Enduring Beauty

This statute greets you as you exit the shuttle at the Getty Museum. Glistening in the sunlight it causes you to pause for a moment and fills you with anticipation as to what lies within. There are so many treasures that are within its walls and with the visiting exhibits you could easily see incredible works of Art with each visit. My purpose this visit was to stroll thru the gardens so that I could share them with you.

The garden itself is a work of art. I could not believe this composition, the way the succulents sparkled in the sunlight, the pop of a yellow poppy(?) that was on the wane draped so delicately across its neighbor. The vignette so fleeting, just a moment of beauty that I managed to capture on film, its moments like this that takes my breath away and fills me with awe.

The contrast between the vibrant Orange poppy against the delicate poppy (which reminds me of a petticoat) was so visually appealing and I was so happy that the bee was so accommodating to visit while I was taking this photo. The garden was simply abuzz with bees and they peacefully flew about the place their buzzing quietly filling the air and an ocean breeze wafted thru (causing many a blurred photo) .

The color on these Roses was a shocking Orange (the sun did wash them out a bit in the photo) its contrasting dark green leaves forming the perfect background for them.

On the other hand these Roses were quite hidden under a tree, the sunlight peaking thru the leaves, they looked like they were stretched out to gather up every bit of sunshine they could find. After my visit to the gardens today, I reflected on the joy that all plants bring to me, but especially the short lived beauty of the flowers, they can always bring a smile to my face.

FUTURE PROJECTS

I purchased the Interweave Knits for Spring 2009, I found the beautiful cardigan above its called Hannah Fettig's Whisper Cardigan. For some reason I don't feel intimated at the notion of knitting this and will be looking for the yarn - Morehouse Merino Lace (has anyone worked with this yarn?)

Please forgive this rather blurry photo, but my camera was having problems focusing on it and the sun was going down, so this is the best I could do. Its called Bettie's Lace Stockings, it incorporates calf shaping into the stocking so, it will definitely be a challenge. The yarn is Rowan 4 ply (yoohoo has anyone worked with this yarn?). I hope it will look as charming on me as it does in the photo. Now to think on the color and perhaps a pretty sundress to wear it with. If all goes well, I would wear them to have Tea at the Huntington Library or perhaps for an outdoor concert under the stars.

Appreciation

There is so much beauty in life - when one feels inspired to share its wonders, sometimes its a simple as looking up at the clouds when the sky is blue and realizing how good it feels to be alive. To feel a breeze as it brushes against your skin or to smell the flowers that can fill the air with their fragrance, especially on a hot day. This weekend was a scorcher, much too hot to knit, but fortunately for me, I can escape to the ocean where the air is clean and its scent fills the air, leaving you with a sense of well being, my lungs grateful for being able to take deep breaths of clean air. I may not have any knitting to share with you, but I wished to share my gratitude for everything I've been given, the ability to appreciate and to love life. Happy Knitting my friends!

Knitting Cotton Socks

Well I'm knitting my first pair of socks using a cotton blend. I purchased Risata from Knit Picks, its a blend of 42% Cotton, 39% Superwash Merino Wool, 13% Polyamide and 6% Elite Elastic. Its really different than knitting with wool, casting on with this yarn is a bit alarming as the yarn was unwinding and separated a bit so I had to be careful not to split it with the needles. After the first couple of rows the yarn tames down and knitting returns to normal. So I chose to knit the sock pictured below. The pattern is simply called Lace Cuff Anklets (Favorite Socks book) and here is my version below. To tell the truth, I'm really not that crazy about it, maybe it would look better in the green color. The pattern was interesting as it started off with a size 4 needle, then went down to size 3, and the body of the foot is knitted on size 2, its a good thing that I began expanding on my circular needles, Knit Picks has such affordable needles, its hard not to get a few each time I order. Great News though this may end up being the last photo of my feet in socks (Do I hear a collective YIPPEE!!!), no more pale legs and weird camera angles.

I splurged and bought a pair of sock blockers - so my photos will look ever so professional. (giggle) I was a little unsure about how this pattern would knit up and as a precaution I purchased three skeins of this yarn. So for now the second sock is on hold. Why - do you ask?

Because I plan to try this sock (just in a single color). The pattern is called Latvian Sock from Vogue's Ultimate Sock Book. I just cast on a few minutes ago (yes this skein also unwound and tried to split on me). And if all goes wel I will show you the sock on my next post. Then I feel that I will have reference point and be able to make a proper decision.

By the way does anyone have any suggestions on a decent cotton blend sock yarn (for lighter weight summer socks) any pattern suggestions would also be greatly appreciated? I've really grown to love sock knitting, being a slow knitter with limited time, it allows me to accomplish something. Egad, I can't even imagine knitting a sweater. Maybe during a vacation when I have loads of time on my hands. I can imagine myself sitting on a porch of a lovely cabin overlooking a valley full of trees, rocking and knitting, the aroma of a fresh baked apple pie drifting over the porch, my Standards curled up near me - Who Knows Maybe someday, it sounds like a pleasant way to live, simple. By the way my Blogiversary is coming up this June and I will have a contest, its been fun shopping for the prizes.