Yes. I really did put the squares in the sand. G was a bit freaked out about this and wanted to know which was the most important when he had to grab them up lest they drift into the sea to be lost forever. I said don’t worry. If they get wet they get wet. The yarn will dry. And the likelihood of them being lost in that crystal clear water was pretty slim and you know what? It’s yarn. That I knit. It’s not so precious. They’re squares for a blanket that should be used and loved and abused and it will last and if it doesn’t I’ll knit another one. At the heart of it, isn’t knitting a functional USEful craft? You need to use the stuff, not put it under glass. (Okay – maybe when it’s 100 years old and I’m dead and famous my family can leave it to a museum and put it under glass with the picture on the beach beside it, but not now.)
Before I left I couldn’t stop knitting squares, as you know, and I continued to knit pretty much through the entire vacation. After the first day on the beach I came up with a goal: six squares finished. Half the blanket. So I knit and I knit and I ran out of the dark green and moved onto the solid color squares and then I ran out of almost all the medium green so I knit my last square and had just enough left over for the middle of the 8th square. Hence the number in the title. That’s how much I’ve finished.
Borrowing from Lauren, I have the light sections to do. I’ve used all the green yarn I have and Tina’s going to make me some more and I love this project. The light green (limestone) seems to be knitting at a bigger gauge than the rest of it, so the squares where the light green is on the outside are a bit wonkier, but overall I think it’s FABULOUS. I originally thought it would be a test and then a gift and now I don’t know if I can part with it. Especially since I might find bits of sand in some of the squares every now and then and it will remind me of Anguilla. That would be really nice all cuddled up on a snowy winter night. Wouldn’t it? Could you give it away with memories like that knit into it? We’ll see.
While I wait for my new yarn to come, I’ve started a new sock. I’m taking a page from the genius that is Eunny and I’m not sure if I’m going to continue the socks I have on my needles right now so I started a new one. Shut up. I am SO allowed. Anyway, they’re going to be plain old sockinette socks because it seems all I can do these days is knit. But when I say plain old I’m totally lying.
What you’re seeing there in the crappy dark picture above (Sorry! No Anguilla light today. Only gray rain.) is HAND DYED, HANDSPUN SOCK YARN! Can you BELIEVE it! It’s all freaking BARBERPOLE! My heart can barely take it. Where did I find such gorgeous yarn? Well, the other day I was reading over at Amanda’s and she posted a picture of this new sock yarn she bought and my heart actually DID stop so I rushed over to Teyani’s to see if she had any left and thank god she did. The yarn is from Crown Mountain Farms and Teyani calls it Sock Hop yarn. All of the colorways are named after 50s Tunes. I bought Heard it Through the Grapevine (on the left in the picture above) and Heat Wave. I’ve started a sock in that. Can I tell you? THIS is what I want my spinning to be. I want to spin my own barberpole sock yarn. I fear I’m a long way off from this endeavor, but in the meantime, I’ll take one in each Sock Hop color! Thank you Teyani!
Thanks for all the entries in the MDK Peaches & Creme contest! It’s closed now and the entries are all really great (read them – seriously – they are so funny!) I’m going to have a hard time narrowing it down to ten. I’ll announce a winner when I get back. Yes. I’m off again tomorrow. I know. Just when I’m back I’m off – but absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? My grandmother’s 85th birthday party is on Sunday and it’s been planned for a while now so I’m going down to help my sister and visit with the family. I’ll be back sometime on Wednesday and I’ll try to check in before then. It gets kind of crazy down there so no promises. Orignally our vacation was planned for the first week of May so I didn’t think I’d be gone back to back, but there it is. See you on the flip side! Have a great weekend!
Very cool looking yarn. I must not click through links…I must not email Teyani to see if there is more…no….
Now we all want to knit green blankets, lay on the beach and find barber pole yarn!
it’s like lookin at quilt blocks 🙂
You made good progress on the blanket while playing in the sun and surf. I think you should keep it. Knitting is supposed to be useful, but it’s also a lot about the memories you knit into each stitch. That blanket holds memories of your wonderful vacation. You can knit another one to give away, if you must. I love the yarn and I’m with you – maybe someday we’ll be able to spin yarn like that. Someday.
The squares are wonderful! And doncha love the Sock Hop yarn? I have the Heard it Through the Grapevine colorway too and can’t wait to clear off some needles so I can co.
You are making such speedy progress. I think you and STR have a special combo magic.
oh, don’t give the blankie away! (unless it’s for me ;-)) it’s so beautiful and so special to you.
mmmmm sock yarn. did you have to mention it? eh? did you?
That’s great yarn. How does it feel?
Hi! The island piccies are simply magic. Sigh. I keep telling myself I do NOT like hot weather and sand and you went and posted all this gorgeosity. Vacation plans are in a total tailspin. (they were already, but it’s just that little bit worse now)
And the green. Well, green is my favorite color and the log cabin squares progress is fabulous and the way it looks made me gasp when I clicked over to see what you’ve been up to. I like the shot of the squares hanging under the umbrella the best.
Have fun!
I have been reading your blog for awhile, and I cna’t remember if I have ever commented before… I really enjoy your writing and your photographs, and esp. your knitting! Those squares are great, and I love your attitude about knitting in the sand. I think hand-made knitted items were meant to be used and loved and infused with memories. Hurrah!
What ever became of the Fishtail Lace socks you were knitting? I’d like to make a pair, and was hoping to see how yours turned out! Do you remember how many stitches you cast on, and what size needles you used?
Happy Birthday to your Grandpa!
Sorry–your Grandma!
I’m a long time lurker, first time poster…I just wanted to say looking at these squares makes me drool every time. Green is my favorite color and the three greens you’re using just look beautiful together. I can’t wait to see the finished project, just looking at the progress shots makes me want to start one of my own 🙂
I am really liking the merging of traditional quilt blocks and knitting….
Yo Cara! how nice to officially meet you at The Point this evening! and you are SO RIGHT – that handspun barberpole sock yarn is way way better than the picture represents it – I might just have to go over to that site and order some for m’self –
best,
margaret
I am loving the Log Cabin squares – nice work there, Cara!
so glad that you LOVE your handspun sock yarn – and thanks for the link! We’re rockin’ out here tonight at Crown Mountain Farms 🙂
We have a bunch of new colorways coming, so stay tuned. I love this yarn so much I can hardly put it down!
Also, for all your handspinning friends, I’m dyeing up the superwash roving in the same colorways, so they can spin their own. I’ll be posting on my blog soon about this.
Have a grand weekend – it must be a beautiful spring about now!
holy cow, woman, your beach photos are amaaaaaazing (as are the rest of the photos on the blog, BTW.) as i listen to the rain come STRAIGHT down on my damp, un-cozy house.
dammit. bed. comforter (or three). cheers!
How beautiful are your squares! I’ve just been reading MDK and The Quilts of Gee’s Bend and have been dreaming of doing a little log cabin knitting. What fun to pop over see what fun you’re having. It’s time for me to start knitting squares.
Oh my gosh! This post inspired me so much that I am commenting a second time – go me! Anyway, I’m trying to pick a pattern for my little sister’s off-to-college blanket, and I think this is the one. Thanks!