Here's a design that has just come off the blocking board, photographed and posted in my Ravelry store:
Spring Garden Wrap, done in a cashmere/bamboo blend, and a fun lace pattern. This design was so reminscent of a freshly planted garden, with it's furrows, that I just had to photograph it in front of our just-blooming dogwood!
The design, knit with Spring Gate Farm's medium weight cashmere (80%)/bamboo (20%) in a gorgeous springy sage green is perfect for all-year wear: it's got the warmth of wool with the cooling/evaporative properties of bamboo so it will be comfortable all year-round. The ends are tied and then buttoned (don't you love that button?) for keeping it closed. The construction keeps the shawlette on your shoulders, too!
Yesterday's knitting retreat hosted by Dog House Yarns out at Graves Mountain was glorious! I drove out with a dear knitting friend, chatting the whole way (which was excellent as by the time I got there, I wasn't nervous or anxious at'all!), and although the day was overcast and a bit misty, it was gorgeous! This was the first time I'd been to Graves Mountain, but it definitely won't be my last ... especially since they are having their 1st Annual "Let's Get Naked: From Toes to Clothes" fiber festival on Saturday, April 30th.
The retreat itself was well attended -- almost 50 ladies of all ages knitting away while listening to me tell them all the wonderful facts about fiber (and NOT the breakfast kind). We then had an all-you-can-eat, traditional family-food lunch (meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables au gratin, spinach salad with fresh strawberries, homemade apple cake with ice cream, etc) .... what a feast! The afternoon sessions included a few break-out/small group sessions: I facilitated a "tips and tricks" session where ladies asked me how to fix this or that which of course led to more questions and more answers; I then did an overview of short-rows: when to use them and how to do them! It was great fun.
The best part: after spending a day with wonderful folks talking about one of my most favorite subjects .... I came home to a ready dinner, a clean house and a family who missed me! What more could I want?
Next weekend, it's off to the Olde Liberty Fibre Faire in Bedford!
Enjoy the journey
Mary C. Gildersleeve
By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
The pattern is on as a free download .... and should be available soon through Shokay's Design Circle ... this sample is knit in Shokay's gorgeous Yak/Bamboo blend called "Orient" ...
