In with the new
Thank you all for your warm reception of the new free patterns! Reading your comments has been a bright spot in a dark December. I’m ready to look forward: after the way 2008 ended, 2009 just has to be an improvement. It’s already favored us with a glorious sunny day when rain was predicted:
And also with a windfall of wool and good books. I always stop into Island Wools when I’m up home, and today I went in knowing I didn’t need a thing, but eager to see the kind yarn store ladies and their latest goods. Browsing the local offerings, I uncovered three skeins of unmarked handspun. They were very different from the abundance of thick-and-thin, lanolin-sodden wool singles on offer from a spinner on Waldron Island. I liked them. I inquired about them. We entered into a little exchange of local trivia – the yarn was spun by Edie so-and-so’s former daughter-in-law, who moved off the island, but her sheep are still here; so-and-so is looking after them at that little place across from Portland Fair. They weren’t expensive, and in all there were sixteen ounces of DK or worsted weight–perhaps enough for a sweater if I threw in leftovers from my Amanda cardigan and a skein of chocolate Coopworth I have at home for yoke patterning. I bought them.
I saw the sheep in their pasture, and my best guess is that they’re natural colored Romneys. Medium-size, fluffy (not curly), small ears, chunky legs, dark faces (some with a splash of white), coats variegated from almost chocolatey to pale grey-beige. The yarn is oatmeal-grey, with deep brown fibers sprinkled richly through. It’s not merino, but it’s fairly soft and should be fine over a shirt.
Besides knitting sweaters like they’re going out of style (I have somehow committed myself to four sweaters for family on top of the ones I want to make for myself), here’s what I’m burning to do in 2009: walk part of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I don’t know if it will even be possible, financially or time-wise, for us to journey to Europe this year, but I bought a book about it and the dreaming has commenced. What are your big dreams for this new year?
Posted: January 2nd, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Looks like a glorious day, indeed, and what a wonderful yarn find! My husband and I are dreaming of doing some traveling this year — either Ireland, Banff, or the Pacific NW — unencumbered by obligations or other people’s schedules/agendas. Spending time outdoors, relaxing, and plenty of reading.
Posted: January 3rd, 2009 at 6:33 am
i would love to got europe! you should definitely go if you can! i don’t have any concrete plans for the new year except to be as happy and healthy as possible 🙂 happy new year to you, A, and lark!
Posted: January 3rd, 2009 at 7:42 am
Happy New Year to you as well! Well, we’re also dreaming about doing some traveling this year. Me and the husband hope to make a trip down to Peru and see Macchu Picchu. It’s on my list of things to do and it would be so wonderful if we could make it. Other than that I just hope for a happy and healthy 2009 🙂
Posted: January 3rd, 2009 at 8:11 am
I hope you get to Spain this year – how great would that be? My dreams include a little piece of sparkly bling for myself (if you know what I mean) and for less stress at work! Can’t wait to see what you do with that yummy local yarn you bought. I’m sure it’ll be gorgeous!
Posted: January 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
I don’t know if this is a goal for 2009 or just one from the nearer-rather-than-farther future: I want to go back to Edinburgh. We spent three days there in summer 2007, which was just enough time to convince me it’s my dream city. I think I need to go back to verify that. 🙂
Posted: January 3rd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
happy 09 to you sarah. it looks wonderful the wool. and i have a few projects on my plate. firstly a zimmermann sweater, shaded aspen leaf, cardiganized, in lett lopi.
Posted: January 3rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
You could totally squeeze in a section of the Camino. I did a section of the Camino in 5 days – I flew to Madrid and spent a night there – took a train to Leon – had a few hours to look at the Cathedral, then took a train to a small town of Ponferrada (sp?) just West of Leon. Got off the train – walked up a hill to a Templars castle, and started on the trail.
That would give you a very healthy taste of the Camino to Santiago. Just remember to wear your scallop shell as a sign of your pilgrimage! If you want to use the hostels you will need your pilgrimage passport. If you aren’t catholic you can still find someone to sponsor you.
I am sure there are much better resources out now than when I went. (I picked up guide in Leon) Just have super comfy shoes, and carry food and water with you always.
Posted: January 4th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Ooh, a trip to Europe would be lovely! I hope you are able to make it happen. Our only major plan is getting through another year of school, and planning our wedding for this summer. I think that’s plenty, though!
Happy New Year to you and yours–I hope 2009 is filled with joy for you all. 🙂
Posted: January 4th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
My daughter spent this fall semester in Spain and took a class on the Camino. As part of the class they walked the last 100+ k. She loved every minute of it and plans to go back in 2010 which is a jubilee year I think. Most accommodations on the camino are hostels so if you can get yourself to Spain the rest of the trip should be pretty reasonable. Good luck with your dream.
Posted: January 5th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Lovely yarn – It will make a beautiful sweater!
I am enthralled with your concept of the walk in Spain. A brilliant idea – and if not this year, maybe next? Sometimes it just takes things being in alignment to work out, but how great to have a goal like that to work towards.
I want to do a few more endurance rides this year, and try for a multiday ride. I know my horse partner is up to it. It’s mostly me that we are handicapped by. I’m toying maybe with joining the gym to try to get up to speed and keep up with Bhen (my horse), who is a hard-body without really trying.
Posted: January 5th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Lovely yarn! I hope you make it to the Camino : )
My big dream for the new year is to design a Fair Isle yoke for an EZ pullover and steek it into a cardigan.
Posted: January 5th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Happy New Year! I hope 2009 brings you everything you hope for. That yarn looks amazing; I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
I have several big dreams for the coming year, but more than anything, I am just hoping to make as much of it as I can, despite whatever limitation my body throws at me.
Posted: January 5th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I walked the Camino in 2001 (500 miles of it) and loved every minute of it. As of then, you didn’t need to be Catholic, or even Christian, to have full access to everything along the trail. Anyone who wanted to walk could walk. Just get the special passport if you want to stay in the albergues. If you want any info from me about it, just let me know, I’d love to share. I want to walk the Camino again some day (which book do you have? I’ve read many of them and love to “relive” my journey.)
In 2009, I will visit India and Africa. Past that? No other dreams or goals formulated yet. But I’ll work on it.
Posted: January 6th, 2009 at 3:32 am
My big day dreams are all much closer to home (I’ve only been outside the United States once). My husband and I are hoping to sell our condo and buy a house this year. Nearly every decision we are making right now revolves around this hope for the new year.
Posted: January 6th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I love the story behind your new yarn. No matter what you make with it, it will have a special memory attached.
Because I have to find a job, and moved last year, my dreams too are closer to home. But a cycling trip in Italy is on the list for next year. 🙂
Posted: January 26th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Lovely knitting! I’m new to your website, and am especially thrilled with the Gee’s Bend blankets. I saw the quilt show in Halifax, Canada, and was totally enthralled, as you were. Would you consider sharing tips/patterns?