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I've been enjoying a little break in my travel schedule. It's given me time to catch up on a few things . . . not everything, but I'll take what I can get. And it's given me a terrible case of startitis. This little lull has tricked me into thinking I have endless hours to fill and that I should occupy them with at least five new projects.
So far I've resisted the urge to actually cast on, but that doesn't mean I haven't entertained some project possibilities. A couple of them require color combinations.
I've allowed myself just enough time to consider several options.
I'm sure there will be more color play before I settle on anything. Maybe by then I'll have some time to go with these ideas. In the meantime, I have plenty of work to focus on.
Last weekend I was at a craft fair and found several fun, interesting things. I even put a dent in my holiday gift list. Don't panic. There's still plenty of time. I also managed to find a little something for myself. Candles are part of my daily ritual this time of year, so I was delighted when I found these beeswax tea lights. My color inspiration for the week.
Warm light.
The other day I had several hours of waiting at the hospital. I left the house prepared with a couple knitting projects in tow. Even the simplest procedure can take longer than expected, and I wasn't going to take any chances.
Once I was situated in a comfy waiting area at the hospital, I pulled out my knitting. It didn't take long for one of the nurses to comment. "Those are tiny stitches," she said. She went on to explain that it was going to take me a long time to finish. I was working with US 5 needles. As someone who knits socks on small needles, US 5 seemed almost hefty. It all depends on your perspective, I guess. The nurse was very friendly, and I didn't debate the point. We had a nice chat about knitting.
Later in the day I found myself in a different waiting area. Again, one of the nurses commented - pretty colors, looks soft. "The yarn has a bit of cashmere," I explained. She went on to tell me that she had recently taken up crochet. We continued to discuss the personal satisfaction that comes from making something with your own hands. She even pulled out her phone to show me pictures of things she had made - fruit, animals, all sorts of 3-D objects. She uses them as gift items. It was a delightful conversation.
I always enjoy unexpected conversations that spring up around knitting. People are so willing to share information about what they make and why they make it. I especially enjoyed these two because they broke up the monotony of a long wait.
A quick progress update on Zephyr Cove.
I finished the striped section and have done a few rows of the short row section. The beauty of this design is the variety. I enjoyed knitting the stripes and just when I had had my fill, it was time to move on to the next section. This project wasn't a priority, but now I'm hooked. Like a good book, I have to keep going to see how it ends.
Over the weekend I was reminded of the benefit of having more than one knitting project under construction. The project I had planned to work on hit a snag . . . a snag that doesn't have a quick and easy fix. In fact the only solution might be a completely different yarn base, but that requires time to order and dye the yarn.
Instead of fretting, I let go of that project and turned my attention to one where I could easily make forward progress.
Zephyr Cove to the rescue. This project isn't too taxing. I've moved from solid garter to striped garter. Back and forth, back and forth . . . creating stripes while I ponder my problem project.
I have a little wiggle room in my schedule, and it's given me time to work on a couple ideas that have been percolating. It's one thing to have an idea for a project. It's another thing to find time to work on it. Coming up with an idea is often the easy part. Finding time to make it happen is the challenge.
I keep a running list of projects under the When I Have Time heading. This week I took three things off that list and took steps to make them a reality.
I've had this idea since late summer / early fall, so it hasn't been marinating for long. I came back to it a couple times this fall with different colors in mind. After a little more debate this week, I've settled on this - Mavis Lace, colorway Purple Rain. No more dithering. This project is headed for the needles.
Some plants are just as beautiful in the fall as they are in the spring and summer . . . but in a different way. My color inspiration for the week.
Mother Nature's lace.
Since I have a couple weeks before I hit the road again, I've taken a little time to sift and sort through some of the fiber festival chaos. There are bins and bags and boxes. Some of them are organized, some are a random mix of this and that.
I was happy to discover a couple bags with my purchases from the fall tour. This time of year I'm surrounded by wool week in and week out. There are some gorgeous yarns out there on the fiber festival circuit, but the reality is I don't actually buy that much. I try to take a quick walk through at each event, but sometimes even that isn't possible. If nothing else, it helps keep my spending in check.
I did manage to pick up a few skeins along the way, and I noticed a pattern.
All of them are natural colored. Nothing flashy. Pure, simple wool. I consider it a good balance to all the color I'm bombarded with.
I have a little breather between shows. That can only mean it's time to start a new project or three. I've had a request for mittens, and some of this yarn is designated for that. Now that I think of it, I could use a new pair myself.
It's Monday morning, and I'm catching my breath. My inbox is full, the dirty laundry is piled high and the refrigerator is empty. Before I get to work, I'm going to indulge and savor the weekend for just a little longer.
On Friday I drove out to Western Massachusetts and Fiber Festival of New England. This fall I've logged so many miles on the Mass Pike that my truck should know the way by now. Of all the events, this one is closest to home. It was nice to see so many locals come out.
The market was busy, but the pace was relaxed. There was enough time to talk with people - answer questions, discuss knitting techniques, consider color combinations, catch up with friends. And yes, there was even some baseball chatter.
For today . . . a picture postcard of some of the fun.
Memories of a delightful fiber weekend to carry me through the busy week ahead.
November. It's hard to believe. Just last week I finally flipped the calendar page to October.
I'm hitting the road later this morning, or at least that's the plan. The truck is loaded, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to leave. My personal packing is easy. I got back from Toronto on Monday. I didn't completely unpack my suitcase from that trip, so now I have a jump start on packing for this trip. Sometimes procrastination can turn into a bonus.
There are always a few last minute, lingering details before a road trip. The skeins I recently dyed need labels.
I've known this all week long, yet somehow I didn't manage to get them ready until this morning. No matter how much planning and preparation, I'm always working until I walk out the door. Sometimes procrastination comes back to bite me.
I'm off to pull it all together but leave you with my color inspiration for the week.
Brown in many shades.
