Dog Days of Summer

July 15, 2017

Dog Days of Summer

Blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, peas, beans, basil, new potatoes, baby beets, fresh garlic all abound in the garden. The heat is intense here in the Okanagan and today the air is clear and the smoke has cleared. The lake is clear enough to swim in and after an intense sweat with yoga, I jump into the lake and wash away the worries, the crazy thoughts and find the joy and quiet that summer can be.

This year there are few motor boats on our part of the lake because of the high water, so kayaking and being by the lake is very quiet. Our beaches need renovating after all of the reshaping that has occurred with the flooding. The sandbags are slowly being removed and we irrigate the garden more often with the heat. There is a slowness this time of year for the heat takes energy.

I knit in the cool of the morning before everyone is awake. I am thinking about what kinds of classes we shall have in the fall. Let’s knit a fair isle tam, with Shetland wool and dream of winter winds and cold nights by the fire. Let’s knit cosy big sweaters that cover your butt and wrap us in the warm and comfort that only a wool sweater can bring. Let’s knit long shawl- like scarves in fingering or DK weight yarns with lots of colour and drape. I will finish my Cowichan-style sweater, my wool vest and a hoody. The Intarsia Blanket and mohair cardigan are waiting for my attention.

I let go of those “I must finish thoughts” and pick up a novel and head to the porch. I make a raspberry ice smoothy and relax in the heat letting the Dog Days of summer melt away the expectations and the unfinished parts of my life.

Enjoy the heat,
Kathleen

Materials: 1 Skein Fleece Artist Parks Collection in Gwaii Haanas, BC
1 Skein Diamond Luxury, Superkid Mohair in 1513 Lime Green
1 set of 4mm dpns

Gauge:     22sts/30rows over 4 inches  (holding both together)

PATTERN

Holding both yarns together, Cable cast on 90sts
Join in Round

Row 1: *K1, P1* Repeat to end
Repeat round 1 for 2 inches

BODY OF HAT
Row 1: *K2, Kfb* repeat until end (120 sts)
Row 2: Knit
Repeat row 2 for 7inches

DECREASE
Row 1: *K10, K2tog* Repeat to end (110 sts)
Row 2,4,6,8,10,12,14: Knit
Row 3: *K9, K2tog* repeat to end ( 100 sts)
Row 5: *k8, k2tog* repeat to end (90sts)
Row 7: *k7, k2tog* repeat to end (80sts)
Row 9: *K6, k2tog* repeat to end (70sts)
Row 11: *K5, k2tog* repeat to end (60sts)
Row 13: *k5, k2tog* repeat to end (50sts)
Row 15: *K4, k2tog* repeat to end (40sts)
Row 16: K2tog to end (20sts)
Row 17: Knit
Row 18: K2tog to end (10sts)

FINISHING
Cut yarn, leaving an 8 inch tail
Weave end of yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight.
Weave in end