Reef Madness and hyperbolic structures

Crocheting hyperbolic planes is my new means of filling idle time and procrastinating from finishing the boarder of Pi shawl.  Coral reef abounds with hyperbolic structures, and crochet is the only known means to demonstrate this natural phenomenon.  To me it doesn't get much better than combining feminine handicraft, biology, math, art, and activism. You can read about the project here.  Brilliant. 

These structures are so fluid, feminine, and absolutely mimic ocean life. I have experimented with several different algorithms and am fascinated to see the different forms taking shape. I'm participating in an installation at the Hopkins Marine Station in Monterey, CA. so this is just a tiny sneak peak.  I was kindly invited by these folks, and am so excited to be a part of it.
The structures work up pretty quickly, which only feeds my obsession. And keeps me from the last 100 or so stitches left to finish on the border of my beautiful Pi shawl. So close to being done! All this crocheting has prompted me to learn to knit with the yarn in my left hand (continental style), and I'm now well on my way to becoming a "switch knitter." The garter stitch border of Pi shawl has provided a great learning opportunity for that endeavor, but its been slow going and slightly frustrating. I feel like I'm starting over from scratch, though my tension is quite even and I am getting a bit faster. I know It'll be worth the effort in the end.
Loving the subtle color change. This is going to be beautiful...

With all this knitting, we may never go on a walk today.

And someone's not too happy about it... I just started with the lace portion on the outer edge of my shawl, and can't seem to put it down. The plain stockinette (all knit) rounds were getting so boring which is why it has taken me so long to get to this point. This project has suddenly taken on a new level of excitement. Seeing the lace take shape has me flying through round after round of 581 stitches. Only 14 or so more rounds before I start with the sideways lace border.

Pleading... trying to talk some sense into me.

I'm attempting to show my lace-rib split toe socks. O how I love them! And they are a necessity today, as it's gone from overcast to cool. So not your typical California summer day. Another reason to sit on the porch with a lap full of knitting instead of venturing out into the hills for a walk :)

Knitting and the Art of Car Maintenance.

I go to a car mechanic a little ways out of town. They take good care of me, and it's worth the extra few miles to get there. And wouldn't you know it. As my luck would have it, the most wonderful yarn shop has just opened next door to them!
So yesterday as my little car was getting worked on, I sat in the back corner of the yarn shop thumbing through their heaps of lovely pattern books. And I found a treasure worth bringing home: "A Gathering of Lace" by Meg Swansen (daughter of Elizabeth Zimmermann). Full of heirloom lace projects, finding this book will surely serve to enhance my own Era of Lace. Sprinkled throughout are tidbits of knitting references found in literature and poetry.

...and forward leans to catch the sight
of a man's face,
Gracefully sighing through the white
Flowery mantilla of lace.

D.H. Lawrence,

Drunk

I swoon every time I turn the page of this beautiful book. I may have gotten some new ideas about how I will finish my current pi shawl. Good day, indeed.

Quick Calculation.

I've made it to the final section of my local wool pi shawl. Each round now has 576 stitches and I'll do roughly 4o more rounds. That means only 23,040 stitches to go! Alas, the end is nigh! And then the fun can truly begin with the lace edging...

Productive Sunday.

While knitting this afternoon, I looked down and realized that my WIP (work in project) matches my Versailles tank! Then I realized that I haven't even blogged about poor Versailles yet! Oh my. I LOVE this tank. It's made in natural pima cotton (not dyed, this is the actual color of the cotton). I made it last summer, and perhaps the lace detail is what prompted my plunge into lace thereafter (sigh). Oh is it soft. And machine washable. And everytime I wash it, the color deepens. And best of all, it fits!


This shot was a mistake (I thought I was setting the self-timer), but it shows the front details clearly. I really like the side slits with a small lace motif on the front and back. The pattern calls for buttons to close the neckline, but I chose to leave it open.

You can barely see the tiny lace motif at the waistline in the back right. The larger lace motif was a lot of fun to make - other than the p3togTBL (purl 3 together through their backloops- yikes!) That wasn't easy.

When I got cold this afternoon- yes, I know it is July in Sonoma County, but the sun barely came out today - I had to add a layer. Celes was the closest thing nearby, and I think it looks lovely with the Versailles tank.


It's breaking some sort of rule to pair two handknits together, but see if I care :)

More Beach Knitting

Just back from a wonderful visit with family....


and of course I found some time for yarn! This pi shawl is growing slowly, but the simplicity of this one was great for travel. I also made a wool hat, but it was knit and gifted before I could get a picture. Hopefully I'll get a shot of it at some point.

Another Pi Shawl

Did I mention that I'm making another pi shawl? I am making it up as I go, which is a rare treat in the world of knitting. So far it is very simple... and made with the lovely local Bodega Pastures sportweight wool. This is going to be a great project to have along on my travels to the Midwest. Something about the simple spiral is so appealing to me right now.

Some swatching... Maybe I'll put a simple crochet border around it. Who knows?