fruition

—

by

Kate Davies Designs
in

westhighlandevening

This is the view from the top of our lane yesterday evening. The large hulking hill to the right is Ben Lomond, with the Arrochar “Alps”, including the Cobbler, to the left. The weather continues to be amazing. Everything is coming to fruition. My tomatoes are ripening.

tomatoes

I am impressed with my peppers, also grown from seed. . .

peppers

. . .and I am cutting courgettes and sweet peas every day. The sweet peas grow more luminous and psychedelic. Each day I cut a bloom that seems more wildly neon than the day before.

sweetpea

I planted several different cultivars, but am totally useless at keeping tabs on what’s what, so I’m afraid I have no idea of their names…

Meanwhile, inside, things are coming to fruition too as I now have seven completed YOKE designs. Numbers eight and nine are on the needles, which just leaves number ten for the collection to be complete. I’ve been steadily charting and grading and writing patterns, and Mel and I have been knitting away since April. It is extremely satisfying seeing the collection really coming together now, and to look at the group of distinctive garments hanging in my studio, all of which sort of feel like me. Another exciting phase of the project is about to begin, as I am soon to start working on, and writing about, some different regional styles and practices of YOKE knitting since the 1940s. I’ll say more about this aspect of the book shortly, but for now I’d better finish knitting this sleeve. . . Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

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Comments

40 responses to “fruition”

  1. Anna Ramsden Avatar
    Anna Ramsden

    Dear Kate, this is entirely off topic. How do you manage to keep knitting for what seems to me to be hours and hours. I can only knit for a while before my hands ache. I try to take regular breaks, but next day they still ache. I am also not a speedy knitter and this also irks me terribly as I find it very hard to progress with any project. The projects you have written about here – one of these ykokes would take me about six months- let alone ten.And I do understand that this is your work now. I will be moving shortly to the Isle of Wight and want to make use of my time as I wont have a job to go to. But I think I’ll take my knitting to the beach. I find knitting in day light so much better.

    Reply
  2. Laura Walters Avatar
    Laura Walters

    Oh, I can’t wait for this book! Every picture you post of the land around your home reinforces for me why so many people from your country settled in the area where I live. (Southern Appalachian mountain region of USA) The landscapes are so similar, so familiar. I would love to visit your country.

    Reply
  3. Anne Avatar
    Anne

    What a lovely and inspiring landscape! The muted colors of the mountain sunset are beautiful!

    Reply
  4. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    Such a lovely garden! I am very excited for the new collection :)

    Reply
  5. JoanJ Avatar
    JoanJ

    Just love your blogs. They are the only ones I am completely addicted to because, as all your other followers attest, you fill my head with ideas and inspiration.

    Reply
  6. wolfabric Avatar
    wolfabric

    Beautiful tomatoes, are they in a greenhouse? Looking forward to reading your yoke-book.
    Happy harvesting!

    Reply
  7. Chantelle Avatar
    Chantelle

    Wow, THAT is a lot of work! Can’t wait to see your designs.

    Reply
  8. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    LOVE the psychedelic sweet peas. Now here’s a thing, I do not care for yoked sweaters but because you are doing them…I WILL buy the book! Seriously!

    Reply
  9. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Thank you for sharing your beauty with us. Your tomatoes and peppers will be delicious. I am looking forward to seeing your yoke collection too.

    Reply
  10. Melanie Wolff Avatar
    Melanie Wolff

    You continue to be so amazing every single day!! Looking forward to seeing the yoke collection!

    Reply
  11. valeriesmith15 Avatar
    valeriesmith15

    So very pretty. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  12. helenknits Avatar
    helenknits

    Very much looking forward to your Yoke designs. Great photo’s as always!

    Reply
  13. Claire Avatar
    Claire

    Don’t know about the sweet peas, but your tomatoes look like they may be Tigrella….!

    Reply
  14. Marianne Avatar
    Marianne

    Kate…want you to know how much I enjoy your blog…the glimpse of your life through your beautiful photography & writing….your work…recovery from your stroke…your talent and lifestyle is inspirational. Marianne

    Reply
  15. Georgie Avatar
    Georgie

    Your new book sounds just delicious, I feel very excited to see what you’re working on but I do love a good surprise so I’ll wait patiently. Quality takes time!
    I’m still feeling the need to knit a couple more garments from Colours of Shetland in any case ;)

    Reply
  16. Isabel Avatar
    Isabel

    As a regular reader of your blog and a huge fan of your work, I happen to be on holiday in Scotland at the moment. I enjoyed a warm and very satisfying day out on the banks of Loch Lomond yesterday. I even walked a `wee` stretch of the West Highland Way today near Balmaha. It was absolutely stunning, just as in the pictures you took. Thank you for your inspiration and I can`t wait to see your new book published.

    Reply
  17. Sue Williams/Highfield Crafts Avatar
    Sue Williams/Highfield Crafts

    Your views make me ache for a visit to Scotland. Maybe next year…I must tell you when I see a post from you I get a little smile. I read all of my other e-mails, then cup of tea in hand, I save the best ’til last and enjoy reading your latest. Thank you for the gift of your posts. I too cannot wait for the next book. Happy weekend!

    Reply
  18. biba dow Avatar
    biba dow

    Dear Kate,
    I’ve been trying to buy one of your kits on your website and it won’t register in my cart, nor will it accept an email – any tips?!
    Biba

    Reply
  19. Kathy Bernett, Michigan USA Avatar
    Kathy Bernett, Michigan USA

    Your beautiful scenery is only exceeded by the joy of hearing that the Yokes book is closer to publication. Prepare yourself for another deluge of orders & warn J&S, too. Hope the book will be ready to treat ourselves for Christmas.

    Reply
  20. sheila Zachariae Avatar
    sheila Zachariae

    I too, am excited to see inside your studio!
    Sheila
    https://www.etsy.com/listing/94049854/christmas-hats-collection-pattern

    Reply
  21. rockandwool Avatar
    rockandwool

    FUN X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

    Reply
  22. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    It’s great that you share your gardening and landscape impressions here. Both knitting and gardening have become my favourite hobbies and I am amazed to find both things here! It’s a pleasure reading your blog.

    Habe a great weekend!

    Reply
  23. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Yoke you been doing!? ;-) I love the idea of 10 different yoke patterns. Your photos of the hills, flowers and garden have summer written all over them. Enjoy!

    Reply
  24. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    ps. Oh, and I am absolutely aching to get a peek into your new studio !

    Reply
  25. RatiganKnits Avatar
    RatiganKnits

    Oh how I love anticipation.

    Reply
  26. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    I’m so tranquil reading your post at 6 o’clock in the morning, with much the same view out my window of hillls, knitting away over the days,weeks, months, while in my garden slowly there’s ripening tomatoes. Somthing about feeling fruition in my life too, and the mountains like a great sage council in our lives… I can just relate .

    Now , Yokes is going to be so amazing, I can’t wait ! You & Mel are a great team !!!

    Reply
  27. Kirsty Hall Avatar
    Kirsty Hall

    Your sweetpeas look lovely, I can almost smell them. Mine have been flowering their socks off all summer, they’re such a delight.

    Reply
  28. Lynn Perrault Avatar
    Lynn Perrault

    Thank you for the lovely post. I am looking forward to more on the yokes. I hope you enjoy your weekend as well.

    Reply
  29. steph Avatar
    steph

    congrats on both the new (knitting) work….and the (older…from seeds??? WOW, impressive! gardening!) work!!!!

    Reply
  30. MaryAnne Avatar
    MaryAnne

    Congratulations on such a successful garden. I am really looking forward to the Yoke collection. It sounds just wonderful.

    Reply
  31. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  32. Eileen F Avatar
    Eileen F

    If you ever tire of knitting, you could surely earn your keep as a photographer! This is a lovely post. I’m looking forward to the new work, though. Please keep your day job.

    Reply
  33. traceyalicecox Avatar
    traceyalicecox

    I can’t wait to see your yoke designs!

    Reply
  34. atexasgirlknits Avatar
    atexasgirlknits

    I never fail to be amazed that beautiful and edible things come up out of the dirt.

    Reply
  35. Deborah Barr Avatar
    Deborah Barr

    I am very excited to hear of your new book!

    Reply
  36. Jane Avatar
    Jane

    Isn’t the weather wonderful and strange, much the same in Southern England. Beautiful produce and lovely photos, such good fun, thank you.

    Reply
  37. Bai Yang Avatar
    Bai Yang

    I am so looking forward to this book! Will you also be addressing different types of yokes for different shapes of shoulders? As much as I love yokes, most designs look funny on me due to my straight shoulders.

    Lots of love, Bai Yang

    Reply
  38. hanna knits Avatar
    hanna knits

    The colours in the view from your lane are truly breathtaking! Could they translate into a knitting project in the future? Your produce also most impressive!

    Reply
  39. Dianna Avatar
    Dianna

    So excited for your YOKES!

    Reply
  40. Donna Smith Avatar
    Donna Smith

    What a beautiful place you live in and I can’t wait to see the book!

    Reply

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