Or: Poppy Fields Forever

Almost immediately after my last post, I suddenly got all fired up about the Road to Oz project, now subtitled "Poppy Fields Forever", and have made some great progress:

I have been combining both knit and crochet in this piece, using short rows for shaping in the knit sections, which I'd never done before. It's been a little tricky, because much of it is seed stitch, but it seems to be working. The advantage of crochet is that you can change directions anytime; building up an area at will, which is so much easier. I really like the way this is going; it's definitely a project that's pretty much telling me what it wants to be and how to get there. And, by the way; what it wants to be is a wall-hanging/shawl, in landscape mode.

The Road to Oz

The other night, we watched the Wizard of Oz again, and I was blown away by the glorious colors of the poppy fields.

So I immediately went searching through my stash; and this is what I've come up with so far:

I haven't a clue as to what form this will take, but one of the things I'm considering is a wrap that will double as a wallhanging. And I'm thinking about possibly crocheting this, or combining knit and crochet in one piece.

New Look, Pro or Con?

In response to a reader's request, I have changed the look of my blog to, hopefully, make it easier to read. I welcome your comments. Is it easier to read, or not; and is it more (or less) attractive to look at? Any thoughts?

Two Down & I'm Good to Go

I had the 2nd cataract surgery Monday, and except for the fact that they were running way behind, causing my blood presure to go sky high and needing to be medicated for it (or they wouldn't do the surgery) it went well. And I'm seeing faster results than with the first eye. Same brilliant colors, but now I can see them with both eyes; and same ability to read, knit and crochet, use the computer, and drive without glasses. I'll see the doctor in 2 weeks, to check whether or not I will need any glasses at all, or if I can just go as is.


The only drawback is still having to put drops in both eyes anywhere from 1 to 4 times daily for the next 4 weeks. Small price to pay for the greatly improved eyesight. I'll have to see how that translates when I start working glass again. The work on the glass studio is moving along nicely, and next week an old colleague of mine will come by to help us figure out the fuel and ventilation requirements. I am so looking forward to getting back to the torch. (I'm sure I've already said that, but it's true.)

In the meantime, I've been making progress on a number of projects:

The Pink, Blue, and Purple Layer Cake Vest 

also known as the 1000 Branches Vest, as it's a pared down version of the 1000 Branches Kimono 

The Night Sky Vest

which is a vest crocheted side to side, using multifibers and alternating stitches ala Jane Thornley. 

It's my own design, and presenting a challenge to match up the front sides; but I'm getting there. 

The Quick & Easy (also known as Quick & Dirty) Shawl

and lastly, I've started working on 
Hyundai, Here I Come, 

a shawl to wear in my husband's car to ward off the AC.

So, as you see, I've been, and am, keeping busy waiting for my glass studio. When it's ready, I'll probably suffer Fiber Withdrawal symptoms, but things could be worse.