June 09, 2008
The Rush Hour
To someone having to recognize plants, and put a name of a lot of them, spring is like an oasis in the desert. Finally, with the help of their flowers, it is possible to go through the keys of floras, and struggling through unfitting caracteristics, finally, give a name to a little flower, or a bigger one.
Hottonia palustris, a rare and delicate aquatic plant.
It is also a race, because there are so many places where lists of growing plants are needed, that it is difficult to keep up the pace of the passing flowering season. Plus, as you working with plants, and can put a name on them, you are a designated volunteer to guide people and show, and explain how to recognize this one from that one, and yes, they are different (not only because one is edible and the other is toxic). It is a pleasure, but it is also taking time on the identifying time (like, week ends and evening are also dedicated to the floras compulsing).
This spring is my first in Brittany as a "vegetalist" : I won't say botanist yet, or ever. The vegetation is almost completely different from the one I knew in the mediterranean area, and this was now 5 years ago. So I have forgotten a lot, and I was afraid I had forgotten everything. But it slowly comes back, and little by little, surrounded by the heavy books of identification, I feel more confident. Of course, I still have a lot to work on, of course.
Well in the meantime...I was able to finish&try&frog&startagain&finish the green pullover. And now it is finished I like it, more as a succeed after efforts than really a future favourite pullover of mine. It is woolly rememberance that with perseverance, one can achieve the goal.
So here it is :
Pattern : Reveal, Rowan Magazine nb 34
Yarn : Cork, 7 balls (less than the first attempt)
Easy? oh yes, it is an easy pattern, but beware to have to knit it a few times ;o)
How does it fit? Well, let's say I wouldn't go everywhere wearing it. It is looking a bit comfy under the arms for my taste. But given the relaxed dress code of my actual work environment, as soon as it is cold enough (like, as late as possible now), I'll be able to wear it plenty.
Not much more knitting apart from the Mystery Blanket club, still on, I was catching up last week end, and I am now eagerly waiting for my June Parcel. I am always a bit behind already because the parcels take more travelling time to come to me.
But here, meet my new friend :
An ewe from Renée's flock, a true little Ouessant sheep. She's not of the most usual color, she's a noisette, but I had resereved a fleece from another little friend who was the stickiest little sheep ever, and so lovely at it! He has been bottle-fed, and is very, very cuddly. Gary, that's his anme, was constantly behind me and/around me, trying to eat my shoes, or get attention. But he was already sheared, and his wool was too matted to be used. So I got the fleece from another one, it is great that I got a fleece at all, so I can try my hand at this new tool for my fiber addiction :
