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We're all quick to undervalue what we're good at, taking for granted our unique set of skills and characteristics. I thought about this while my son, Johnny, was home for the day Sunday. We were not at all sure where he would find his
A few weeks ago I had what I thought was a no-big-deal health issue. I went to the doctor, and all of a sudden I need a biopsy. Wait. What? I'm not a medical professional by any stretch, but even a layman like me knows that biopsy is another way of saying, Hey, you might have cancer. So I submitted to the procedure, and went home to do what any right thinking person does after more
We're back from the weekend retreat to Winchester. We had eight brand new retreat attendees, two mother/daughter sets, one mother-in-law/daughter-in-law pair, and return friends who came from as far away as Boston and Florida for the weekend! It's a lovely little mini vacation at a lovely venue with great food, but the most fun part is simply being together with other knitters. No matter how happy you are in your marriage or relationship, there's no substitute for your girlfriends, and for knitters, that's doubly true. Only another knitter will understand some of the seemingly irrational decisions we make - like going 20, 30, or even 60 miles out of more
Not yet the solstice, but already full on summer. This time of year I love to knit because, well, do I really need a reason? Lots of us knit wooly things all year round, like Jenny and her tribe who are knitting the beekeepers' cardigan. And lots of us going on the retreat are knitting Emma in straight up winter yarns like Shibui Drift. With air-conditioning, there's really no reason not to knit with wool all year round. I mean, how many of us actually finish things we start "in season?" Maybe Emma, which is worked on size 11 needles, but the other stuff? Not so much. Oh, my intentions are good, but the truth is that we finish things when we do and we wear them as soon as we can. Right? So, I love a good all-season fiber that I can wear no matter what. For me, that's silk. Silk is like champagne - it's always the right time for it. So, when I see gorgeous silk, it's hard for me not to buy it. That's why we have this glorious pile of Aine, (pronounced "awn-yah") a spectacular mulberry silk from Juniper Moon Farms.
I love most everything Juniper Moon does. Moonshine, Fourteen, and Findley, to name just a few. They're all lovely, and Aine is a worthy member of the Juniper Moon family. Light and lustrous Aine is everything you want silk to be. It's great in a simple garter stitch, but a yarn this silky is happiest in a fabric that's heavy on the stockinette to show off its smoothness. The Banana Leaf Shawl is a perfect choice.
With its large alternate sweeps of stockinette and reverse stockinette, the Banana Leaf Shawl lets Aine show off on both sides! It's an easy pattern, but not boring to knit. It's also easy to wear with generous length and a crisp angled ends. Takes just three skeins. Once you get your hands on Aine, you'll wish it was more - the knitting is just that good.
If you're a sweater girl, think about Aine in a delicious shell - like maybe this little confection, Bonny, with a draped neck and lace panel.
Most sizes take just three skeins too. Great on its own or under a jacket. You could actually do both the shell and the shawl and turn the whole thing into a wonderful evening set. Black pants, silk shell and shawl - and champagne. I think so, definitely.
Come pick your favorite color and create something beautiful. I look forward to seeing you in the shop and around the table. You are always welcome here.
~Ellen
