Ahh - Maine was beautiful, the more so because yesterday was such a beautiful day. Aside of getting my hair cut (which it badly needed - I was in danger of being named best of breed by the Olde English Sheepdog Association!) I spent a good amount of time standing in the surf.
Breaking wave
The tide was coming in and the line was a lot further up the beach than usual. In fact it was nearly up to the parking lot when it’s usually 100 yards away. Reflective of storm activity out at sea despite the glorious sun at the shore. We have seen it this way here once before, about 6 years ago. There was a hurricane off shore - but not very far off shore and on that occasion the incoming tide was actually smashing up against the foundations of the hotel. And it was raining sideways - literally!
Gimme a french fry!
This guy and a bunch of his cronies were hanging around several big puddles in the parking lot. I guess it’s possible that the surf did get that far at the last high tide - or maybe there had just been a prodigious rain the night before. The gulls were drinking from the puddle but I have no idea whether that means it was fresh or salt water. Can gulls drink salt water?
On our way out, we stopped at Anthony’s Food Shop in York (right on Route 1) and sat down with two of the biggest pieces of pepperoni pizza you ever saw. Delicious and not chintzy on the cheese either! If that isn’t enough to get you to stop by the next time you’re in that neck of the woods, they also offer free wireless net connection :)
When we got home, I started another swatch. The motif is simple - I suppose it might count as a bobble, but it isn’t really because it’s worked over several rows instead of all in one go. To make one:
When you get to the spot where you want the motif, K1, yo, K1, yo, K1 - all in one stitch.
When you get to it on the next row, P5.
When you get to it on the next row, K5.
When you get to it on the next row, P5.
When you get to it on the next row, SSK, K1, K2tog.
When you get to it on the next row, P3.
When you get to it on the next row, sl2, K1, p2sso.
It makes a nice teardrop kind of shape that stands up from the surface of the knitted fabric.
Teardrops and dimples
I learned something valuable working this swatch because I hadn’t thought it through before I started. This motif doesn’t work on a background of stockinette. First, there isn’t enough contrast between the motif and the background fabric for it to stand out very well (see the first two motifs in the bottom sequence of the swatch) Second, the motif will not stay on the surface - it keeps sinking through to the other side (see the second two motifs on the bottom).
Seeing how that spectacularly didn’t work, I switched to a reverse stockinette for the background for the second set of motifs. Ahhh - much better. The teardrops stand out nicely from the background and they stay right where they should - on the surface of the fabric. This now becomes a possibility for the scarf - perhaps alongside the strawberries, like little leaves?
I hope your Thursday soars!
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i like the ‘teardrops and dimples’ name- it would be a most appropriate pattern for a baby blanket!
about the only knitting phrase that frightens me more than ‘intarsia’ are the words ‘reverse stockinette’- mine always resembles dog’s dinner for some reason that i am sure is strictly caused by failing to put my mind over the matter-
once again, kudos to the photographer-
stay happy-
I must say that I love the teardrop! I also love the name, too, too cute! I will anxiously await and watch as you create this masterpiece! 
Barb - Normally I would run to avoid reverse stockinette but it was the only way to make it work. Besides, it’s just three purl stitches between the motifs anyway.
Now my intarsia does look like the dog’s dinnner - but I want to try it again someday using the knitting backwards technique. That way the work never gets turned and the yarns never get tangled.
Someday… :)
Rebecca - I appreciate the thought, but I will be happy if it’s moderately attractive. Masterpieces are a little advanced for me just yet!
You make me want to go to Maine!
The teardrop pattern is cool—thanks!
Toni - Whenever we go up (and it’s only an hour and a little up the road) we have a hard time getting ourselves back because it feels like we’re already home! I love it so much that I tend to proselytize a bit :)
