Before:
After:
Those rocks aren't just sitting there, they've all had the sod stripped from underneath them, a little gravel/sand trenched under them and boy, oh boy, am I pleased with the results.
What I'm not pleased with is the crazy weather that we've had today. I wanted to plant more in the new beds and top everything off with mulch today. Instead, I've been in the car when the sun has been shining and pushing the wheelbarrow when the rain has been pouring.
I'm a little old for wet t shirt contests.
But I did manage a small section:
It will get done soon enough (and I may try to buy another pallet of rocks and add another section).
And speaking of done:
Pattern: Kellokukka Shawl
Yarn: Jaggerspun Zephyr in Sage about 400 yards used
Needles: Addi Lace #5
Time start to finish: Don't ask
Mods: None, although I was working from the untranslated (Finnish) pattern and may have changed something.
This is a little wisp of a shawl, the size is 48"x25", but in this lace weight and on sort of biggish needles, it's light and airy, a nice summer wrap. I'm planning on giving it away, as much as I love green, sage is not green enough for me. I'll let you know what my friend thinks of it.
Tonight, I'll knit on something and hope that tomorrow is a rain free day.
PS- #1 Son has messaged from both Salzburg and Heidelberg. He moves in with his exchange family tomorrow. 8 days down, 18 to go.
LOVE the rocks! Amazing how much impact they have...and of course, I'm a bit jealous of the lace. I don't have the patience and focus to do lace, so I'm ALWAYS jealous of lace!
Posted by: Amy | Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 12:21 AM
The new rocks look great and really set off the plantings.
Beautiful lace!!
Posted by: Angie | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 11:11 PM
The rocks make such a difference!! Really beautiful!
Posted by: Karen Frisa | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 06:46 PM
Wow! I would never have guessed the rocks would make such a really big difference. They look great.
I love the shawl too. makes me want to grab my lace project and hurry up with it so I can start a new shawl.
Posted by: Bammerkt | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 03:26 PM
WOW! The garden is amazing. Rain? Can I haz some? Please? Texas is in Saratoga Springs NY this weekend and had been complaining about the weather.
The shawl is beautiful too. It reminds me of some alpaca lace I have hibernating in the stash room.
Posted by: Stacey | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Your garden looks lovely, as does the shawl. I NEED to tidy up our garden beds, and will, if it ever stops raining.
Posted by: Ruth | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 11:00 AM
The rocks really do make quite a difference. You put in so much work and all the details to (hopefully) make this last.
Finished Finnish? It's lovely.
xo
Posted by: Sarah | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Moving rocks and knitting lac, too. You are woman, hear me roar!!
Posted by: margene | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 08:41 AM
"untranslated"? How do you do that? The rocks look good. They make the garden look finished.
The shawl pattern is unlike any other I've seen. Just lovely.
Posted by: donna lee | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 07:47 AM
Seriously pretty shawl. And inspirational rock moving.
Posted by: Hat | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 07:42 AM
You have been working way too hard over there. Sit! Enjoy! It looks beautiful, as does the shawl.
xo
Posted by: Nora | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 06:48 AM
What a transformation! It's amazing how breaking the soil and grass up with the rocks really brings the garden to life.
Posted by: Sue Smith | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 03:45 AM
I'm loving the landscaping, the dark mulch with those rocks. All your garden beds are beautiful.
Gorgeous little sage shawl, and I am impressed, Finnish! Care to indulge us a little more on that?
I'm with Carrie, can't wait to hear how the host mom loves her Gnarled Oaks.
Posted by: marianne | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Your rocks look lovely! Too bad you could use them to fence your neighbors in like your flower beds. The shawl is lovely, too. Nicely done!
Posted by: Heather | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Check occasionally to make sure none of your rocks have walked off. o.0
Lovely work! You've earned a Frosty or yarn or something.
Lovely shawl. Finnish? I'm not surprised as you can do anything, but wow... Finnish.
xo
Posted by: Cookie | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Gorgeous...both the garden and the knitting!
Posted by: Karen | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 09:52 PM
Oh, wow! I love what you did with the rocks!
My head is spinning at the thought of knitting lace in Finnish. I can't even manage it in English.
Posted by: Suzanne (Yarnhog) | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 08:30 PM
The yard looks great! The shawl is lovely too. I can't wait to hear what the host mom thinks of her stole.
Posted by: Carrie | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 08:30 PM
Beautiful shawl. I love your landscaping -- nice rocks!
Happy knitting.
Posted by: Chery | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 08:00 PM