Roses in the Snow
It was such an awesome weekend. 50's in the valley and the mountains were so clear and spectacular. We took our newest Stitch 'n Bitch grrl, Karen* and her hubby, to our FAVORITE SPOT so they could see why we love it so much. (Karen dyed the wool and knit her beautiful sweater.)
After breakfast we headed to Brighton and Silver Lake, just for the view, and then back down the canyon to Jordan Pines where we like to take photos. The snow, pines and surrounding peaks are so beautiful in the sunshine, to take advantage of the sun we walked up the road a piece. Karen's sweater was enhanced by the light but, poor Rosarie was blinded by the abundance of pure white snow. With an old camera like mine (maybe the settings need to be changed) we are never sure what we have until the pictures are on the computer. Drat!
This is the best picture of the bunch. 
So, Smith and I tried again on the Zen patio.
It was a little better and Rosarie decided she was ready for her close up.
Click to enlarge.
Rosarie is warm, comfortable, beautiful and I'm thrilled to have her as part of my knitting repertoire.
Pattern and Yarn kit: 'Rosarie' (Rosaraie de l’Haye) by Jade Starmore purchased from Virtual Yarns. Special instructions to lengthen by Jade.
Yarn: Hebridean 2 Ply
Colors: Calluna, Kelpie, Poppy, Red Rattle, Clover
Time to knit: January 1, 2006-February 18, 2006
Tomorrow Zeneedle will be off line in the afternoon so, today we'll take care of the contest business. The winner of last weeks prize is Tracy of Wool Windings. She is a very generous knitter who knits the most beautiful baby clothes for The Preemie Project.
Thank you for the many lovely comments that came with your contest answers. There were too many to answer each one but, I read them all. Now, as you read the first paragraph of this post our favorite Sunday spot is:
Silver Fork Lodge in Big Cottonwood Canyon
This weeks question is:
How many pair of hand knit socks do I have in my sock drawer?
All who guess, whether correct or not, will be in the drawing for this weeks the prize.
Green Chibi, Sockina Colori, Bollicina - silk/cashmere (3 balls - taupe), chocolate (of course) Sheepy tape measure and a box to hold your knitting notions.
Please send your answer to the above question to zenbirthdaycontest at gmail dot com. On Friday the random number generator will help me pick a winner which will be announced next Tuesday along with the last and most fabulous Grand Prize.
*Karen dyes the most fabulous yarns. Check them out!
Rosarie is absolutely gorgeous. Very pretty colors. Bravo!
Posted by: Marina | February 27, 2006 at 03:39 AM
My guess is 15 pairs of handknitted socks.
I really enjoy your blog! Thanks!
Posted by: Cynthia | February 27, 2006 at 04:01 AM
Rosarie is a beauty! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Winnie | February 27, 2006 at 04:25 AM
rosarie is like the sunrise! everymorning i read my daily zen from trycycle magazine and then your blog ... seeing rosarie; my process and practice for this weekish is to learn to use two colors in my knitting. i've been practiceing using the yarn held in my right hand; it's all new to me. beautiful rosarie.
Posted by: marie in florida | February 27, 2006 at 04:55 AM
Rosarie looks proud to show her colors, as well she should be. She is stunning. Likewise your mountains, even if you can't take credit for those :).
Posted by: Lucia | February 27, 2006 at 04:58 AM
Rosarie is gorgeous! The buttons are perfect, too.
Posted by: Jan | February 27, 2006 at 05:05 AM
Rosarie came out looking wonderful. I can't believe how fast you did her.
Posted by: Laurie | February 27, 2006 at 05:06 AM
Rosarie and you look fabulous!
Posted by: Amy Boogie | February 27, 2006 at 05:13 AM
Rosearie is exquisite! I love the colours and it looks the perfect length too. Please tell Karen that her sweater is absolutely gorgeous too, you must have wowed them all up there.
Posted by: Tracy | February 27, 2006 at 05:25 AM
Fabulous!!!!
Posted by: Wendy | February 27, 2006 at 05:32 AM
Wow! Rosarie is gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Erica | February 27, 2006 at 05:53 AM
Gorgeous in any light! ;)
Posted by: Beth | February 27, 2006 at 05:59 AM
Rosarie came out so beautifully! Sounds like a lovely weekend with friends.
Posted by: Pumpkinmama | February 27, 2006 at 06:06 AM
Rosarie is awesome. That is a great vest on you.
Posted by: Rose | February 27, 2006 at 06:06 AM
Your colorwork is very inspiring! I think once I have gotten my lace urges satisfied, I'll have to jump into color.
Posted by: Chris | February 27, 2006 at 06:07 AM
Rosarie is lovely in ALL of the pictures -- absolutely breathtaking, Margene. Wow. And Karen's sweater is just gorgeous. You two must have turned some heads!
Congrats to the winner of last week's contest. This week's loot -- YUM! -- that Dagoba chocolate alone would make a wonderful prize!! ; )
Posted by: Vicki | February 27, 2006 at 06:11 AM
No steek tutorial for the weak-minded? No worries--my knitting slave--I mean my mother will be back the end of this week. Seriously! Rosarie looks terrific! Well done Margene and in WendyKnits time!
Posted by: Kathleen | February 27, 2006 at 06:36 AM
The fit is fantastic! Congratulations on an excellent job, Margene.
Posted by: Carole | February 27, 2006 at 06:36 AM
Margene - I am so in love with Rosarie! What a beautiful achievement. That is one knit you'll have forever!!
I am in love with your frined's sweater, too - gorgeous!!
Posted by: Jackie | February 27, 2006 at 06:38 AM
MAGNIFICENT! I have never seen anything quite like Rosarie..congratulations, Margene!
Posted by: Marcia | February 27, 2006 at 06:40 AM
Rosarie is lovely and looks great on you!
Posted by: Karen | February 27, 2006 at 06:42 AM
Rosarie is beautiful - and what a lovely day you had yesterday!
Posted by: Chris | February 27, 2006 at 06:45 AM
I love it, and you are looking so marvelous, chicky! I'm inspired to get back in shape.
Posted by: Norma | February 27, 2006 at 06:45 AM
Rosarie is beautiful, and the colors are absolutely positively you! I don't know how you managed to knit all the trim and get all those buttons on and have her ready to wear on Sunday. It seems like just yesterday that you were cutting the steeks.
Posted by: Susan | February 27, 2006 at 07:00 AM
All. those. buttons.
And I can't believe you're giving away 3(!) balls of Bollicina. I *heart* Bollicina. Guess I'll have to enter and hope for the best.
Posted by: susan | February 27, 2006 at 07:03 AM
This has been so fun to watch you knit! It is absolutely gorgeous! I love the way the colors blend. Great job, it's lovely!
Posted by: Kim | February 27, 2006 at 07:16 AM
WOW, Margene---Rosarie is so beautiful and intricate! Love your new do, too! :::wolf whistling:::
How satisfying to wear something you made, and have it be so lovely and warm. You are surrounded by such beauty---you simply radiate with it. xoxo
Posted by: Kim | February 27, 2006 at 07:19 AM
Rosarie looks great! Enjoy her.
Posted by: Liz | February 27, 2006 at 07:28 AM
All I know, you have so many more than I do! I do have enough sock yarn in my stash to catch up though. :) Time to get on it!
Posted by: Teresa C | February 27, 2006 at 07:38 AM
Rosarie is lovely. Wonderful job. My guess for the socks is 22.
Happy Knitting!
Traci
Posted by: Traci | February 27, 2006 at 08:15 AM
It's really impressive, from the obvious (colorwork, steeking) to the details (all of those buttons to sew on!).
Posted by: Lauren | February 27, 2006 at 08:17 AM
Rosarie is just beautiful! What a wonderful project to start the year with.
Posted by: Sydney | February 27, 2006 at 08:18 AM
Rosarie turned out great(even if the photo shoot didn't turn out as planned). Enjoy the nice weather :) Just passing through on Stashalong patrol--have a great week!
Posted by: Kim | February 27, 2006 at 08:21 AM
Rosarie is perfect! Absolutely awesome!
Posted by: christine | February 27, 2006 at 08:24 AM
Rosarie is absolutely stunning. Seeing such a gorgeous piece of knitting reminds me why I picked up the needles and became a knitter. What an inspiration. Thanks for sharing her with us!
Posted by: Sarah | February 27, 2006 at 08:29 AM
Rosarie is every bit as wonderful as I thought she'd be. A true Zen knit--she clearly wanted to be at home in the Zen garden for her photo shoot. ;-)
Karen's sweater is breathtaking too! Love the color. I'll have to check out her site.
Posted by: Beth S. | February 27, 2006 at 08:31 AM
You and Rosarie are fabulous, Margene. I can't wait to get Laleli in my mail!
Posted by: Snow | February 27, 2006 at 08:32 AM
All lovely, but your placket is superb!
Posted by: Sylvia | February 27, 2006 at 08:35 AM
Thank you for the Rosarie photos. Happy now.
Posted by: Rachel H | February 27, 2006 at 08:35 AM
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRosssssarrrrrrrrrie, oh, rrrrrossssarrrrrie.
You.
Look.
MAHVELOUS!
I can see it was meant to be.
Posted by: mamacate | February 27, 2006 at 08:44 AM
Margene it is so beautiful! Another great knit lady! I like that it has a LOT of buttons!
Posted by: Karen | February 27, 2006 at 08:47 AM
Rosarie is gorgeous. I have picked up a UFO of mine to finish, also a Jade Starmore. So close. You just reminded me why it's worth it.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 27, 2006 at 08:48 AM
Rosarie is OUTSTANDINGLY BEAUTIFUL! Great job Margene:D
Posted by: Lana | February 27, 2006 at 08:48 AM
Beautiful sweaters, beautiful photographs.
Posted by: Pat K | February 27, 2006 at 09:11 AM
Just beautiful Margene! I LOVE your friend Karen's sweater too. You ladies are very impressive with your fibery talents!
Posted by: heather | February 27, 2006 at 09:17 AM
Rosarie is abosolutely glorious!! You should be very proud!
Posted by: Leah | February 27, 2006 at 09:22 AM
Rosarie is just perfect!
We're heading to SLC in a couple of weeks. Just might have to try out your favorite place. Also, hoping to be able to put some of my hand-knits into action...much too warm here in Texas now. Hope there is still a little snow left in the mountains.
You give the best prizes! I'm still shocked that I was lucky enough to win.
Posted by: wool winder | February 27, 2006 at 09:29 AM
Wow, Rosarie is stunning, you did a fabulous job!
Posted by: Brenda | February 27, 2006 at 10:06 AM
Wow, Margene, that's really a labor of love! But Rosarie is beautiful. Perfect buttons, too!
Posted by: Martha | February 27, 2006 at 10:09 AM
Margene, you've done it again! Rosarie is beautiful..she's really beautiful. And you fabulous, dahling!
Posted by: Renada | February 27, 2006 at 10:11 AM