Hello. Remember me? The other Rainey Sister? I haven’t posted much lately, for which I apologize. I haven’t been doing all that much knitting, and the major piece of knitting I was doing can’t be shared yet. But I do have a finished object to share: my Counterpane Blouse.
As you may remember, I was knitting it out of the specified yarn, Louet’s Euroflax Sport (100% linen). I was even knitting it in the Crabapple color way, just as it was shown in Interweave. (Hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?) Well, I will say again that I didn’t enjoy knitting with this yarn. I likened it to unwaxed dental floss. Twine or string if I was being kind. I’m used to my knitting looking fairly decent as I work on it, and I was dismayed at how horrible this looked while being knit. Many of you assured me, however, that it would soften and improve with washing and blocking and as usual you were right. The difference in drape and feel is pretty astonishing. So, I am much happier with this project than I was in the middle of it. I think it will be cute over jeans or cropped linen pants. (Lucy, as usual, eschews the pants.)
What else have I been doing today? Baking Monkey Bread for my son. I make a rich butter dough in my bread machine. After the first rising, I cut the dough into chunks, coat them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, and toss them into my Monkey Bread mold to rise again. Then, just before baking, I pour a mixture of melted butter and brown sugar over the dough.
It’s a very low calorie food — for me — since he’s already eaten most of it. Ah, to have the metabolism of an 18-year-old boy.
So glad to see that hands much more skilled than mine also have trouble with Euroflax linen. But I’m sticking with it, and intend to wear it,darn it!
Comment by chloe — July 3, 2010 @ 8:33 pm
From Susan — I L-O-V-E it! It is so cute and very wearable…I wish I did not have so many things on the needles right now!!
Comment by lv2knit — July 3, 2010 @ 8:58 pm
It’s gorgeous! It will look fabulous on you. 🙂
Comment by Romi — July 3, 2010 @ 9:33 pm
I love this! I love working with Euroflax. I have used it for many things, including lace washcloths and 3 lace shawls, including a feather and fan shawl, the Brandywine shawl and a lacy pattern originally meant for a table runner which I converted into a shawl. It always blocks so beautifully. I also love reading what you 2 sisters are knitting. This is a terrific blog.
Comment by p — July 3, 2010 @ 9:45 pm
Two beautiful creations. Love the blouse and the monkey bread!
Comment by Wendy O'C — July 4, 2010 @ 12:31 am
Great approach to low calorie food – ah, to be young again.
At least you can wear your wonderful blouse no matter what your metabolism. 🙂
Comment by twinsetellen — July 4, 2010 @ 10:39 pm
Fabulous! I felt certain you would like the result. The best part is, it just keeps on getting better.
I would like that metabolism for just 6 months. They have years and years of it. So unfair.
Comment by Needles — July 5, 2010 @ 7:55 am
Should’ve added: It’s a gorgeous piece of work!
Comment by chloe — July 5, 2010 @ 4:51 pm
I agree with the “metabolism of an eighteen year old boy”. Gotta love them.
Comment by Judith Gagnon — July 5, 2010 @ 7:46 pm
It is pretty darn amazing to see what an 18-year-old boy can put away! Love the sweater — just gorgeous.
Comment by Kym — July 6, 2010 @ 10:07 am
I love everything about your sweater…the design and the color. I have a 13 year old boy and I am cooking constantly… please don’t tell me it gets worse as far as the appetite thing!? Yikes!
Comment by Kim Fluck — July 7, 2010 @ 5:14 pm
I really love this sweater!! I am inspired to get it on my project list . . . also I’m currently doing my first linen project (a tea towel) but share the same lack of love for the way the fiber feels. I too, am hoping that the softness and drape are waiting at the end. This looks great!!
Comment by Pixie Thomas — July 8, 2010 @ 9:59 pm