The leafy viney pullover has been placed into hibernation. I'd begun to lose faith in my decision to go an extra repeat, and anyway, there are too many present and future babies in my life to stress about inches upon endless inches of reverse stockinette on circular needles. Instead I started a February Sweater [Ravelry], for an undisclosed recipient, which I probably should not post here in the name of preserving surprises, but I can't resist, and anyway, I don't think the mama or papa of this recipient reads here at F & P.
Chris said this sweater was taking me longer than he expected. It's hilarious to me how much he has picked up in the way of observations like this, while claiming to have little idea of what is actually going on when I knit. I told him that lace sometimes takes longer to cover the same ground as simpler stitchery, and this sweater is no exception. It's one of those pieces that will be warm and bulky, despite being lacy. I'm a little worried about subjecting baby to 1/2 alpaca 1/2 wool, but maybe it will toughen her up.
In other news, yesterday we visited Stone Barns Center and Blue Hill at Stone Barns on the Rockefeller Estate in Westchester County. We took the livestock tour and bonded in the woods with some piglets, including this friendly gal:
Thankfully, the restaurant didn't serve us pork, though the whole idea of the livestock tour is I think to reinforce the idea that it's okay to eat animals that are sustainably and humanely raised. Stone Barns is an impressive place. My sense is they have ridden the wave of increasing interest in sustainable and local agriculture with financial aplomb. Good for them. And the meal we ate was nothing short of amazing. Here are some more pictures, including more v. kewt piglets.
On the subject of local and sustainable agriculture, two more things:
1. Our dear old friends Clayton & Kendra, master and mistress of Fail Better Farm in Montville, Maine, have started a blog and a CSA. Be sure to check it out if you live nearby!
2. I leave you with this week's haul from the Grand Army Plaza greenmarket:
From top left: chard, snapdragons, eggs, gooseberries, summer squash.
Posted by jess at July 7, 2008 9:41 PM | TrackBackEvery time I see that February sweater, I like it more and more, and this is no exception: well done! It's gorgeous. That's nice that Chris can now make such penetrating observations about your knitting--you've got a keeper, there. ;)
Go eat your gooseberries!
This is perfectly lovely, and reminds me of the heirloom sweaters my grandmother and aunts gave us when we were little. What yarn are you using for it? It looks perfect for this pattern. Thanks for the inspiration. Now the big question will be do I make the February sweater for one of my tiny friends, or do I make the Lady version for me??
Posted by: christine at July 8, 2008 7:41 AMOh my that chard looks good to me right now. Do you have the Chez Panisse vegetable cookbook? It has the best simple recipes.
Posted by: Heather at July 8, 2008 8:28 AMI have never had better eggs in my life than we purchased at Stone Barns farmer's market. I will be trying to duplicate the experience for my entire life.
Posted by: kaitlyn at July 8, 2008 8:46 AMI love the soft green you picked for the FBJ. And it looks like you scored at the farmer's market :) Gooseberries? Wow!
Posted by: Veronique at July 8, 2008 9:08 AMDe-lurking to quickly let you know how much I like your blog, which I found through friends of friends of friends blogs. I am currently knitting the February Sweater. Just in the beginning stages with all the yoke increases, and am really enjoying the pattern so far. Your completed piece is beautiful. I love the natural yarn.
Posted by: Holli at July 8, 2008 9:12 AMIt's surprising to me that we haven't run into each other at the farmer's market yet--we're there almost every saturday too! :)
great february sweater! I'm thinking of making a boy version myself very soon (no lace--do you think that would work?)
Posted by: maya at July 8, 2008 9:37 AMDo share your plans for the gooseberries! I've never had them and would be more likely to pick them up if I had a clue how to use them! The FBJ is looking great! I'm sure the recipient's parents will be pleased.
Posted by: Lisa at July 8, 2008 1:13 PMI love that february baby sweater but have no baby girls to knit it for. Also, I'm jealous of those gooseberries...yum.
Posted by: Mama Urchin at July 8, 2008 3:53 PMoooh, we got the same rainbow chard from the green market. it was so good! KP cooked it a little longer than he normally does and it lost a lot of the bitterness. much better.
Posted by: gleek at July 8, 2008 7:40 PMLovely post.
It always cheers me no end to hear of humane farming, thanks :)
It hardens my resolve every time I'm faced with the same question at the supermarket;'Do I need to spend almost twice as much for the organic milk'? And the answer is of course yes! I may feel constantly broke, but my milk comes from happy cows dammit! ;)
Cute piglet!
Love the colour you chose for the feb sweater.
Posted by: schrodinger at July 10, 2008 8:35 PMI love the Feb. sweater. Where did you find the pattern? I have a new niece, which is almost one month old. I thought that sweater would make a great Christmas gift. If I start now I may have it made by Christmas.
Thanks
leah
Hear, hear for humanely raised pork!
Posted by: jessie at July 24, 2008 6:53 AMwhat beautiful farmer's market bounty! i love the market here in the summer... every week it blows my mind. i need to start checking out the BK market now instead of union square :)