Going west
New York City has decided to favor me with one last beautiful snowfall before my departure. The icy little flakes are gilding the berry clusters on the mystery tree I never did manage to identify (a blow to the pride of this woodland girl, I can tell you) and sizzling down the chimney onto the firewood I’ll never burn. I’m drinking one last glass of tea from the adorable shop downstairs before I pack away the kettle and the last of the glasses. It’s a bit of a woebegone day for me. Tomorrow the movers will come and I’ll have one last hurrah with my Spiders. And then on Tuesday we’re off to the next chapter. Time is passing shockingly fast. In fact, I’ve wasted more time staring out the window at the snow than I’m willing to admit.
So let’s turn to more cheerful thoughts. When I alight in Portland, it will be Spring. I’d almost forgotten how much earlier the season comes in the temperate west. My belle-mere, with whom we’re settling at least for the first couple of months, is an excellent gardener. I’ll have the chance to really get my hands in the dirt. In no time I’ll be photographing my knitting among the tulips and rosebuds instead of against the brick and concrete of my deck here. Mr. Garter’s mom is also a lapsed knitter, and she gets inspired when I’m around, so I’ll have a companion in the craft. And I’ll have all this to knit up:
Behold the European yarn haul: an absurd amount of chocolate tweed wool/alpaca for the Cabled Riding Jacket (I’m so nuts about this stuff I’m thinking of asking my friend in Milan to bring MORE when she comes to the States in April); enough wine-colored wool/angora for a sinfully soft, lacey sweater I’ll probably design myself; and two yummy hanks of wool I’ve earmarked for some kind of fair isle mitten pattern. Not the Pirate mittens, I think – the colors aren’t piratic enough. I’ve been eyeing that Foxes & Geese mittens book, whatever it’s actually called, and maybe there’s something in there that will call to me.
So much fabulous knitting to be done, and I’ll have lots of time for it, at least for a couple of months. Definitely something to look forward to. I’m scrambling to finish Cozy for my sister-in-law so I can hand it over when I see her in two weeks, and I had to dash off a pair of my favorite Koigu ruffle-rib booties for new baby Tyler, whom my cousin produced in February:
But it’s almost time to cast on something new. I’m bringing everything I need for the Hourglass Sweater – what’s better car knitting than endless stockinette? – as well as my trusty Montse Stanley in case I need to bust out a provisional cast-on on the road. And I’ve had one sorry Retro Rib sock languishing mateless in my drawer since October, so I’m bringing the yarn for that, too.
I’m chasing the sun west, my friends. Good things must follow. Change is opportunity. Now if I can just discipline myself to finish packing the last two $*@#ing boxes…
Posted: March 2nd, 2006 at 9:39 am
I think you were knitting that Retro Rib sock when I met you…
It’s so sad to see you go!
Posted: March 2nd, 2006 at 9:55 am
Wow – Tuesday is SO soon! Here I was thinking I still had you for almost another week. We’re going to send you off in style tomorrow night and, I promise, New York will miss you as much as you miss it.
Posted: March 2nd, 2006 at 10:04 am
what a wonderful, melancholy post. i’m sorry that i won’t be at your send-off tomorrow, but i wish you much luck out west!
Posted: March 2nd, 2006 at 11:08 am
We are all going to miss you so much! Let me know if you score any great fiber out west – since that’s where they have all the sheep!
Posted: March 2nd, 2006 at 11:08 am
🙁 sadness… but that’s quite a yarn haul! it would make any knitter’s heart warm with happiness!
Posted: March 2nd, 2006 at 12:20 pm
It is a beautiful snowy day 🙁 I hope you guys have fun tomorrow. And good luck with everything. It was great meeting you.
Posted: March 2nd, 2006 at 1:30 pm
So sad! You will be missed out here where the cold lingers. I’ll see you tomorrow, though, and you’ll be visiting, right?
I really love that chocolate tweed and can certainly understand why you’d request more. Yummy! Let me know if you get sick of it!
😉 And do keep us updated on the sheep/wool/yarn situation in your new area. Not so many sheep wandering here in midtown…
Posted: March 2nd, 2006 at 4:45 pm
You really should buy Fox and Geese and Partrige feet, totally worth it! I’m going to miss you, not that I’ve seen you recently, but still…maybe you and Mr. G will go to grad school in Boston! Drive safely.
Posted: March 3rd, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Sniff! Farewell Blue Garter, we hardly knew thee. Good luck with the packing.
I loves me those Koigu booties.
Posted: March 3rd, 2006 at 7:32 pm
OMG – that chocolate tweed looks like rich melted chocolate…perfect for dipping strawberries in!
hope the move goes well!
Posted: September 2nd, 2006 at 5:10 pm
Might I be so bold as to ask where you found the pattern for those adorable Koigu ruffle rib booties?? They’re so cute!