Mossy Cottage Knits

Circle Marks the Spot

In online knitting forums or other blogs, I frequently read about special beaded or bejeweled stitch markers like this or this. (A Quick Etymological Aside: If it's "bejeweled," why isn't it "bebeaded?") While I appreciate these mini works of art, I don’t understand the practicality of using them. In my experience, stitch markers are eternally sproinking off the end of my needles into my couch, the Bermuda Rectangle. (Okay, okay, what actually happens is I can’t find them until I stand up and they cascade out of all my fat rumples). Using free or cheap plastic stitch markers, rubber bands for braces, twist-ties, or loops of yarn seems so much more economical. Keep in mind, though, that I'm not big on stitch markers in the first place. I'm constantly saying to myself “You know, you really should put a stitch marker there. It would make things sooooo much easier.” And I proceed merrily on my way without putting a stitch marker there. I can’t tell you how many times that thought crossed my mind when I was knitting the baby blanket swatch. Oh, wait, with the help of a little grade school math, I can. 33 rows; two places on each row where a stitch marker could go. 33 x 2 = 66. Yes, indeed, that thought crossed my mind 66 times.

Knitting Knews
The Rowanspun DK has proven to be a royal disappointment. It breaks at the slightest, and I mean slightest, provocation! Trust me—If you were to knit a sweater out of it, you would not want to sneeze or burp, unless you wanted to wear what would remain of the sweater down around your ankles. In my case, last night I gently snugged up a stitch and—snap! I frowned mightily, tinked a bit, started again with a new strand and—snap! Tink, knit—snap! Tink, knit—snap! Tink, knit—snap! Tinknitsnap! Tinknitsnap! Tinknitsnap! Into the garbage with you, paralyzed green octopus and ball of Rowanspun! Back to the greyish teal Pingouin DK!

Sent the chart for the Acoma Pattern off to Janine. I can't wait to see the results! Perhaps you'll let me post a picture, Janine?

Dye Garden Dyegest
I was honored recently to have the dye garden and my Clueless Natural Dyeing Experiments written up for the Seattle Knitter's Guild newsletter. The night before I left for San Diego I received an email from Mary, a Guild member who was a stranger to me at the time but who has since proven to be a genuinely warm and friendly person. Mary said she occasionally wrote articles for the newsletter and, much to my surprise, wanted to write one about my homegrown efforts. The catch was we had a teeny-weeny window in which to get the article written and submitted but we managed it, in between my trips to Torrey Pines Reserve, Old Town, a farmer's market at a winery, and the Welburn Gourd Farm; a neighborhood wine tasting; a picnic; twice-daily trips to the kids' school; and "girl chat" with my sister. Phew! Fortunately, my sister and brother-in-law have computers literally dotted all over the house so I could sit down at a moment's notice and natter with Mary about the article. Thank you, Mary, for thinking of me and putting together such a fun and flattering article! And thank you, sister and brother-in-law, for the liberal use of your computers!

Speaking of the dye garden, I am sad to report that it is starting to wind down for the fall. The strong rains we had recently had pretty much beat the bejeezus out of the flowers, most notably the hollyhocks, which is unfortunate since I had grand visions of dyeing a sizeable amount of yarn with the blossoms that were left. However, as always, nature keeps on giving, and K was able to gather this handful of seeds from our only two successful Cosmos "Bright Lights" plants. I wasn't able to dye with any this year because we had so few blossoms, but maybe next year... Also next year—indigo! Anyone out there know when I should start growing it for next year? Should I start it now?