Bring Home the Berries
“Real food doesn't have ingredients. Real food IS ingredients.”
Dear One,
In my little corner of the world, it is full-on strawberry season. And I am reveling in it. During the rest of the year---when mere grocery store strawberries are available in their crunchy plastic boxes---I usually lean toward other berries. But when the local strawberries are in season---in their pressed paper cartons, with crazy stems sticking out and wonky berries mixed in amongst the perfect ones---there is nothing better. I can smell them from twenty paces when I'm at the farmers' market. And I have been known to break into a run.
When my sister and I were both home with small children, we took strawberry season even more seriously than I do now: we packed up four little boys and drove to the berry farm to pick trays and trays of berries, which we turned into so much strawberry jam. We became The Jam Sisters for a couple of weeks each June and everyone reaped the benefits of our labors all winter long. Especially those four hooligans.
I'm really trying to treat my yarn a bit more like my berries...and work with what is in season, what is in its prime, what is perfectly ripe right now. As you might imagine, yarns full of linen and cotton are on the top of my list.
Next on my needles (after the Poppy Tee made with the very seasonally appropriate Cotton Lino), will be this lovely Night and Day cowl knitted in Isager Trio 2 (50% linen/30% cotton/20% lyocell). I just know I will throw this light bandana cowl on frequently when the AC is strong or the evening breeze is cool.
If it speaks to you, too, click here to choose your colors.
And if your summer knitting or crocheting leans toward the simplicity of dishcloths or the rhythm of socks, why not try a new yarn for the project that soothes you? I'm thinking Cotton Lino would be a great yarn for dish or face cloths and I'll suggest Huasco Coton Glisten for summer socks--especially shortie socks!
I realize that it can take more effort to find and enjoy things that are in season. But it think it's often worth it. The experience is richer---whether it's touching a plant-based fiber or sipping a local summer brew or biting into a sun-warmed berry fresh from the patch. Enjoy what's fresh right now.
Gaby
P.S. There is still an incentive to buy a collection of your favorite hilarious cards. From now through June 30, Buy 9 cards, get ONE free...and send laughter through the mail to all of your favorite people.
