March 2009 at 09:06 PM
Happy Blogiversary! We're in the same 5-year class. I love all your favorite projects, but especially the St. Brigid. That is just spectacular.
Posted by: Lorette | 23 March 2009 at 02:01 PM
Your St Brigid is lovely! I've just started working on a very modified version of it, having fun.
Posted by: Stephannie | 26 March 2009 at 12:32 PM