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Yesterday was the perfect combination of play and work. In the morning my daughter ran another half marathon. She keeps on running . . .
Afterward I spent time with both my daughters.
Perfect weather, breakfast and a view.
Then I hit the road for a little work. I spent the afternoon at Bella Yarns. Kim and Naomi are the owners, and they have a delightful shop full of light and color.
Ito Washi. This blend is paper and viscose - most intriguing. I absolutely love the colors.
One of the great things about yesterday was a bit of show and tell.
Kim and the Duane Park Triangle she made for her daughter. She bought 2 skeins of Crystal a month ago and didn't waste any time putting them to good use.
And then there was this.
Ann Marie stopped by with My Favorite Things in tow. This is a good project for playing with different color combinations and experimenting with stitch patterns. Ann Marie is using Oma's Organic. Her scarf is still under construction. It's going to be beautiful.
Today is Monday and that means all work and no play. I'm off to make a dent in my to-do list.
I started the day with a reality check from my husband. "It looks like you're behind in your dyeing." If he thinks I'm behind, I'm more behind than I thought I was. It's time to pick up the dyeing pace.
But in the "look what I have accomplished" department, I finished two lingering knitting projects. Not one. Two.
Granted, they were both well underway and they're both small, but there's nothing like empty knitting needles to give me a little boost. Sometimes I have to create my own positive feedback and finishing projects is a great way to do it.
Doric Mitts.
I know it's not a pair. This is a booth sample and I only need one mitt, but I started it just the other day, and now it's in the finished pile.
Some day I do want to make a pair for myself if I ever have time for self-indulgent knitting again.
This design features reverse stockinette worked on the wrong side for minimal purling. The yarn is Oma's Organic, Peat Moss. One skein equals a pair. Not to instill any panic, but these mitts would make a nice gift item if you're thinking ahead.
Also featuring Oma's Organic . . .
Woodstacking Cowl in Byzantium. Last year I made this cowl in a different color to give it a test run. I liked it so much I decided to make it a regular feature. The fabric is full of depth and texture . . . cushy comfort. This is another one skein project that knits up quickly.
Since I finished two projects, I feel fully justified in starting something new, but I'll save that for later in the weekend. My husband is right. It's time to jump-start the dye pots.
I've already noticed some leaves changing color, so when I found this hidden in a hedgerow, it caught me by surprise. It had to be my color inspiration for the week.
Soft pink.
I haven't had much downtime this summer, let alone vacation time. My kids have been doing all the traveling, and I've had to live through their adventures. My solution in situations like this is to take getaway time - a day off here and there whenever I can squeeze it into the schedule.
Yesterday I had a small window of opportunity for escape - not the whole day, just a few hours. I put in some concentrated work in the early morning, and then I was off. After loading up the truck with food and drink, we were on our way to the beach. On my way out the door, I grabbed a new knitting project that was ready and waiting.
We had a lovely afternoon hanging out, chatting, laughing, eating. With teenagers there is always eating. Life with temperamental teens can be trying, but yesterday renewed my sense of hope in the whole growing up process.
The breeze was a bit stiff at times and the water temp was brisk, but that didn't bother me. I had time to knit a few rounds.
Woodstacking Cowl in Oma's Organic, Byzantium. This cowl is an effortless project . . . perfect for a day at the beach or any getaway day.
I found this week's color inspiration hidden in the grass, not far from the beach. Shades of blue and gray with stripes for a bonus.
Shattered shell.
Often ideas have to marinate and simmer awhile before everything comes together. Several ideas have been brewing in the dye pots over here, and I'm happy to finally release one of them.
Oma's Organic is a DK weight yarn that is grown and processed here in the US. While many yarn bases come from abroad, we do produce wool here in this country. In my effort to buy locally I've been searching out US produced wool, and Oma's Organic fits the bill. As an added bonus, it's spun here in New England.
Oma is German for grandmother, and this yarn is named for my Oma, my great-grandmother. She was Oma to everyone in the family. Oma preferred to be outside tending the garden and her chickens rather than doing housework. She lived to a ripe old age. Naming an organic yarn with her in mind seemed appropriate.
Oma's Organic is a 2-ply yarn full of spring and bounce. It produces rich colorways and has wonderful stitch definition. Oma's Organic is available now online. If you want to see it in person, it will be at all of the fall shows.
