Knitting for Olive Cotton Merino | Knitigating Circumstances

In early August, we were in need of a break. We had neglected to make holiday plans in advance (those who know me will not be surprised) and I decided on the three necessary components: cooler weather, beautiful views, and relaxation. The first ruled out many of our usual haunts – no France, no Spain, no Italy, no heatwaves. I decided I wanted to go to northern Wales, and fixated on Anglesey. A preliminary investigation showed that it is almost impossible to spontaneously book a holiday on Anglesey in August. But I have tricks up my sleeve. I texted my friend June, who may have lived in Vancouver for decades now, but went to University in Bangor and has a tight network of friends in Wales. June was attending a folk festival at the time, but sent out a text alert to her friends. Proving that it’s not what you know but who you know, we managed to book a holiday cottage for a week, loaded up the car and drove up there. And…. the planets aligned! The cottage was perfect, with absolutely stunning gardens and lovely views. June’s friends were welcoming and proved to be excellent company – thank you Pauline and Paul, Sarah and Oleg, Anne and Paul. It couldn’t have been a more relaxing and lovely break.

I also have a finished project to show you today. I have been quite lazy about finishing this top; not in a negative way, but in a “I am busy doing other things and putting knitting on the back burner” kind of way.

I took it with me to Wales and when I pulled it out, it took me only 22 minutes to finish. I had literally put down this project for over a month with just two rows of the sleeve ribbing to complete and 8 threads to be woven in! I then took my time photographing it, and even did so without blocking it first. Quelle horreur!

The pattern is Silfurberg by Joji Locatelli. I must admit to having completely ignored this pattern when it was first released, probably because the pattern photos show it in a variegated yarn, which I think hides the beauty of the lace. It is amazing how crisp it looks when knitted in a solid colour. This is Knitting for Olive Cotton Merino in Clover Green. I find the bright green so cheering, especially in this season of drought. Most of England is brown right now, witness the ex-grass in our back garden.

However, proving that some things are etched in stone, this weekend is the Reading Festival (a local music festival which draws 100,000 people and over 100 bands over the Bank Holiday weekend), so of course, the drought has broken and it is now pouring with rain. What is a music festival without mud? Our plants are enjoying the downpour. As are we!

Have a good weekend all!

All of the sudden, summer has arrived. It is absolutely beautiful, with warm skies and soft breezes. And it is a Bank Holiday weekend. After many years in England I had become convinced that it was against the laws of nature (or perhaps just king and country) to have a sunny Bank Holiday weekend. Yet here it is. Three days of relaxing outside with nothing to do but knit, read, knit, barbeque, knit…you get the point. If only one had a summery project on the go to accompany the weather.

Good thing, then, that I have just the thing on my needles. I bought four balls of Knitting for Olive cotton merino in Clover Green while in Helsinki a few weeks ago. The green is so cheerful; just looking at it makes me happy. The pattern is the Silfurberg tee by Joji Locatelli, shown below.

I spent some time trying to find just the perfect pattern for this yarn. I wanted something chic and summery, and also wanted something that had just a bit of a challenge to it. A touch of lace fit the bill. Even then, I overlooked this pattern at first. I think it is because the pattern photo uses a variegated yarn, which is not to my taste. The pattern really pops with this yarn, however, and it is fun to knit.

The yarn is 70% cotton and 30% wool and is a light fingering weight. It has a beautiful hand. I always hold my breath with cotton because you can never really tell how it will behave until you have washed it and worn it a time or two. Cotton has a tendency to lose its shape, and I am hoping that the wool in this will give it a bit of memory. So far, so good.