Dear Ann,
We got home on Saturday from our two weeks away. It was a two-part roots trip, to Croatia (home of Aunt Kathy’s maternal grandparents, both from the tiny island of Olib) and to our four kids’ literal fatherland, the town of Laupheim and the city of Ulm, in southern Germany. My travelog was in real time, on Instagram (where I am @kaygardiner and you are @annshayne, as God intended), but this picture is from the best day.
It’s a long ferry ride from Zadar to Olib–3 and a half hours–and then a long ride back. Knitting, a Big Linen Shirt, sunset over the Adriatic Sea: aaaaahhhhhhh.
Upon departure, I braggadociously predicted that I would finish my tunic-modified Whitby pullover (in Rowan Denim, if you’re just joining the program) during that two weeks. That was really just motivational speaking for myself.
But I did ok. I love having a project like this to get my teeth into in a really dedicated, monotheistic way. I enjoy the way a complex cable pattern never really gets automated–the center cable is 28 rows of differentness, after all–but it reveals itself, more and more, as you knit along. Your mind grasps onto its logic, in chunks. I was already working the front–more than 7 repeats into the sweater–before I noticed that the center cable does its actual twists on the same rows (the third row of every four) as the other two cable panels, and that the twists alternate direction. The purls move around on the other RS rows, so you are cabling, but the twists happen on the same row as the twists in the other, more regular and repetitive, panels. (Are you still with me?) Anyway, the center panel is so much easier after that epiphany; maybe I’m slow, but I get there. The chart is, finally, just a reference, a confirmation that I haven’t screwed up, a friend.
Another great memory: the time in Munich when Joseph and I were too hungry to go to a restaurant and order lunch with the others, so we ate panini and pretzels in the Viktualienmarkt, where of course there is a beer station, and of course regulars just throw a token into a box instead of waiting to pay with money. I had a moment of Token Envy that was quickly soothed by a half liter of beer that really is more delicious there, under the trees, sharing picnic tables with day-drinking locals and grannies having fried fish alfresco, than anywhere else.
What have you been up to, my Ann?
Love,
Kay
I loved, loved, loved your real time travelogue on instagram! And, you did mighty well on Whitby. Better than .99 percent of us would have done, I think. xo
I loved, loved, loved your real time travelogue on instagram! And, you did mighty well on Whitby. Better than .99 percent of us would have done, I think. xo
I didn’t get the instagram, but I am SO GLAD to see a new post on my favorite blog! Great trip, great knitting. Welcome home, Kay.
At first glance, I wondered why you had knitted a heart-shaped pretzel-like thing. Phew.
Ah, thank you for this virtual vacation! And your Whitby is really motoring – you’re almost to the armhole decreases again! Too hot here to knit sweaters so I’m focusing on mittens…as if I think I’ll ever need to wear mittens again.
A bretzen in Munchen …at the Vitualenmarkt! I used to go there when we lived there on sabbatical, and buy eldest (who was an only then, and in a stroller) a pretzel all.the.time. Brings back memories. Husband has said it has changed muchly – adn that the shops are open all the time now. Did you get to any of the museums? It is such a walkable city. Much as Mayor Mike tries, the pedestrian “ways” in the City are nothing like the pedestrian zones in Europe.
Envy you a ancestor/family trip … I have no idea where my grandparents came from except a vague idea of “Russia.”
More tales/pics please?
Fried fish al fresco – oh, now I’m hungry.
What a lovely vacation.
Loved the travelogue on Instagram. Croatia is on my list of places to go, and it’s always nice to get a “civilian’s” take on it. Oh European beers… so delicious.
OOOOOOOOhhhhhhh Whitby, the beauty! I also have token envy, from a movie theater in DC. Love the lunch moment in the beer garden. I can taste it.
It’s great to hear from you. I so concur on the desirability of a travel project–the item you were working on becomes a memento of the trip.
“I am SO GLAD to see a new post on my favorite blog!” Yes, what Deborah said! 🙂
You took me back, Ann, to my one and only trip to Germany back in the 70’s, including Munich, drinking beer outdoors (the best), and of all places, Ulm, which has the highest stone church tower in Europe. Ulm was a charming little place back then; hope it still is.
I meant Kay. Kay, Kay, Kay, Kay.
We loved Croatia though our experience was a little different as we were there last February. There was no swimming! But, an opportunity to wear a lot of hand knits.
We were told again and again that the big thing in Croatia is to see and be seen and that when you got a new haircut, or a new pair of boots or…you go to the outside coffee bars to show it off. And people were sitting outside in the snow having their coffee.
We loved Croatia though our experience was a little different as we were there last February. There was no swimming! But, an opportunity to wear a lot of hand knits.
We were told again and again that the big thing in Croatia is to see and be seen and that when you got a new haircut, or a new pair of boots or…you go to the outside coffee bars to show it off. And people were sitting outside in the snow having their coffee.
Welcome back. I have another friend who just left for Croatia, I’m feeling so off trend!!
OMG. I’m going to have to visit Germany just to get one of those pretzels. Do they serve them with cheese and/or mustard?
So glad to see a post-I was going through withdrawal. As for your Snippets in the side bar- -one day I will also go to an Alabama Chanin workshop (I have the books) AND that link to PurlBee is dangerous. Not for the scarf pattern which I didn’t see but for the bit on the duvets made with the lovely double gauze fabrics. Such a temptress you are!
Gee, I’m behind the times. What is Instagram and how does it differ from blogging?
Welcome home!
LoveDiane
Welcome back, you have been missed. Glad your trip went well and I am suffering servere Whitby envy.
Loved your description of the dawning of pattern recognition – it is a phenonomen that deserves its own special knitting term – if only I could think of it, over to you?
Vicki R
PS Diane I’m with you, haven’t gone near instantgram thingy yet……
Nice to readyour post. What have you photoshopped out in the top repeat of the sweater? Inquiring minds want to know.
Kay. I misread Zadar aa Zabar. Glad you are back
Kay. I misread Zadar aa Zabar. Glad you are back
I am grateful that my Instagramming friends gave me verbal updates on your wheres-abouts. I know its ironic but I avoid that one social media (ok also Tumblr but that is another story).
Love the beer & pretzels lunch episode. That’s how travel should be!
kay, i am just wondering if the rowan denim for this sweater is from your stash, or did you buy up some of the last? also wondering if rowan has discontinued the denim for good, or if there will be more in the future (of a modified dye lot?). i guess fr THAT, time will tell. anyway, such a lovely sweater; such a g-r-e-a-t cable pattern. are you making it for me? (opleaseopleaseoplease) for this i would diet down to be able to wear it……
🙂 🙂 🙂
lovediane
Was sure that was a knit pretzel. Kind of intrigued since trying to do knit mushrooms.
Were you on Whidbey Island? We’ve thought about going in that direction. Did the Redwoods earlier this summer with NYC family.
Have a good time with the upcoming city elections and new dynamic duo of reconstituted politicians. love, naomi
I love the idea of lunchtime panini and pretzel, though with a pretzel that large I might only need the pretzel (what, I love carbs!).