Marie's Birds

Our friend Marie was a great lover of birds, both real birds and art birds. Marie died a few years ago, at age 90-something. At some point — probably at many points — I admired this embroidery work. Marie said her English-born mother made or acquired it in her (the mother's) young adulthood.

It's the finest silk thread I've ever seen. The detail is astonishing. Each stitch is perfect. It has what appears to be French knots that are the size of a pencil tip. The colors are still vivid.

I'm honored that she decided to leave it to me. Next step: find some professional advice on how to conserve it.

A Roof Over Our Heads

When last we visited the Hut on this blog (late December), it looked liked this.

It now looks like this. Not only is there a new roof, a clump of trees has been removed.

Last weekend, the view from the porch looked like this. Hood Canal is underneath all of that fog.

Vested Interests

This is Mike's Tandoor vest. It's made from K1C2's Paint Box in a colorway called Tandoor. The ribbing is 1x1 and the body is 7x1. I am fortunate to have a husband who likes and likes to wear hand-knitted items. He's fortunate to work with some people who notice hand-knitted items and ooh and aah appropriately.

More Knitting on the Agenda

The idea of knitting from stash this year fell apart in the first month. My first purchases were at the Madrona Fiber Arts market: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Farmhouse and Zephyr wool-silk in Elderberry. Love 'em both. The Socks that Rock will become a Landscape scarf and the Zephyr will become a shawl to be determined.

My friend Bridget lured me to Black Funny Fibers. Black Bunny (a.k.a. Carol) has a great eye for color and a deft hand with dye. I told her I liked some yarn that she named Puppy. Ta-da! Sue's Puppy. This will become Sivia Harding's Diamond Fantasy Shawl.

New Lace Museum

One shining star in the lace knitting constellation is Lacis in Berkeley, California. It's a treasure of threads, needles, supplies and inspiration. But now, there's yet another reason to visit:

The Lacis Lace Museum.

I won't say more. Look for yourself.