Letters
Summery Dreams of Cashmere
Dear Kay,
By the time you read this, I’ll be away on vacation for the first time in about two years—vacation, I mean, where I’m not simultaneously working on MDK. Like, time off. I’m pretty excited—it’s just a ramble to visit family and friends. Including you. But Kay, we are not going to talk about MDK, OK? We’re going to act like normal people and talk about our favorite thing: knitting.
As I write, I’m deep into that most delicious of tasks when preparing to ditch out: figuring out the knitting.
I’ve got a couple of things with me that are going to be a lot of fun.
Vacation Knitting Option No. 1: Antirrhinum Socks by Rachel Coopey.
Many people believe socks are the greatest travel knitting. I am one of those people, so I’m looking forward to getting my eyelet game straightened out once and for all.
Vacation Knitting Option No. 2: Nesting Wrap by Bristol Ivy.
You may recall (or more likely don’t) that I finished a Nesting Wrap earlier this year and found myself a newborn fan of two-color brioche. Since then, we’ve received a fresh supply of Jade Sapphire’s 4-ply Cashmere that has gripped me anew, so much so that I am paralyzed at the thought of having to choose only one colorway to make, of the four colorways we have just brought in.
By the time you read this, I will be motoring away on my Nesting Wrap, having made the excruciating decision of what color to make. But just for fun, I’m curious what colorway you like best.
Kryptonite and Under the Haystack.
My plan is to use our newly updated, simple-for-summer Nesting Wrap pattern. Bristol’s pattern is a sculptural thing, with curves slicing across the two-color brioche. It’s elegant, but it does require one not to be in a moving vehicle or otherwise distracted by vacationy surroundings. This simpler version, which is included in the Nesting Wrap pattern, allows me to set up the two-color brioche stitch, then just crank that stitch pattern without any curved sections. I’m looking forward to this as a way to make a Nesting Wrap into excellent travel knitting.
Here are tips and hints I learned on my first Nesting Wrap. I’m giving myself advice—how weird is that?
I left town July 22. I’ll be back July 31. The plan is to be as unplugged as I can stand to be. It may not be very unplugged, but it’ll at least be a time to let go for a bit. While clinging to my knitting. Of course.
Love to everybody,
Ann
There’s a lot to be said for unplugging. And if I ever do it, I will say some of it. You first, Ann! 🙂
p.s. Have a wonder-full time and enjoy your knitting and every other good thing. Vacation! Wheeee!
I can see why you had trouble choosing a color way. They are all glorious. I made a cowl with their yarn last winter and it felt so wonderful – I was torn between actually knitting it and just sitting there petting the skein!
All the color combos are gorgeous! I guess it just depends on the statement you want to make. Can’t wait to see your finished wrap!
I think that the green Kryptonite combo is perfect for summer knitting.
Oh, yes!
Happy trails! You deserve a break after birthing this wonderful upgraded site and the many schemes and challenges of the blog with Kay. Come back refreshed and ready to offer all of us more woolly creativity.
I tried & tried yesterday to order your newest book, but kept being dragged back & forced to begin putting in all of my information over again, till I gave up. Is it my new computer, or is there some way I can order by phone or????
Hi Dee,
You will get an email from Liz Masterson, our queen of customer service, to sort this out. So sorry for the inconvenience!
Kay
Pewter and Flannel suit. Have fun!
Verdigris and Mallard. Which is really outside my comfort range — I normally prefer greens only on money and lawns. (Kay, make sure she remembered to pack the loose cat hair to incorporate into her knitting. If not, maybe Olive can give her some loose dog hair.)
I second the nomination of verdigris and mallard – it looks so beachy!
I bet Kermit remembered that detail all by himself. Olive says she doesn’t shed any more than I do; she’s a terrier for Pete’s sake!
I am also in the verdigris and mallard camp! I’ll enjoy seeing what you pick. Enjoy your vacation, and say hi to Kay for us! Oh, and…”tips and hints [to self]” is how I think of and use the Ravelry project “notes” section. I supplement that with sketchbooks full of notes on projects. Of course, my metaphorical pants sometimes fall down even with this belt-and-suspenders approach!
Pewter and Flannel Suit, followed by Slate and Silver Fox. They’re gorgeous!