Deferred gratification

There I was zooming along nicely with my Rusted Root. It was knitting up so quickly that I thought I might get it completed by the weekend and get some instant gratification. But that was not to be. I knew all along that I didn't have enough yarn. When I bought the yarn I had the short sleeve version in mind. It was only once I started knitting that I realised I would get a lot more wear out of it if I made a long sleeve version. But I did think that I would get the body done and only have to buy extra yarn for the sleeves. Not so!



And, of course, because I live in the bush, far from shops, I will just have to wait a while before I get the opportunity to purchase more yarn.

So, now I have cast on this:



I love working with this yarn, Bendigo Woollen Mills Miami (unfortunately only available at the mill shop). I love the short colour changes and spend most of my time wondering whether the colour on my finger will match the colour of the stitch about to be knitted. (I'm easily amused).

Oh, you want to know what I'm knitting? Well someone out there probably has a fair idea. It will all be revealed in the fullness of time.

We are off on a short holiday this weekend. We've decided to drive to South Australia. I should be back by the end of the next weekend.

FO: German Dancing Socks II

HOORAY! The socks are done:



Need I say more?

I've also managed to do a few more rows on Rusted Root. I've just started knitting the body. This jumper sure chews up the yarn in double quick time. Still it's rather nice to be working on something that is taking shape so quickly. And T, I agree, its good to be able to try it on as you go.

I just couldn't wait

I simply had to start a new project. No, the socks aren't finished yet. I have to wait until tomorrow to do another measure before completing the foot. I swear that boy grows an inch a week!

So, in the meantime, I've finished the secret project and it is blocking as I write this. Details and photos have to wait until it is gifted.

So the time was ripe for a new project and I felt like starting something for myself for a change. So I've cast on for the Rusted Root.



I'm knitting this in Patons Washed Haze with 3.75 mm circulars.

I've already ripped back several rows because I decided I didn't like the purl edging to the sleeves and I also don't want puffy short sleeves. Instead I'm going to knit long sleeves. Of course that means that I probably don't have enough yarn but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

This is my first top-down jumper and I'm very interested to see how it will unfold.

Turned heels

Finally, after miles of knitting, I have turned the heels!



Now begins the long slog along the foot. And I can assure you, it's a HUGE foot.

I can feel a serious bout of startitis coming on when these socks are done. I'm thinking lace, and a pair of socks for normal sized feet and perhaps an autumn jumper.

It's the little things in life...

...that can give so much pleasure. Like popping a sun warmed tomato straight into your mouth.



Whenever I experience that warm burst of intense flavour in my mouth I am always transported back to my childhood in Zambia. I can see my 4 year old self fossicking amongst the tomato plants looking for ripe tomatoes. The pungent smell of bruised tomato stems and the smell of damp red soil.

Never ending socks

At least that's how it feels at the moment. I knit and I knit; I knit in front of the telly, I knit in the car and even knitted at a dinner party the other night and it seems to be of no avail.



I'm still stuck on the legs. If I had been knitting a pair of socks for myself I would have turned the heel by now. But here I am still ploughing my way down the leg... sigh...

On a more interesting note. There are a couple of new kids on the online shopping block. Check out their delicious handspun. And for the spinners among you there is also some gorgeous batts in jewel colours.

Rain!

Over the past three days we have had 31.5 mm of rain. The bushfire threat has finally eased. All the fires except one have been contained. Finally we can start returning to a normal life.

I'm reveling in the damp, cold weather. Look at this lovely misty sky. This photo is taken from my front door.



I went looking for some puddles to show you but the earth is still so dry that all the rain is soaked away immediately. So I found a puddle in this bit of bark



and in this leaf.



And here are some raindrops!



The garden and the bush are already looking better and the air is heavy with the smell of eucalyptus. Bliss!