Endings and beginnings

I finished a few projects.

At the very tail end of weather that would require a warm hat, I finished knitting one. The pattern is by Andrea Mowry, Plumped-Up Harlow. It’s my first time knitting the technique called brioche, so there was quite a learning curve. I had to knit it twice – the first time I made so many mistakes in the crown shaping that I couldn’t live with the results. I started over. The second time, I still made a few mistakes but they are much less noticeable. I’ve worn the hat once or twice but will now retire it for next winter.

I also finished my potholder project. They turned out to be very functional objects – and nice looking. I got a lot of practice on the Palestrina stitch for the edging. But I’m now questioning how I really want to bind the garden quilt. The saga continues. I really want to use that quilt this summer, so I’ll probably be motivated to figure it out soon.

And just in the past week, beginnings are popping up all around. Just a few that I’ve noticed:

The first lupine leaves are up. Come June, there will be a beautiful display.

And I’ve been practicing identifying pussy willows in the area. There are not a lot, but a few majestic specimens are easy to spot this time of year. They are crowned with fuzzy white catkins that catch the sunlight, making a glowing halo for a short time. I realize that when the leaves come out, they will be indistinguishable in the undergrowth of alders and other common shrubs. So they seem very special right now.

Here’s a junior one that we found last week at the side of Jellison Cove Road.