You say potato, and I say potato
Clothespins? Clothespegs? Whatever you call them, I've had them on my mind of late. Outdoor drying weather is approaching (Alice is obviously a hardier specimen than I am, because she told me her washing was on the line today, but I'm clearly a fair weather pegger).
Up until last spring I was wedded to my tumble drier. I bought it when Mark was born and had fallen deeply for it's rotating charms. But Amy wooed me to the washing line last year and to my surprise, I loved it. The steady rhythm of bend, shake and peg. The smell of the outdoors on your sheets. The few quiet garden moments stolen in the middle of housework. And now, the chance to compose a haiku too.
Because Amy's blog also provided this idea. Some letter stamps, a heat set ink pad and my boring old pegs. Wash day joy. And face it, with boys like mine, every day is wash day round here.
Although some items will still need more gentle handling. The Klaralund - she's all stitched up, worn in and ready for her first launder.
I just can't make the break with my tumble-drier. I try to justify it by repeating to myself that the washing takes less ironing than outdoor dried washing...
But if my pegs were like yours, I may be more tempted!
The jumper is an absolute winner - gorgeous!
Posted by: Dragonfly | 25 February 2008 at 22:04
gorgeous, totally gorgeous!!!
You must be soooooo pleased.
(love the pegs too.)
So... what will you be knitting next?
Posted by: monica | 25 February 2008 at 22:04
Lovely sweater and the pegs are such a cute idea.
Posted by: Josie | 25 February 2008 at 22:08
Your haiku clothespins (or pegs) are so cute. And I love your sweater, it's really beautiful and you did a wonderful job.
Posted by: June | 25 February 2008 at 22:22
I absolutely love the sweater. I think hand made things just have a better shape than anything shop bought, and your sweater is a great example of that - it looks gorgeous. Hope it washes well!
Posted by: The List Writer | 25 February 2008 at 22:23
Your jumper is stunningly gorgeous- you must be over-the-moon!
Posted by: the pesky bombolino | 25 February 2008 at 22:26
Oh, she's beautiful. I think I need to add the pattern and yarn to my wish list.
Posted by: Emma | 25 February 2008 at 22:27
I love your jumper - it's stunning!!!
Oooh, I really should be hanging the washing out shouldn't I?
Lovely pegs :)
xx
Posted by: Lesley | 25 February 2008 at 22:31
Wonderful Klaralund - love the colours and fits so well.
Posted by: Kate | 25 February 2008 at 22:41
woo hoo! you finished it! looks awesome - nice work!
Posted by: kirsten | 25 February 2008 at 23:14
Inspired pegs, I love drying mine out doors. Knitting looks pretty good too. I'm very jealous of these spring like posts I keep reading...still a way to go yet here.
Posted by: lina | 25 February 2008 at 23:37
your jumper has turned out sooo well.its lovely.
Posted by: blossom | 26 February 2008 at 01:34
I love the way you say it. Bend. Shake. Peg. So pretty!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 26 February 2008 at 02:23
I got rid of my tumble dryer a couple of years ago. The guilt I felt over using energy and power and environmental thingies every time I used it just meant I never did use it.
So once the kids were out of nappies (cloth ones) and the Washing machine/tumble drier broke down on me that was it. I love hanging stuff on the line. I've had a couple of loads out recently. I can't wait for the summer to come. Washing on the line is one of life's small pleasures.
Posted by: Patti | 26 February 2008 at 08:11
Oops. Forgot to say. Love the jumper. Well done you.
Posted by: Patti | 26 February 2008 at 08:11
We always line dried when I was young, and I still think of the sun as a vital ingredient in keeping whites white. Sadly I only have a roof terrace so can't indulge, but the pegs are lovely.
As is that jumper - so impressive!
Posted by: Joanne | 26 February 2008 at 08:32
gorgeous jumper. and I love your pegs, I have ugly plastic ones.
Posted by: driftwood | 26 February 2008 at 09:07
There is definitely something therapuetic about hanging out washing - even more so if you get to use such fab pegs! The Klaralund looks wonderful!
Posted by: julie | 26 February 2008 at 09:57
I love the jumper! Still wish I could teach myself to knit!!
Posted by: Lindy | 26 February 2008 at 10:48
With our weather I do pretty much all my drying outside and if it rains I hang it inside. I really only use a dryer to finish stuff off and make things soft and fluffy. Like Patti I feel way too guilty about the amount of power it uses but then I am lucky to have the choice.
I am so totally impressed with your jumper - it is just stunning!!! Your knitting is incredibly neat and even, way better than many people who have knitted for years including myself. Fantastic!!
Posted by: Louise | 26 February 2008 at 11:34
Nice work with the jumper, the colours are beautiful too.
Posted by: Elizabeth | 26 February 2008 at 12:33
Lovely pegs and GORGEOUS jumper.
We'll have the washing line out again this week I reckon - it would have been a perfect drying day today had I not been stuck at a computer. And now everyone is coming back from lunch I'd better get back to it too. Snarl.
Posted by: dottycookie | 26 February 2008 at 13:12
Oh how I love the smell of washing fresh from the line. We have no tumble drier so washing outside on any blowy day of the year and other wise hanging above the stairs on a n airer. Washing on the line always makes me feel chirpy - I think I must be a bit weird!
Posted by: Lucy | 26 February 2008 at 13:19
Had a bit of a panic attack there - when you said that Alice had mentioned her washing on the line I thought I had put some stuff out there last year and forgotten about it. But it was ANOTHER Alice - so panic over!
Posted by: Alice C | 26 February 2008 at 14:34
I love your sweater!!
We're still getting snow here so hanging up the wash seems like a long way off.
Posted by: AndreaLea | 26 February 2008 at 15:07
I have a bit of 'thing' about the tumble drier. I don't like 'it' and 'it' doesn't like me either. I love washing dried outside - it smells better, it irons better, it's just all-round better. I love those pegs!
And as for the jumper ... wow! x
Posted by: Kitty | 26 February 2008 at 16:47
i guess i must be very lucky then - my first load went on the line at the beginning of feb. but with a street like ours (the wind howls past our front doors some days) it'd be wrong not to use the free drying-power! xx
ace jumper by the way
Posted by: hazeljoy | 26 February 2008 at 17:00
Hope the colours don't run when you wash the sweater! Nice job.
Posted by: Grumpy | 26 February 2008 at 17:10
The pegs are wonderful.. I wish I could get away with hanging laundry here, but right now everything would freeze solid.
BTW, M&J's miniswap got off yesterday and the postman said it should only take a week. Enjoy! xo
Posted by: miss chris | 26 February 2008 at 18:06
it's lovely ali! just lovely.
Posted by: emily | 26 February 2008 at 18:46
the top is fantastic and the pegs a great too!
I have to admit that I am pleased when it rains cos I don't feel guilty about using the tumble drier!
Posted by: Jox | 26 February 2008 at 20:11
The pegs are great! Makes the whole business a little bit more fun and somewhat sophisticated!
The sweater looks great on you! It came out lovely. Wonderful work!
Posted by: seemownay | 26 February 2008 at 20:11
Ive never had a tumble drier so its always been the washing line or clothes horse for me. Really like the pegs... love the jumper,great colours
Posted by: Periwinkle | 26 February 2008 at 20:58
Loving those pegs. First thing I do when I move to a new house, is hang a load of washing out on the line. Then it's home.
I have serious knitting envy. Seriously.
Posted by: Megan | 26 February 2008 at 21:40
You're so right. There is something about using a clothesline. Sheets that are scented with fresh air just can't be beat.
Gorgeous sweater! Beautiful colours.
Posted by: Katherine | 27 February 2008 at 04:39
That. Looks. Fantastic.
I can't believe you went from dishloths to that in such a short time! I am in awe. Congratulations.
Posted by: kate | 27 February 2008 at 06:18
Beautiful knit - the colours are sooo gorgeous. I love to use my line too, you're right - its the feeling of standing legitimately in the sunshine hanging the laundry...a very gentle chore, that provides a few precious moments away from the more humdrum tasks !
Posted by: asti | 27 February 2008 at 13:13
Ahhh! I knew the sweater would be FAB! lovely choice of colour.
Posted by: Hay | 27 February 2008 at 14:56
oh.my.goodness. your knitting is gorgeous! i am so impressed.
p.s. i also love the idea to have poetic clothes pegs. i'm going to do that to my wooden ones, for sure. xx
Posted by: melissa | 28 February 2008 at 18:47
I love the pegs and the sweater, both very inspiring and pleasing to the eye.
Posted by: Rebecca | 28 February 2008 at 19:45
Wow I love this ides - I am so stealing it!
Posted by: lazylol | 29 February 2008 at 21:17
Hi, have just found your blog. LOVE the colours in the sweater. Could you please tell me what brand the wool is.
Posted by: Lauren | 02 March 2008 at 03:36
Ignore my previous comment. I found the info in another entry. By the way, i think the decision to make 3/4 sleeves was perfect.
Posted by: Lauren | 02 March 2008 at 03:42
:-) :-)
Happy spring!
Posted by: Amy | 04 March 2008 at 18:49
Great pegs! I might have to try that. :)
Posted by: Crystal | 04 March 2008 at 23:01