Plum Stitches

itty bitty sweater

Pattern:  February Sweater, by Elizabeth Zimmermann from the Knitter Almanac
Yarn:  Classic Elite, Fresco (wool/alpaca/mohair), used about 1 1/2 hanks
Needles:  Size 6 circular
Size:  this would fit a 0-3 month baby, to make bigger I'd bump up the needle size to 8
Notes:  I have some of this yarn left over and am going to try to make it a bit bigger to fit Phoebe, this one is a gift.  The more I knit this little sweater the more I love it.  You MUST try this if you've been debating making it, once you nail down the lace pattern it's quite simple.

My cat battle continues (I'm sure you're all bored with this chatter).  Chloe and I planted a few seeds this morning and I just looked out the window to see one of those rascals digging!  Taking my step-father's advice, I did sprinkle cayenne pepper along the access points, although I think these cats are invincible, some type of super hero cats.  Just wish they'd used another yard as a litter box.

resurfacing

I've pulled a little Harry Hoodini vanishing act over the past few weeks!  Not really sure what I've been up to, but I was hit pretty hard by allergies, which suddenly seem to be getting better.  Speaking of which, we were gone for the weekend and left a window open a crack and I just noticed that everything in our living room seems to be covered with a thin layer of pollen.  Yuck.

Thanks for all the cat advice!  The cats we have in our back garden are the neighborhood feral cats.  Our block includes the police department and I've heard from neighbors that the police are actually the ones that feed these darn cats.  One of them has been in heat for the past week, so we've been enduring her moans.   On the plus side, our Honeysuckle is blooming and some of my plants are really starting to fill in.  Especially the Clematis.  So, despite the cat issues, things are growing.

This past weekend in keeping with tradition, we celebrated Jim's birthday at the beach.  Lovely weather overall even if it was a bit cool.



Didn't realize how late it was!  I have to run, but I'll be back tomorrow with some knitting updates, finally!

digging in the dirt

This coming weekend we plan to build the raised bed garden at the beach.  We seem to have all of the structural aspects of building it under control.  Initially we were going to have dirt delivered to fill it, but we've modified from the original plans and now it will be approximately 3'x 6', so we may not end up needing dirt delivered.

Everyone is concerned about the maintenance of it, but somehow in my mind that will be minimal.  There's currently a small circular garden with tomatoes and herbs that gets maintained and despite terrible soil seems to thrive.  Am I crazy?  Our plan is to grow tomatoes, herbs and a few other vegetables.  Any suggestions?

The first year we moved into our house, I bought a few tomato plants.  They did ok, but the first time I found one of these tomato worms I almost had a heart attack.  Yuck.  That was the end of tomato growing days, at least in our garden at home.

I had a very nice Mother's Day, managed to do a final spring clean up in the back  and run around like crazy.  If you look closely and squint you can see that there are some plants growing between the stones.

• Our latest dilemma is to get the feral cats that live in our block from using our beds as their own personal litter box.  I've tried unsuccessfully:

-Coffee grounds

-Mulch (although in truth it's the Coast of Maine Lobster mulch, I've heard bark mulch works much better)

-Shake away

I'm thinking of putting chicken wire up along a few access points along our fence so they can't hop down.  And I did see this contraption at Gardeners Supply.  So frustrating!

garter stitch matinee jacket

Phew.  Ever have one of those projects that goes on forever?  This has been the thorn in my side for two months.  No idea why this took me so long, given I knit it in one piece and it's garter stitch.  Well, the good news is that it's done and I can move on to something else!

Pattern:  Debbie Bliss, Garter Stitch Matinee Jacket from Baby Cashmerino 2
Yarn:  Plymouth Yarn Company, Happy Feet
Needles:  Size 3 circular
Size:  6-9 months
Notes:  I did this in one piece starting from the back.  Really pretty easy to figure out and the best part was the minimal seaming at the end.  I made an i-cord for the waist instead of the ribbon used in the pattern.  Also, I think this sock yarn will work really well - it's not as luxurious as the Baby Cashmerino, but it's certainly durable for a baby.

the catskills

I'm regrouping after spending three child-free nights in The Catskills for a good friend's wedding.  Despite years of driving right through the Catskills, either on our way to visit relatives in New Jersey or traveling north to Vermont, I've never spent much time there. 

It was gorgeous and so close! 

On Saturday, we headed to Hyde Park, stopping at The Vanderbilt Mansion.  I must admit I was a bit disappointed - they charge $14/person to tour the grounds and there's not much to see.  Although it's a beautiful view of the Hudson River, they really don't do much to maintain the grounds other than mow the lawn.  At least that was my impression.

We made a stop at CIA, thinking we could grab lunch at one of the restaurants on campus - a bust.  I suppose we were a bit naive in thinking we could get in without a a reservation.  But, the grounds at CIA and the buildings were really pretty.  My favorite was the Wisteria growing around the entrance to Roth Hall.  And the smell of the Wisteria was intoxicating.

This week is teacher appreciation week at Chloe's school.  We had to bring in a flower for each of her teachers and I was thrilled to find enough Tulips, Rununculas and Cosmos in our backyard to bring in.  Maybe this year I'm on my way to having that cutting garden.  Maybe.