Roving Creative Life

Places To Knit: Patio Edition

We recently moved back to Albuquerque, NM. I couldn’t be more excited to be back in the heart of the Southwest. The city is really lovely, full of blending cultures, tastes and sounds.The weather in Albuquerque is fantastic. There is so much sunshine, the winters are never overly harsh, and there are very few rainy days. Being able to enjoy the outdoors is one of the many things that drew our family back to the city. It fills my heart to call Albuquerque “Home!”

Despite the few stumbling blocks that we faces with moving trucks and new homes, the family is now settled. Our home has a great patio space off the living room and master bedroom. There is an ivy covered retaining wall, and some rock details. I knew that the patio would be important to us enjoying the outdoors. When we lived here over a year ago I was not able to make our outdoor space exactly what I wanted. Now with the pandemic, and with limited availability of products as well as the general cost of things increasing I was worried that having a cozy family friendly patio would not be an option this summer. I had watches prices on outdoor furniture and had saved over the early part of the year (after ski season, of course) to be able to invest in something for our home. I had a few requirements that were limiting too:

1. NO PLASTIC!!!
2. Comfortable for all our family, ranging from 4ft 9 year olds to 6ft tall dads.
3. Exceedingly sturdy and classic looking
4. Something that could be added to and recovered. (My parents have had the same outdoor furniture for 30 years and Mom just changes the cushions to keep it fresh and exciting)
5. Perfect for knitting.

AH, yes. Knitting. I wanted to create a space outdoors where my creativity would be sparked, I could enjoy my biggest source of inspiration and still be with my family. I do have a spot in the house where I sit and knit. I love it too… but to be outside, sipping coffee in the morning and enjoying the first few rounds of a project is this side of Heaven in my mind.

I would not only need a comfy spot to sit , but would need some clever table to catch my skeins of yarn. I would need a really good coaster and lots of pillows for just the right elbow support. Here is what I came up with:

The side chair, perhaps my second favorite spot for knitting. These pieces of outdoor furniture solid wooden structure with rope details. Very sturdy… I hope I can get 30 years out of them just like Momo.

The side tables ( of which I picked up two) came from Home Goods.

We also love to dine and do computer work on the patio. So here is how I have repurposed a beloved IKEA table from the old New River Fiber CO. Days…

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