miscellaneous in progress

As usual I have several things on needles right now. This is the Oregon Shawl, done in fine wool that I dyed last spring break. I have finished the center and am a little ways into the border, which is quite deep. I lived in Oregon for a while and while I wouldn't have chosen to knit this shawl if I didn't like the design anyway, it does encourage me to think about rocky coasts and deep forests.

Another thing I started in the autumn and have been working on slowly and steadily is a piece of needlepoint.

I can't imagine what came over me. Needlepoint? An anomaly. Oh well, there it is. I find it quite relaxing to do in the evenings, because I don't have to think about anything; the design is already painted on the canvas, and the most taxing calculations I have to make involve deciding on the direction of stitching that will make the most efficient use of thread. I must have picked it because it matches my walls. It is very soothing not to think once in a while.