First things first, don't forget to bid on the Mason Dixon Knitting 'All Noro afghan', being auctioned for Afghans For Afghans Charity. I don't want to name drop, but some of that Noro came directly from the house of Debbie Bliss. Here's your chance to not just own a Noro work of art that can keep you warm, but something that was once in the possession of the great Debbie herself (no, she didn't knit any of the squares, I just got some of the yarn in one of her workshops). I personally took part in knitting some of these squares and then in helping assemble this blanket using Noro yarns contributed by many Rowanettes ( Jill, Louise, Helen L., Monica W., Emma, Stéphanie), but don't let that fact that I did some of the knitting put you off. Here's your chance to take part in a good cause, as Kay said, it takes a lot of money to charter planes to deliver those afghans to the Afghans.
I should also add my thanks to everyone that knitted a square or sent some of their Noro to help make this 'all Noro' afghan a reality.
Aren't these pretty? They were contributed by Monica W.. all the way from Finland!
200(Sox)
The hubby's socks are done. Let's say I'm not going to be using Dale Tiur anytime soon again for socks. Don't get me wrong, the sock are lovely and warm. The mohair has a great sheen. The knitting hasn't been fun and the reality that they have to be hand-washed is only just sinking in...but hey, he loves 'em and they will keep his feet warm, so that's good enough for me... for the moment.
Thse photos are pre-blocking but that's because I finished them late in the evening and wanted to photograph them before they were worn.
Really that bit from gusset to toe, took forever.
OK, the art-y shoot. You know, it's difficult to photgraph this green. It tends to disappear into the foilage.
Have you read the Orchid Thief?
Orchid collectors are notorious for their passion obsession, no, compulsion to have an unique specifiment. Dr. Sian Lim was recently convicted of smuggling over 100 rare orchids into Heathrow from his native Malaysia. The fire that burns in an orchid collector's heart ... is not so different from a knitter and her stash!
February is orchid month at Kew Gardens. We were very fortunate to get tickets to one of their Orchid Evenings. The setting was so romantic. You get to wander around the Princess of Wales Conservatory. There was a nice selection of drinks (and a rather stingy selection of canapés).
The display this year was themed on art.... and everything was artfully displayed.
There was water ... and orchids in the middle..
a riot of colours everywhere ...
lots of varieties, clustered together.
Taking photos in the dark, really captured the splendour and exoticness of these beauties.
The yellow is so vibrant.. so lively...
each delicate petal could be ...
captured, when there aren't a lot of people with cameras ...
around, fighting to get ...
the same shots.
As we left, we saw this... a light projecting an orchid image on the pavement. This is my second picture, I didn't think to switch the flash off the first one... and flashing meant I got a well lit photograph of the pavement... and no orchid.
So if you have a chance to go, just do it...
Posted by atu at February 10, 2006 11:21 PMThanks so much for sharing those orchid pictures! Must have been an amazing experience.
And the socks turned out great!
The Orchid Thief is one of my favorite nutty-subculture-nonfiction romps. The very idea of orchid rustlers is just great.
Thanks for taking us to the orchid show with you. Beautimous, amazing, peculiar flowers they are.
And most of all, thank you for telling folks about the Noro afghan auction. Your vision infuses that beautiful afghan. xoxoxoxoxoxo!
Posted by: Ann at February 12, 2006 02:31 PMVery nice sox! I really like the boot picture. They remind me of my pups, sitting by the door waiting for you to take them out for a run!
Posted by: Petra at February 12, 2006 02:29 PMlovely socks!
but my heart is partial to the orchids. ;)
Posted by: zee at February 12, 2006 03:02 AMAh I love your honesty. The socks review made my own knitting feel more universal.
Read the Orchid Theif years ago when it first came out. Found it fascinating. Seems no one else did then.
Photos outstanding.
Posted by: kathy b at February 11, 2006 11:55 AMOooohs and Aaaahs were in my mind when reading about the orchids. I've been an orchid lover since the age of 11, first exotics, then the locals. Do you know we have some really cute, if small, orchids in our countries? I can spot them quite some distance away, and beware of me driving on small roads in the countryside in spring. I have shocked some friends while shouting "there! an Ophrys!!!" and stopping the car in a mad sort of way ;-). These sceneries in the glasshouse must have been really nice, thank you for sharing the moment, and the pictures : last one is the cherry one!
Yesterday i watched on Kay and Ann's blog, and saw the pictures, almost didn't remember these squares. But i spotted almost right away one of my favourites from you, the springy coloured with little cables. One can see it easily. Didn't see any of mine, but there were less than yours anyway. And i almost do not remember how they were. But i was glad to see how the bidding is doing well. It will surely make a happy house, as i'm sure we put a lot of love in each stitch.
And hurray for you, keeping hubby's feet warm and happy eventhough they are sooo long :-)
Bonne Marie of Chicknits just post a picture of her orchid today ... it was just divine! And yeah, the orchid projection is really cool!
Posted by: Agnes at February 11, 2006 04:39 AMThank you for the glorious orchid pics Polly! Truly lovely as are your Noro squares :)
Posted by: Debi at February 11, 2006 02:54 AMThanks for the provenance of those fantastic Noro squares! xox Kay
Posted by: Kay at February 11, 2006 12:30 AMOh, the orchid projection is very cool...
Posted by: Chris at February 10, 2006 11:57 PMthat's where we went when we had a knitting meetup at kew gdns. Aren't they so diverse as a species? And a bit like Triffid-y!
Dawn:)
Posted by: dawn at February 10, 2006 11:50 PMTotally sympathising with the long foot of the sock - Toby's are just the same. I love the orchid pictures; I find orchids fascinating but a little scary.
Posted by: Mary at February 10, 2006 11:34 PMThose socks look absolutely vast - I've never knitted a pair that big! How much yarn do they take? Orchids are beautiful and exotic - and they last a long time...and what's wrong with obsessions anyway, as long s they are sensible ones like fibre.....
Posted by: Jill at February 10, 2006 10:26 PM