spring knitting

I used to think that knitting in the spring and summer months was unappealing. How could you have a skein of wool sitting on your lap on a hot summer's day, concentrating your energy on a big cozy shawl that you can't wear for another few months? Since February I've been working on a lace shawl ....which I'm loving and enjoying, but this warm SC weather is not motivating me towards finishing it. Instead what came to my mind is this beautiful summery knitted top I noticed way back last winter and have had a subconscious desire to knit ever since. So last week I promptly ordered the yarn (color name of sprout green...how could I resist buying that?), had my sister Becca copy and mail me the pattern since it's from a book she owns, and today as soon as my yarn arrived in the mail I started on it! Ooh, new projects are the best. Let me tell you about this one. The yarn is 70% cotton, 30% linen. The bottom half of the top is lace work, then a simple stockinette stitch, with a flattering neckline and small cap sleeves. Mmm....sounds like a perfect match for a pair of cropped linen pants. Sounds like one of those tops I'll reserve for wearing when I work at the farmer's markets on Saturdays this sumer. Check out this lady's amazing version if you want to drool. If mine turns out half as beautiful as hers I will be pleased.

Also I want to say a big HEJ! to any of you readers in Sweden. Christina, Carola, Nina, Eva-Britt, Birgitta...jag vet inte vem läsa, men jag hoppas ni alla ha det jättebra i den vackra svenska vår. Jag kan tänka mig att alla Svenskarna säger nu,"visst är det härligt med vår!"Here is a picture of a little touch of Sweden which my mother has on her kitchen table...it's so nice to walk by it every day and think of my 2nd home!