Sunday, May 14, 2006

Lucky Number 14

Happy Mother's Day!

Thank you, everyone, for all your kind words about the Provence pics. I love looking at them, too. And yes, Kristen, it's probably just as beautiful as you imagine it -- I can tell you it always exceeds my expectations. Those of you who have been lucky enough to spend more than a week there, how I envy you!

The only thing keeping me from being too nostalgic has been to finish the #14 lace v-neck pullover from VK by Kim Kotary.



For this size large, I didn't use the recommended yarn, but instead substituted with 6 skeins of Mont Blanc (100% cashmere) in Young Fawn, US 6 / 4mm needles, and a size E crochet hook. The Mont Blanc was right on gauge and there was no need to double up the yarn. Thanks to my friend V and the gals at Woolplay, I learned how to crochet properly specifically for this project -- and it is so worth the effort. And best of all, in cashmere it is fabulously soft and warm, like a hug that stays with you all day!

With 5 skeins, I got this far...



... and was tempted to stop there because it looked lovely as it was. But I decided to press on with an extra skein and I'm glad I did. The result is even better than I had imagined!

And just because I can, here are a few extra detail shots.







Thursday, May 04, 2006

A Week in Provence

... is never nearly enough, trust me. But fabulous therapy for the work-weary. Highly recommended. Though the best part, I must admit, was re-connecting with friends. Not acquaintances with whom you might simply spend lots of time, but real (Anne Shirley might say, 'bosom') friends. That sort of experience defies description; it is only felt. But the environment, at least, I can try to show you.

You know how some holidays are too beautiful to render in film or in words? This week in the south of France was like that. But for what it's worth, for you, here's a little glimpse. Come join me for a virtual walk...

I visited two of my dearest friends and their children in a thousand-year-old house, nestled in the hills overlooking the picturesque countryside of the Rhône Valley.



There is no way to summarize adequately centuries of history, so instead, here are a couple of random facts (and photos) for a bit of flavour. The trompe l'oeil windows were fashioned hundreds of years ago to get around an old 'window tax'.



The 'rationale' behind the tax was that since working folk spent daytime in the fields, they had no use for windows at home. The wealthy, on the other hand, who spent much of their time indoors, were the ones who stood to benefit most from having windows, and they had money to spare. Hence the tax. If you're a graduate of the Robin Hood School of Political Science, this would, of course, seem perfectly reasonable.

In the sixteenth century, a large wing of the house was once used in silk worm and silk production. A third of what remains of this area can be seen here. Just visible at the far corner is just one of the fireplaces used to keep the temperature optimal for the silk worms to do their thing.



The entire countryside is carved into vineyards, all of which produce Côtes du Rhône.



In these bucolic surroundings, who could possibly feel stressed?

On the grounds there was an old Victorian swimming hole...





... littered with lilypads



... and home to about 25 large and very loquacious frogs.



Having overdosed for months on paperwork and teleconferences, I could have sat under the trees and listened to the the breeze all afternoon. But lazy as you are, you're never sorry to take day trips anywhere in Provence, because everywhere is charming. Everywhere.

I won't bore you with the details. Instead, here are some assorted photos to impart a bit of ambience... Enjoy!

In Uzès:













The river Ardeche:



...where we sunbathed, picnicked, dangled our feet in the water (brrr!), startled some topless German sunbathers, and watched kayakers and canoeists row by.



Some stolen moments in the quiet medieval town of Aigues and elsewhere:



















So much to see! (And the FOOD! Of course, this is France. *sigh* Don't even get me started. I will, however, say this: YUM.) In the midst of all this, there is still, of course, time for knitting (here's just a bit more of the lace v-neck pullover, #14 from the current issue of Vogue Knitting):



*sigh* So peaceful.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Jackie's Clapotis and Di's Baby Blocks Rock!

I'm back! And gradually catching my breath (pics to follow, probably in the next couple of posts).

You know, I used to live for travel. I loved packing and taking that plane/train/automobile and disembarking someplace completely different. The intriguing world of travellers is a blur of bodies at rest and in motion. Except that my body is now more inclined to prefer rest than motion. At home, the closer the departure date gets, the less I feel like going. And once there, wherever it is that I've gone, the closer the return trip gets, the less I want to go home. And the inertia is more acute for the return trip.

The only explanation I have is that I always secretly dread the HUGE pile of paperwork that I know has been growing -- like bacteria in a petri dish -- on my desk at work. That's precisely what I'm wading through right now.

But for my own sanity I'm coming up for air for just a moment to show you these:

Jackie from North Carolina sent some terrific photos of her Clapotis for which she used 3 skeins of Estelle (100% cashmere) in Orion.







Read her entertaining play-by-play Clapotis adventure during the Knitting Olympics here and the Flickr photoset from start to finish.

She writes:

This yarn was an absolute dream to knit with--I love love love how patternless it was and the consistency of the color. Not to mention the softness!!! I followed your suggestion and threw the finished product into the dryer for a few minutes after I ironed it (no blocking needed!)--the fluffing made all the difference, too.

Jackie, thank you! And thanks for sharing your photos!

And a couple of posts ago I mentioned a mystery package I received from Di of Clementine's Shoes. Wanna see what was in it?



Some deliciously aromatic tea from Husk, yummmmmmy Green & Black's chocolate (there was more than these two bars, but I couldn't resist and ate it before I unearthed my camera) ... and... my new Favourite Things, Di's handknit and felted baby blocks:



They are so so soft and delightfully squishy, and her colour choices are simply spot on! Simple and sweet, but with a twist. I LOVE THEM. Who needs stress balls at work when you can have these?

Di, if you should ever decide to make more sets of these for babies, I am definitely buying some. For babies... or for my colleagues, who I'm sure will appreciate them just as much, if not more!

Thank you for such a terrific pick-me-up!