Blurry Cowl

This has been another intense week.  In the midst of so much distressing news, it's important to be stay positive.  Look for things that give you hope.

My little flurry of finished projects continues.

Blurry Cowl.

This project is an entertaining combination of texture, stripes and lace.  If you need a relaxing knit, this might be the ticket.

I used the Lucia DK Bundle in Moon Shadow.  This 2-skein combo includes a skein of Sprinkles.  The pattern sample used a speckle-type yarn in the top section.  I swapped the two types to highlight the texture on top.  This pattern would also work well with two skeins of contrasting yarn.  So many options.

Just a reminder that tomorrow (Saturday) I'll be on Zoom.

Hours:  11:00 - 1:00 Eastern

Meeting ID:  821 1169 0785

Stop by for knitting chatter or just to say hi.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Dim winter sun.

Tincture

I'm off to a productive start this month with a few projects coming off the needles.  I'm mired in mountains of paperwork, so it's encouraging to have finished projects piling up. 

Tincture.

Slip stitches make this a relaxing colorwork project.  Plus the fabric is cozy and warm.

I used the Marybelle DK Bundle in Moon Shadow.  This is our 

non-superwash base.  It's great for colorwork projects and makes 

long-wearing hats, mittens and sweaters.  Follow the link for additional color options.

Weekend Market

My first Monday of the new year is off to a rocky start.  I've spent hours on the phone with a government agency.  As if that weren't frustrating enough, I had to dash out to fax two batches of documents to said government agency.  That took well over an hour and tested my patience.  It didn't help that the clerk sending the fax pointed out that most watches are faster than a fax machine.  Welcome to 2021.

For your Monday, here's a quick heads up about a virtual market happening this weekend.

New England Fiber Vendors are hosting another market.  It would have been our annual Knitting Weekend at Slater Mill.  Since that's not happening, the Virtual Market seemed like a good way to mark the occasion.

I'll be available via Zoom on Saturday.  Once again I'll be joined by Fiber Stash Dyeworks and Three Bags Full.

Hours:  11:00 - 1:00 Eastern

Meeting ID:  821 1169 0785

This is a great opportunity to chat about samples or colors.  Stop by with questions or just to say hi.  I'm offering free shipping all weekend.  No code needed.  See the Facebook page for details on participating vendors and special promotions.

Now it's back to the phone.  I'm on hold . . . again.

Resilience

Time has a way of becoming meaningless during a pandemic.  Add a holiday week into the mix and the days simply melt into each other.  My daughter was convinced today was Saturday.  I was pretty sure it wasn't, but I had to think long and hard to figure out our true place on the calendar.

As knitters, we've been coping with this pandemic one stitch at a time.  There's a distant light on the horizon, but we still have a long way to go.  The calendar will be changing, but the pandemic rages on.  Don't give up . . . keep knitting, keep stitching, keep making.  Resilience will carry the day.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Brighter days ahead.

Finding the Rhythm

I hope everyone had a good holiday and has recovered from the festivities.  It's challenging to be productive on the Monday after a super long weekend.  I thought I would ease into the day, so I started with some knitting.  After an hour or so, I discovered my stitch count was off and had to rip out everything I had just knit.

It's all been reknit now, and as long as I keep counting my stitches, I'll be OK.

It can take a while to find the rhythm of a new project, but I think I have the hang of it.  This is the beginning of my Christmas In The City Wrap.

Here's the full color lineup.

I needed a new shawl project.  Early in the pandemic, I made Namibia by the same designer and really enjoyed it.  I think this design will be equally entertaining.  Anything new on your needles post-holiday?

A Time to Make Do

It's crunch time.  This year the scope of our holiday preparations is different, but that doesn't mean there isn't last-minute scurrying.  A week ago I thought I had it all under control.  This week, not so much.

I had a cookie baking marathon over the weekend and crossed that off my list only to get a request for one more kind of cookie.  Now baking cookies is back on the list.  I positioned the vacuum cleaner in such a way to encourage others in the household to take it for a spin.  That strategy hasn't been successful.  I'll either have to give a direct order or do it myself.

This year the holiday menu is long, but the guest list is short.  There will be plenty of food to deliver and share.  

I know many others are facing similar pandemic restrictions.  I'm reminded of the matter-of-fact way my grandmother would talk about shortages during the war.  She would make do with what she had and carry on.  So it is today.  We have to make do with the current restrictions and carry on.

After all the hustle and bustle, there will be plenty of time for knitting.  Every year I look forward to some relaxing downtime.  Maybe even a little peace and quiet.

There are a couple projects that are almost finished and some new ones waiting in the wings.  I've just joined my Blurry Cowl and am ready for the stripes.  I know many knitters cast on something new during the holidays.  What's on your list?

If you're celebrating this week, take a moment to pause and reflect.  In the midst of all this crazy chaos, there's still so much to be grateful for.  Enjoy the holiday!

Since it's a short blogging week, here is this week's color inspiration.

A wall of holiday cheer.

Winter Solstice Giveaway

Happy Winter Solstice!

I've been toying with the idea of a holiday giveaway, and today seemed like a good day to get things rolling.

I'm giving away one of the winter club installments.  The winner can select either the fingering or DK weight option.

To enter, hop over to the Instagram post and leave a comment with your current favorite project.  The comments will be open through December 24.  Looking for pattern ideas?  Be sure to browse the comments.  There are a lot of good suggestions.