What's Your Beautiful Day Project?
“I live to enjoy life by the littlest things, feeling the grass between my toes, breathing fresh air, watching the wind sway the trees, enjoying the company of loved ones, a deep conversation, getting lost in a good book, going for a walk in nature, watching my kids grow up. Just the feeling itself of being alive, the absolute amazing fact that we are here right now, breathing, thinking, doing.”
Dear One,
Last Saturday---at least in Minnesota---was the quintessential summer day: eighty-something degrees, blue skies, the occasional puffy cloud, and a lovely breeze. And my family had it's annual Welcome to Summer gathering at my brother and sister-in-law's home. The food and drink and setting were fabulous and we hadn't gathered as a large group since December, so conversation flowed freely all afternoon.
As I moved from a great group on the porch to a great group in the dining room and shifted between storytelling and listening, then between laughter and teariness...I realized I'd forgotten something.
I was missing the comfort of having a lovely-but-simple project in my hands during all of these hours of catching up. I think I'm a better listener when my hands are preoccupied. And sometimes it seems that others feel more free to talk when I'm not staring them in the face all the time.
What yarn do I wish I'd brought along on an 85 degree day with the windows open and the breeze blowing? Something plant-based. Like this Pima Grande from Jody Long. It's organic, fair trade Peruvian cotton in a fabulous bulky weight and it comes in some great colors.
Our shop sample is the Graph Paper Blanket by Fifty Four Ten Studio. And it's completely charming. (We switched to US10 needles to get the fabric right). But for table-hopping and conversation-jumping, I might need something even more laid back.
I think I might choose something that only takes one or two brain cells. Like the Super Easy Crib Blanket from Purl Soho. The pattern has lovely, think bands of color---but the instructions simply say to knit each color until you finish the skein, so that's easy. And I think it would look fabulous in just one color as well.
And garter stitch? Knit every row until you're done? That seems like a project for a beautiful, distraction-filled day.
Please don't read anything into the fact that I'm suggesting small, baby-oriented blankets as beautiful projects for this sunny, social time of year. I do not have any babies in my world. But I do enjoy a small blanket over my legs in the air conditioning...or on my shoulders while watching a thunderstorm blow in.
And your beautiful day project may be a tank top or a dishcloth or a series of tiny crocheted dinosaurs. It's just good to remember that a simple project often enhances an already amazing day.
Cheers,
Gaby
P.S. Please note that Yarnology will be closed on Saturday, June 20. There will be a car show blocking the street in front, and the Winona Steamboat Days festivities going on throughout downtown. Have a wonderful time eating the food and taking in the sights and we will be back to normal hours on Tuesday, June 23!
On-Going Opportunities:
Makers Mornings -- 3rd Saturday of each month (Jan-May and Sep-Nov)
Beginning Crochet Class -- usually once per month on a Thursday afternoon
Beginning Knit Class -- usually once per month on a Thursday afternoon
