Look what was waiting for me on the locker room bench! An angel trumpet flower (brugmansia). My friend is long over her romance with these beauties. She doesn’t expect to add them to her garden next year but has promised to harvest some seeds for me.
I, on the other hand, am still gaga over their size and exaggerated petal edges.
And have been for some time, apparently, as I shot this during last summer’s school residency picnic.
Back indoors, I have a blanket-knitting update:
It was a long-running internal debate: to keep on knitting or call the darn thing finished. I love the look of the geometric pattern and playing with the color choices for each band, but to be honest, the notion of hours and hours more of straight garter stitch, row after row, has my eyes rolling backwards in my head. It is exciting to see each border completed — two down, two to go.
Have you ever blocked an afghan or blanket? My Curves of Pursuit is knit with silky wool, if that suggests a particular technique. I was imagining pinning it into a perfect square — somehow, somewhere — and then misting it with a spray bottle before leaving it to dry. … Other suggestions?
Wishing you and yours a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. I’ll be at the garden center, if you’re in the neighborhood. Stop in and say hello!
I second Carol’s approach. It is worth it, then it will not need to be done again until you spill something on it!
The trumpet flower is gorgeous and you did a lovely job of capturing them! I envy your knitting ability and I’m glad you decided to stick with the blanket.
Thank you, Jenny! Is knitting on your wish list of things to do?
Lovely Lili! Breathtaking photo love the translucent quality of the peach petal.
Here’s how I block Silky Wool:
Soak 10 minutes in the sink or a dishpan filled with cool or warm water and a capful of Eucalan. Eucalan is a no-rinse wool wash, available at knitting stores. Squeeze gently to remove excess moisture, and roll up in a couple of big bath towels. Pin out every 2 to 3 inches on a clean sheet over carpeting or on styrofoam sheets and let dry completely. You can get six 13 1/2-inch by 48 inch styrofoam insulation sheets at home improvement stores for around $9. I use rust-proof stainless steel pins. Silky Wool drys fast – less than half a day. Good luck!
Thank you for this, Carol! Blocking a blanket, even though it’s not a large one, seems intimidating. But I think it will be worth the effort.
Lisa, these pictures are incredible. I am mesmerized by the angel trumpet flower, with the lace. Will it be featured in future Joy Card sets? My romance with it is just beginning.
Oh and the afghan with its colors and silky wool take me to another world of curling up with it.
Thanks for these delightful images and words. Oh the joy!
Happy 4th week-end.
thanks for the pictures ,those flowers are beautifull ,and i admire your knitting ,i tend to crochet blankets and knit smaller things .My daughter bought me some lovely flowers this week ,mixed carnations ,gypsophelia and yellow fresias ,i love fresia so they are in my bedroom in a copper jug on lacy cloth .As i live in england i cant call in but hope you have a lovely weekend .your home is such an inspiration ,thanks for sharing ,love pam