How About a Pop of Color, Sweet Pea?

Even though I am soaking up these sunny winter days like a sponge. And even though we actually have snow in Minnesota, which I LOVE. And even though I'm taking good care of myself by making sure I have a dose of sleep, kale, and laughter every day...I still have my gray winter moments.

I'm reminded of a long-ago great aunt who would take one look at my pale winter self, pinch my cheek and tell me that all I needed was a "pop of color". Did you have that auntie/grandmother/neighbor/mom? She wore color with style, right? Including red lipstick that perhaps didn't quite suit her skin tone...but definitely suited her personality.

My February self has decided to channel that inner auntie. And, while you will not see me wearing red lipstick, you will see me embracing more color than usual!

Last weekend (after finishing my Sweater Challenge sweater--yay!), I cast on this beauty. Because it is still February, so I cannot NOT be knitting a sweater. And because it's cold in my neck of the woods, so I need something in my hands and on my lap.

The pattern is Favorite Flannel by Alecia Plummer. It's a beautifully calming top-down raglan with a once-every-four-rows bit of texture mixed in. 

But 80% of the magic here is the yarn, right?

The full measure of gorgeousness comes from Saiun by Noro. DK weight, 70% wool and 30% polyamide, it's soft enough to feel great and woolly enough to be warm when it's chilly.

I chose Color 01 (Yuki) because it has been calling (and whistling and whooping and hollering) to me for a month now. But the whole Saiun color array is gob-smackingly beautiful. Another plus? The balls are so huge at 450m/495yds I only need three of them for an adult sweater!

If you're a crocheter, a DK version of the Crochet Seaglass Tee by Wool & Pine would be an uplifting project. It could be worn over a long-sleeved something now and by itself when the weather warms up.

And can you imagine a child or teen sweater in these joyous colors? Or a dog/cat/hamster/chicken sweater? Let us not be constrained by tradition here!

This yarn will bring a full dose of joy regardless of what you decide to use it for. In fact, I could have put the three giant balls into a bowl on my coffee table and they'd be making me smile every time I walked past them.

Do something that brings a smile to your face today. And it needs to be a real smile. A big smile. Maybe slap some lipstick on that smile, if you have some in the drawer. 

Warmly,

Gaby