knitting

February is here…and the Snow just melted 😩

/ Whitney / 1 Comment

Last week I was feverishly knitting and hoping for snow. We had quite the misleading forecast. 3 or 4 days where there was greater than 40% chance of snow and it took from Thursday until Sunday night for there to be any accumulation. I was like a schoolgirl when I opened my blinds on Monday moring to see that beautiful blanket of white dressing not only the ground but icing every detail of the trees across from my second story window. Delightful!

The snow stuck around for the better part of the week, but Thursday it warmed up just enough that by afternoon there was nothing left in any sunny spot. So sad. In my opinion, if it’s got to be cold it might as well be pretty and snow covered. The dormant grasses and bare trees look so much more elegant with that fluffy white blanket all over them! And to add insult to injury Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow on 2/2 leading the USA to believe that Spring will arrive early.

I guess for now I will have to settle for the sight of snow on my knitting needles. Flurries and Squalls – the two main way snow falls here in New Hampshire - is my newly released pattern using very local Junction Fiber Mills Making Tracks DK weight yarn. I paired it with the Undyed Making Tracks for a really lovely effect.

The icy blues of their “Stick Season” colorway sung to my ocean loving, clear blue sky inspired heart. But let me show you just how many Flurries and Squalls hats I have knit…

Both of these are in Making Tracks as well… “Winterberry” and “Worlds Fair”… I love them both.

But look at this beauty!!! This version is knit in one of my OG favorite yarns, Rainbow Beach from Queensland Collection. This yarn is a true delight, machine washable, Australian wool and pretty economical too. With 328 yards in each skein and you can make at least 2 hats. I paired Ella Rae Cashmereno Sport with the Rainbow Beach for an easy care hat that is suitable for anyone in the family.

Now I have several partial skeins here in my stash so I will be working on combining skeins for a coordinating cowl or two… and dreaming of more snow. If you would like to knit along with me, and as a thank you for reading all the way to the end of my post, us coupon code FLURRIES on Ravelry for 50% off the pattern purchase price of Flurries and Squalls from now until 2/10/2024 🧶

Winter Ramblings

/ Whitney / Leave a comment

On my walk today I happened to make the trek past Prescott Park, a beautifully scenic area on the waterfront in Portsmouth, NH. There are four very distinct areas of the park – the old port, which is a deep stone walled slip with a tree lined green and fountain that host the summer music and arts, the fenced garden that is one of the most romantic garden spots in the summer months. If i were not married, I would hope that someone would propose there in that garden. It has a beautiful Japanese Maple that adds to the elegance. It is so special and small and beautifully picturesque. Then there is the dock where the Gundalow is moored, and finally an open colonial garden that speaks to my inner child. Its very structure reminds me of Carters Grove and Colonial Williamsburg. It is planted each yarn with the most beautiful variety of flowers by the lovely folks at the Strawbery Banke Museum. Here… Take a look…

Yeah… today it doesn’t look like the beauty it becomes in the height of summer. Right now it is tucked in, and preparing for warmer days. I feel like that is what we knitters and makers do in the winter. We collect our stash, tuck in with warm drink and look forward to spring thaw. Winter is my favorite for that very reason.

I love winter best because it is full of potential. We can work toward the things we want later in the year. We can plan and prepare. We have an excuse to stay home and knit or sew. And we can dream of spring blooms, farmers markets and baby chicks. And why not? Dreaming is some of the best part of the making process. Dreaming and the using of the final garment or accessory. Sometimes the making is just so tedious. This really is why we have so many WIPS… right?

So with the dream of spring in mind, here is a picture of the Prescott Park gardens in bloom.

I happen to take pictures of my Bouquet Bag at Prescott park this past June. The gardens were not in full bloom in June like they were in the photos above… those were taken in September. The seasons here in New England confuse my native southern mind. By September everything in the south is burnt to a crisp from the heat and turning brown. That’s why we are so ready for Pumpkin spice and orange Autumn tones. But I have let the seasons run away with me. Back to planning for spring: Now seems like the perfect time to cast on a bouquet bag or two. It would be a great Easter basket that could easily become a family heirloom. It is sturdy enough to fill with Easter grass and treats, but washable and unbreakable enough to be safe at the local Easter egg hunt.

So as I sit here at home, waiting for more snow to fall. If my current knitting causes me any more fits, I’ll just cast on a Bouquet Bag and dream of those beautiful spring days to come.

January

/ Whitney / 1 Comment

Well, well, well… it’s WELL into the new year and I am working to honor those “resolutions” that I made 20 days ago. “Resolutions” might not be the best word to illustrate what am am working toward for 2024, but it seems to be the accepted way to note that you want something more from the coming months and you are putting some extra effort in to make it happen!

Connection seems to be my theme this year. Chris (my husband) and I made a list of day trips we would like to take. Those are centered around the East Coast and will help us to feel more adventurous while forming a connection with the area we find ourselves living. It is important! And I can’t wait to reconnect with friends and businesses that I was able to enjoy the last time I lived and worked on the East Coast.

I am also connecting with my creativity even more – I am working on a collection of 12 different small knitting projects that will be featured in a “un-subscription” from Knitty Gritty Yarn Girl. Paulette is incredibly supportive of my designs. We are focusing on accessories that will be perfect gifts or accents for your own wardrobe. They will be seasonal, fibers will change, and techniques will be all across the board. All the designs have an approachability that I hope leaves you feeling like these are projects you want to knit over and over.

This month we are featuring a little seasonal colorwork in my new “Love Always” pattern. This collection of hat, headband and cowl feature a striped heart and perrie pattern motif. Worked up in delightfully squishy merino yarn it is quick to knit and keeps your attention.

This is the first headband I have written and knit. I don’t know why I waited so long!! Headbands are perfect for cool mornings where you only need something on your ears or maybe you don’t like hats that squish your hair. I always wore a headband when I skied as as kid – that was back before helmets and it was in Virginia, so not so very cold!

I hope you will take a look at our kits on the Knitty Gritty Yarn Girl website and if your 2024 resolution is to knit from your stash keep a look out for the pattern to be released on Ravelry on 1/29/24 for individual download. Did you make any resolutions or pick a theme for 2024? I would love to know what is on your agenda and on your knitting needles!