cosmicpluto knits!

dig that thang up

So. Not so much knitting the last few days, due to many hours spent getting the garden set up! I neglected to take real “before” photos, but it was a huge mess. Took us more than a day to clean out the weeds and start digging!

Here’s a shot taken midday yesterday – on my brand new graduation-present camera, a Powershot SD750. We’d dug rows to about halfway across the plot.

Later on that day…all the rows dug, and beans and peas planted in the last row. Once the peas are done the cucumbers will go there…I’ve really got to get the trellis up before my trip (leaving next Sunday). See the rainbow?

And at the end of yesterday – lettuce planted in sort of the middle of things, being watered by the boyfriend. That rather large hole at the front there is where we’d buried a few bags of compost the night before (to prevent it from being stolen, although I don’t think it really would have been).

Not much else can go in the ground yet – it’s really a bit too chilly for the rest of things I want to plant: zucchini and summer squash, cucumber, tomatoes (have to wait to buy the seedlings anyway), watermelon, okra, eggplant. So for now we’re concentrating on the early crops and letting the rows weather a bit. The soil is extremely clay-y so we’re working in a lot of compost.

Knitting photos soon – I do have a bit to show!

snazzy and not so much

Snazzy: first ripe tomatoes from my garden! They’re stripey!

Snazzy: Almost done one Traveler’s stocking. Soooo pretty. I’m using my own hand-dyed sock yarn and Knitpicks circs (fabulous for all those twists):

Snazzy: New Lantern Moon ebony circ, now available at Lettuce Knit! Oooooohhhhh.

Not so snazzy:

I’m sick. Blegh.

oh, the carnage

So I go outside this morning to water my plants, and what do I see?

A knocked over container (carrots, but they weren’t doing so hot anyway), and a hole dug pretty much all the way down to the bottom of the squash pot:

And then….the peppers. Oh, my precious, precious peppers!

Darn rascals got ‘em all. Dammit. At least there are flowers, so there can be more peppers. I guess I’ll have to put a cage around them! Argh!

Anyway. In FO news, I have some new socks all done.

Strange Little Mama socks
Pattern: basic, on 64 sts, short row heel
Yarn: Vesper sock yarn, Strange Little Mama
Needles: Addi Turbo US0
Finished: August 6, 2006

They’re a really good fit, nice and snug. And the turbos were fine for a plain stockinette sock, although picking up the short row wraps kind of sucked. Now, though, I have some Knitpicks circs and they rock! More on that tomorrow.

long-awaited FOs

At long last!

Supermerino Diamonds Cardigan
Pattern: my own (hope to have it up for sale in the next few weeks)
Yarn: Artyarns Supermerino…I think it was 10 skeins. From lettuce knit.
Needles: Denise US6
Finished: August 5, 2006

After months and months of sitting, this sweater is finally done. I don’t even remember when I started it…I got the yarn at Christmas, but I definitely didn’t cast on for a few months. And then the knitting was done, but I waited and waited to block it. And then there’s the buttons, which I finally put on today. I think I’m in a finishing mood, so more FOs to come soon!

Anyway, I love this sweater. Super, super comfy yarn that feels so good against the skin, and not itchy at ALL. Everything grew during blocking as I knew it would, so it fits perfectly now. A shot of the back, although a bit dark:

Although there’s no shaping in the body, it’s a close fit and hugs well anyway. The sleeves are nice and long, which I like. I can see wearing this a LOT. Plus, I know that Supermerino wears really well too, so not so much worrying about pilling!

Needs a snazzier name, though – suggestions? There may even be a prize involved, or something.

An FO from my garden, also long-awaited:

I harvested a good couple of burgundy beans from my container garden today! They are the most gorgeous, eggplant-y purple. Picked them a bit big, actually, but I haven’t been home much the last few days. There are quite a few more on the plants to pick in the next few days. And they turn green when you cook them! I had them briefly steamed, with my garlic broccoli and tofu tonight. Yum.

happy birthday (and belated blogiversary) to me

It’s my birthday, and I’m 22!

I also missed my second (!) blogiversary a week ago. Two years is a long time! Here’s a stat – I’ve got 541 posts, not including this one. Not a bad rate, overall.

Unfortunately I haven’t any knitting to show you today (I’m busy reknitting a sleeve…oy) so it’s going to have to be some photos of my container veggie garden!

It hasn’t been going super-duper well, but it’s been pretty darn good. Check out this eggplant, of which I’m immensely proud:

The photo was taken a few days ago – today I picked it, and ate it sauteed alongside some cherry tomatoes, basil and parmesan. Mmmm, fresh.

Tomato photos:

Unfortunately, I’ve been losing a couple of tomatoes…

Blossom end rot and some unknown critter. I’ve already taken some steps to help with the rot – organic fertilizer and eggshells. I really hope the next ones are okay! Luckily I’ve got other plants in other pots.

These peppers are interesting – they’re growing in a tri-cornered shape! Cool. My burgundy beans are also coming along, and I should have some to pick in just a few days.

Keep cool! And if you’re in the neighbourhood, I’m having birthday drinks at Utopia on College on Friday night and you’re invited! email me if you want more deets.