I try to remain as neutral as possible with the Project Spectrum colors, but I knew that EARTH was going to be a favorite early on. The colors of the earth just sing to me. I love the deepness of brown and the vibrancy of greens. I just feel “at home” with the EARTH colors…

I photographed, I cooked, I knit, and I crafted with the colors. I observed them everywhere I went – it is hard not to with the beauty of spring pulsating all around me!

Which of the elements speak to you the most?

While EARTH is definitely my number one, I am also quite fond of the WATER element. Blue has been a favorite of mine since I was a young girl, and looking at my past projects, it seems to be the color that I have used most in my own crafting, at least in sweater knitting…

Amazing photos by Kris, who was there when the little bee came to the collard flowers.

Steady progress on this sock. I won’t finish it before the next element shift of Project Spectrum, but I am not in a hurry. I love seeing the pattern develop.

One of the small succulents in my indoor rock garden. Growing so green and lush.

:: Slow is beautiful ::

I have some great books on the shelf. A lot less than I used to. I culled a few months ago, and now the real gems remain. I saved several books to read in this element of Project Spectrum, but until recently, I have not had much time or desire to sit down and read. I had plans to get through some of the gardening books and nature and adventure books on the shelf. They can wait for another day – those topics are always of interest to me.  I think I am just an earthy girl.

I am reading The Wild Trees by Richard Preston, right now. The book centers on the amazing coastal redwood trees found on in the Pacific Northwest, and the botanists that study them. The book reminds me of our trip to Muir Woods a few years ago, and the majestic, awesome (and every other superlative you can think of) experience of viewing these giant living things. According to the book, the trees of Muir Woods are barely half the size of the trees you can see in some of the other parks and wilderness areas in the north. His vivid descriptions definitely make me think about a backpacking trip to see these wonders.

I am packing my bags and searching for another book for the trip. I have a few books that rose to the top, and I am leaning towards Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan. That guy could write out tax information, and I would read it. Luckily, this is not tax info, but rather the central thesis of “do plants rely on humans as much as we rely on them?” He uses several models to look into the question – tulips and apples among them.

Read any good books lately?

Some things just never get old. I started knitting cowls early in my knitting career, and more recently, I have been whipping them out left and right. They are perfect for stashbusting, and freeing up the space that one or two skeins take on the stash shelf.

…and with all of the hockey games I have been watching (Penguins are going to the Stanley Cup finals!), I have found the circular cowls to be the perfect knit! I can stashbust and cheer for my team. The newest cowl, however, does not belong to me; rather, it is a belated birthday gift for a very sweet new friend, who I will have the pleasure to meet next week. (But, of course, I had to try it on for size…)

Yarn: Artful Yarns Reality, #2397, 2 balls
Source: Imagiknit, 2006 SanFrancisco trip
Needles: Size US11 (16″) circulars

The yarn is a thick cable construction, and it was nice and smooshy. Perfect for a cowl. In terms of Project Spectrum, I thought that the colors were a perfect melding of fire and earth plus a hot pink stripe. Funny how that one just snuck in there. I was knitting away, not noticing the color striping, and wow, that pink stripe sticks out. I kind of love it though. Hope you like it too, Ing.

Many more cowls on the way. I have a project in mind for the upcoming trip that involves cowls, stashbusting, and Project Spectrum. I don’t want to pressure myself too much, but I think that Nova Scotia’s climate would be the perfect place to showcase some new cowls I am planning. I am not setting a goal, but I think it is quite possible that I could have a cowl for every two days of the trip. Think of the fun photo opportunities! I definitely have some pretty yarns to use for the remainder of the EARTH element, and the beginning of AIR (white, gray, yellow).

PS – Thank you SO much for your wonderful comments about my Minou Wrap. I am thrilled that it turned out so well. I am already thinking about new weaving projects!

Once the warp is tied up on the loom, it is possible to have a finished woven garment within a few hours. The longest stretch of time comes from threading the heddles and sleying the reed (not as violent of an act as it sounds, although it does involve a hook!)

I had virtually no problems with this yarn and warp combination – the tension stayed steady throughout, and it gave me a boost of confidence considering some of the other “learning experiences” I have had with the loom of late.

This time, I chose a very textural yarn, Pingouin Minou, that has been in the stash for some time. It is a thick-and-thin cotton/rayon blend with the little slubs of cotton, and the shiny ply of rayon. I picked it up in a trade last year from Sarah – but as to the provenance, I am not sure. The tag says “Made in Brazil”, but a Google search reveals very little, so I am assuming that it is long discontinued. Too bad, because it was definitely a treat to weave with…

Loaded up two episodes of This American Life podcast, set the pedals for a plain weave, and a few hours later, I had a finished shawl. Seven feet long, fifteen inches wide finished shawl. Weaving is meditation, but it is also production – it just goes so quickly compared to knitting!

I have to admit, this was yarn/warp initially slated to be a baby blanket. However, as I worked it up, I realized it was not the right kind of fabric for a baby – too drapey and with uneven textures. So, what kind of garment works well with drape and textures? hmmm… a wrap. A wrap for me. Perfect. (Baby can get booties or a bib, just like all the others!)

(More photos here)

Bonafide love for my new wrap. Not only is the color amazing, but the texture! I am definitely a happy weaver. The yarn definitely looks better in this form than sitting in a bag on my stash shelf!