Road Tripping and Knitting

Tripping can be seen as a negative thing - fumbling, stumbling, and falling come to mind - but when it's connected to the "road" it quickly becomes joyful.  And better still is to go on a road trip with an armload of yarn feeling hopeful to return home with a stack of new hats.

First stop Baltimore.  Wintery winds blustered me into a neighborhood coffee shop where I finished hat number one and tried it on for size.

That evening I went to D.C. and it was just as cold there - but my new hat handled winds blowing from every direction.  Where to next?  There is more to see and now I'm armored with a warm new hat.

On to Ithica where there was more than just wind blowing.  I woke up the next morning to a layer of snow covering the street.  I finished hat number two in time to try it out on a wintery walk.  I need warmer hiking boots!

I was happily knitting in Ithica for two days before continuing on to Rochester.  As soon as the car wheels stopped, I jumped out to stretch my legs.  I stopped in a park and watched the sun go down behind some trees.  Diamonds, diagonals, and stars were my idea for hat number three with hot pink to warm it up around the edges.

Last stop Brooklyn, where friends showed me around their neighborhoods and warm orange and yellow street lights juxtaposed the grey and somber blue of the cold night sky.

Overall, I think I faired well during my northeastern trip in the middle of January.  It wasn't that cold when I had yarn running through my fingers and was armed with circular and double pointed needles, and a pair of scissors and a sewing-up needle in my holster.

All of these hats are for sale by EmolynKnits.  Contact me at emliden@gmail.com.

Knitting Wonderland

As I'm sure you know, we've seen more snow than usual this winter. On the news I've been hearing, "Oh this blasted snow!" while others have been saying "We've had a hard winter." I have to admit that all the while I have been saying "This is best time of year for knitters!"

Today my dear mother and I were leaving the house for an afternoon jaunt. We layered up and I met her at the door. "Wait a sec mom," I said "Look at all the handmade knitwear we're wearing!" I puller her outside into the sunshine (though it snowed all evening this morning beheld the bluest of skies) and I gave my dad the camera. We had to get a picture of our knitwear in use. And worn all at once - might I add.

My mom and I were wearing ten knitted items. My mother had on one of her hand spun, dyed, and knitted vests under a sweater made by the same mastered skill. She also wore socks and a hat which she made and a pair of mittens one of her students so sweetly gave her. I was wearing my own socks and sweater with a scarf and hat made by my mom and mittens made by my aunt Suz. We were well suited for the walk. Actually, once we got going I realized I was a little too warm and had to take a layer off. The least I can say is we were two very happy knitters! Now we just need knitted long-johns.