Return of the Native

I'm finally back, and what a trip that was! It's only been a few days, but I feel like the world has changed. Which I suppose it really has because this month, in a matter of a few short days the weather here turned from this:



to this:





... but I digress. Now that I've spammed you with my garden pics, back to the trip -- and especially for you, here is the obligatory cheesy Paris postcard:



Paris was... Paris, which is synonymous with lovely. "I love Paris in the springtime" is a hackneyed cliche, of course. But with good reason. There is always plenty to stimulate the imagination if only one is willing to look. I couldn't take you all on a leisurely walking tour of the city, but I did bring back some (completely random) pics to share.

Lunch on the terrasse of a Left Bank cafe:

along the Right Bank:

Practical Elegance: town hall and adjoining church in the 4th arrondissement.

Eglise de St-Eustache in Les Halles (because I am a sucker for gothic architecture):

and the big head outside (pity about the graffiti):

Somehow no matter what I do in Paris at some stage I always end up passing the Centre Pompidouin some involuntary act of homage. I don't find the architecture to be quite my cup of tea, but I like the idea of preserving the purity of the "inner temple" of contemporary art by routing all the building's waste into these huge external pipes:

And finally a sunny corner of Le Marais:


But for all the city's art and architecture one of the greatest bits about this trip was finally meeting Kate Gilbert, who is not only lovelier and wittier in the flesh but also the perfect host. I couldn't have asked for a more pleasant day walking, knitting, shopping (among other things, we swung by Le Bon Marche and happened upon a huge yarn sale, a vortex that few credit cards return from unused) and with such great company! I was also lucky enough to get a sneak peek at some patterns she's working on and I'm telling you, get your needles poised because there is some good stuff coming our way soon! :)

Let's see... after Paris there was a quick trip to London. Where it was raining. Sadly. But the city wasn't completely without its charm because it's home to my new goddaughter, Maud, who is already disarmingly sweet at 8 weeks.

(HERE BEGINNETH THE KNITTING PORTION OF THIS POST) You knew I had to get to it eventually, didn't you? ;)

This is the vintage cardigan I made and monogrammed for Maud:

and a close up of the matching booties:

The pattern used was from Erika Knight's Simple Knits for Cherished Babies which is a really terrific resource. I substituted Dale of Norway Baby Ull for whatever yarn it was that the pattern recommended and used a wee bit of my own silk (Scheherezade in colourway #35: Tender is the Night) for the crochet border and monogram. (I had considered embellishing with beads and ribbon but decided they would have been too dangerous as fatal fingerfoods.)

Now that I'm back, I've had some time in the studio and, among other things, have for you a number of new colourways:

Boone:



Muench:


Margaritaville:


and Hotel California (which I adore because it's so unapologetically and unabashedly orange!):


The latter is quickly turning into... another Clapotis:



Also finished is a fun and funky project that is soon to be a kit exclusive to Woolplay. Stay tuned for pics and info!