Early Rides and a New Pattern

Hello readers! Last time I posted, we were gearing up for Christmas, and now - so swiftly does time fly when one is having fun - spring has sprung. (And then, of course, it changed its mind and retreated. No surprises there.)

In January we had a bit of this, though not nearly as much as we needed:

February surprised us all with balmy weather and the very early return of robins, Canada geese, and sandhill cranes. And this:

A February bike commute!

Hello, river trail:

Nice to see you floating over my shoulder, February moon:

And if that weren't treat enough, a week later this happened:

Another February bike commute - in shorts. I still can't quite believe it. Passing drivers were doubtless shielding their eyes from the glare of my legs, and I'm sure I heard Tallulah the Turtle mutter something about needing sunglasses, but no matter. It was glorious.

Unusually mild weather continued, leading to more rides in early March:

Now, alas, we're back to clouds and cold weather, with snow and spitting rain, but we press on undaunted. Spring has shown its mettle, and warmth and sunshine will return soon. Meanwhile, I solace myself with fresh chives and tarragon from the doorstep planter, for they too came back early this year.

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In other news, I've just published a new pattern! Meet the Squirreltail shawl:

Note: Pattern links will take you to my Ravelry store; you don't need to be a Ravelry member to buy a pattern there. If you're not comfortable using Ravelry, and you live in the US, you can contact me via email, or use the contact form at right, to request a pattern purchase through Paypal Goods and Services.

Squirreltail is a triangular shawl featuring modular sections worked Log-Cabin-style in varying stitch patterns, outlined with a striking embellishment technique that loops tall stitches together for a beautifully textural result. The braided-look embellishment rows, together with a rich edging of treble fans, evoke the wild grass for which the pattern is named. Squirreltail is suitable for solids, tonals, or long gradients. Choose a fingering or sportweight yarn.

The pattern is a doozy (and a good part of the reason I haven't blogged since December): 19 pages long, with charts and written instructions for two sizes, plus illustrations, link to a videotutorial, and extensive tips for customizing your shawl size.

The small (gradient) version was worked in Hobbii Azalea, a stranded sport weight cotton/acrylic yarn, color 07 Berry Rose. The shawl used about 862 yards, and measures 52" at the top edge x 25 1/2" at deepest point after blocking. This yarn was soft and pleasant to work with, though a bit splitty (as are all stranded yarns), and the finished shawl is drapey and comfortable. I've enjoyed wearing this version.

The large (grey) version was worked in Cascade Yarns Heritage Sock, a fingering weight superwash merino wool/nylon blend in color 5742 Silver Grey, a lovely tonal. Heritage Sock is a nicely springy yarn, and gives good stitch definition. The finished sample used about 1251 yards, and measures 68" x 31" after blocking. This shawl is so warm and cuddly, and I look forward to wearing it next winter.

I blocked both shawls by spritzing them with water to dampen, letting them sit for a little while so the moisture could permeate the yarn, then gently stretching them out on blocking mats to open the lace, using blocking wires and pins to keep them in shape as they dried. Both yarns blocked beautifully.

You can find the Squirreltail pattern here in my Ravelry store. Readers of this blog can enjoy 40% off the pattern through April 2, 2024, with code WILDGRASS at checkout.

Speaking of wild grass, here is the one that inspired this pattern's name:

Squirreltail (Elymus elymoides),
a wild rye. Photo copyright
My-Lan Le, used under
Creative Commons License CC-BY

Now that this pattern is off my plate, I hope to blog more often!

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Northern Hemisphere readers, was your winter unusually mild? Did spring arrive early where you live?

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April Sights and Sounds (and Crochet)

April in Wisconsin is a changeable time, when spring plays tug-of-war with a winter reluctant to yield. From brown fields still patchy with snow, and bare-branched trees standing sentinel over the dried stalks of last year's plants, the month progresses to a glory of vivid emerald grass under mists of soft-tinted baby leaves, with the first wildflowers advancing on meadow and wood.

The air of April is full of sound: the whistle and creak of frogs in the marsh, the eerie cry of loons on the lake, the strange ululation of returning sandhill cranes, and, over all, the sweet piercing song of red-winged blackbirds.

Birds are everywhere, in fact; flying, darting, swooping, stalking, and perching:

April skies can be sunny and blue, scarfed with cloud and edged with budding trees:

Or lowering with the threat of rain (and sometimes snow):

All sorts of things are sprouting and growing, like fungi: 

Scilla:

And soft flowery catkins:

Leaves that are but a tiny thought at the beginning of the month...

... thicken to a carpet in a matter of days:

Larches begin to think green thoughts:

In the marsh at their feet bloom the first kingcups:

Lambs appear in the fields (though they're a bit hard to spot in this photo):

And violets peep from the grass:

The winds of April can be cold and northerly, or soft and southerly. Either way, it's a wonderful time for walks and rides:

For pausing on bridges to admire greening banks and smooth mirror-like water:

And spying with delight the first blossoming trees peeping out from the edge of the woods, like serviceberry:

And wild plum:

Best of all is scanning the verge with the eyes of memory and hope, and seeing old wildflower friends appear in their accustomed spots. Here is one of my very favorites, Greek valerian (or Jacob's ladder):

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This April has seemed colder than ever. We had a taste of summerlike warmth on Easter weekend, but since then there have been more clouds than sun, with plenty of freezing nights and days of chilling wind. The violets in the yard are a bit pinched this year, but I still found enough for a mini bouquet to adorn the dining table:

(The tiny doily under the flowers was a gift from Kay many years ago. Thanks again, Kay!)

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April has been a busy design month for me, both at work and at home. I've been developing a Milflores Shawl variation with a deeper neck curve, and testing the pattern changes with this gorgeous 875-yard gradient cake:

I call this project A Plethora of Peonies

All that remains is to write the expanded instructions. If you already own the Milflores pattern, you'll get an automatic update that includes directions for the optional new shape. If you'd like to purchase the pattern now, and receive the update as soon as it comes out, visit my Ravelry store here. (Note: Some Ravelry users have reported visual stress, eyestrain, ocular migraines, and other neurological reactions since the site's redesign last year. If you are prone to any of these, please be careful.)

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There's also a new shawl design in the works. One sample is done, and the second should be finished this weekend. Here's a sneak peek:

Watch for a new pattern release in the coming week!

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In other news, we've had our first vaccine shots (yay!) and are scheduled to receive the second round next week. I had a definite (but brief) reaction to the first one, while Mr. M noticed very few symptoms. We're hoping round two goes well.

How has your April been?

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November Walks and Rides

It's hard to believe November is nearly over, yet here we are in Thanksgiving week.

The month, like the year, has so far been marked by waiting: waiting for an election; waiting for votes to be counted; waiting for resolution; waiting to see what the virus would do. And with the waiting, hoping: hoping for clear outcomes; hoping for peace and stability; hoping for truth to be proclaimed and recognized; hoping against hope that leaders would lead, and put people before politics or profit; hoping that hospitals would not be overwhelmed, nor medical personnel swamped, by a rising tide of illness.

While humans fret and fight their way to the end of this seemingly endless year, the earth, thank God, keeps turning. The seasons roll onward, and their ever-changing beauty provides solace and distraction from the affairs of men.

(How's that for a cheerful opening? The rest of the post will be better, I promise.)

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For me, November began with a walk in the cold clear air. The bright leaves of October had faded, and soft neutrals prevailed on this trail through the trees:

In defiance of the weather, a shivering mullein still bore one blossom:

On the other side of the woods, seedpods of white wild indigo stood out darkly against the prairie:

And tall grasses provided a pop of rusty red and white:

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The next day brought a stunning sunset of violet and rose:

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The day after that brought a ride! (And an election. But that wasn't nearly as much fun.)

In what felt like a measure of extra grace during a time of national stress, November warmed up for one golden week. On two days of that week, I was able to ride to work.

On the way in, I saw sandhill cranes biding their time in a field:

And on the way home, enjoyed the reddish light cast by the setting sun over river and lake:

The shorts and short sleeves are proof of just how warm it was:

What an unexpected treat in November, and what a great distraction from political events (or non-events).

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During the warm spell, I took another walk to the prairie restoration project. The temperature may have been summerlike, but grass, tree, and flower told a tale of fall:

Bird on a wire:

Sunset over the marsh:

The warmth lasted just one day longer before reverting to more typical November weather: cloudy, rainy, and cold. Many days passed before I took out my camera again.

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Last Friday I walked to the park, where oak leaves and dried grass made a pleasing contrast to the dark blue waters of the pond:

I stopped for a photo of a mysterious dried flower (possibly prairie onion?):

A few steps away was a flagpole, and on it the Stars and Stripes - tattered and tossed by conflicting winds, but still flying bravely:

May the nation she represents be governed by truth and characterized by courtesy, kindness, and concern for life at every stage.

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I've been working on some crochet tutorials which I hope to post soon. My crafting mojo is slowly wakening from its post-publishing dormancy, and I have several techniques to share. :)

Wishing a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving all who celebrate it! I am grateful for all of you.

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