A garden within a garden and a mysterious geisha

I love all things small, miniature, detailed, dainty. I have this "pet" garden where I grow some herbs. It is a decorative kitchen garden of sorts. This year after the purchase of my long desired miniature Japanese maple I wound up doing this little aside in my already small garden.  I have been looking for a figure to sit there, and I found her. Perfect size, lovely pensive geisha. BUT then I found a signature. (A. Giannelli 1988)Then I did some research. Then I discovered that yes, she is a reproduction, but of a work by a very famous Italian sculptor. She isn't just a souvenir from China Town or something like that. She is more of a Museum shop type of souvenir and she is from Italy. SO I don't know if she can sit in my garden anymore. I have to find out of she is Alabaster, in which case she is too delicate for the elements... she looks really pretty on my bookshelf too. :)

Kiku

I started this shawl about a year ago. I sped through the first chart and then cast it aside in disgust when the pattern told me to knit the same chart a second time! Arg. It just made me bored and cranky. Anyway, I decided to pick it up and finish it. It is a really nice pattern actually. Well written and interesting to knit. I think it is going to be quite large. I actually like large, but we are talking about Madelinetosh Prairie here. It is a magical yarn, but it is also lace weight. Large project+small yarn+ small needles=Ugh! Lots of knitting!

Is summer coming?

I think I have found a pattern for this fabric! I wanted a dress from this fabric, but I only have 2 yards. What was I thinking? Two yards for a dress? Not enough. But... it is 60 inches wide. Whew. It is just begging to be a little sundress. I think it will have to be C. I like the little cap sleeves.

April 10th Addendum:
Simplicity 8735 altered drastically from its original form. From costume to undress. Can it be done? Only time will tell.

Back in the saddle

I thought it was time to do some blogging again. I have been working on a few knitting projects that are big and long, and I like to have a record of what I do. Just looking at a piece really offers no idea of how much time and attention goes into it.
I have also been slowly reorganizing myself. I have very little space to work with, no craft room here, so I am trying to be savvy with space. I kept pulling my yarn out of my stash to look at and be inspired, so I decided to just display it. I had this lovely basket already and it is just the right size and depth for yarn. This is where I like to spend my free time and I have all I need close at hand including inspiration!

Japanese Feathers

 

 

 

Shimmering Cranes

This is one of those "journey" pieces. I had a gift of money which to me, at the time, meant an indulgence of yarn. I wanted something special that I could wear to the opera with my vintage jewels. This in itself is a jewel. It is double knit with Shibui Silk Cloud and Habu textiles 100% Bamboo  This was a really lovely pairing. You can see how each yarn has it's own shimmer to it. Combined they are just magic! It almost glows in the right light and it has that slight fluffiness about it. It is lovely to wear. One of those things that just makes you feel luxurious. 

The pattern of the lace is called Japanese Feathers. The yarns are both imported from Japan. It all just works. I love all things Japanese, so this is a good one.  I did make it to wear to the opera, but I discovered that it also really complimented my black faux fur coat.

Duchess is Done!

I finished this a couple of weeks ago and have been wearing it and enjoying how pretty it is. It is just what I wanted. Love the yarn, love the color, love the pattern. Love, love, love. This pattern is such fun. If you like doing lace work I highly recommend. It is just enough challenge to be fun, but not so tough that it is frustrating. That, to me, is an ideal pattern. I did end up blocking this twice. I wasn't content with it the first time, I wanted the lace to really be wide, if that is the right way to put it. I wanted it to really show, and be as big as possible. This is the first time I have used blocking wires on a project and was so glad to have them. It made it so much easier to stretch and keep the shape at the same time. I think my favorite part of this shawl is the scalloped bottom. So pretty!

Almost half way there

I feel like I am making good progress on this one. For some reason shawls are easy for me. I am really looking forward to getting this one done. I just want to see it when it is all blocked. I think I will have to take the plunge and get some blocking wires. From what I have read online this one requires some pretty serious stretching! I have made the largest size. I can't wait to see just how large that is!