More photographs of me in handknits. Oh goodness.
Alas, we are deep in the season. The season of down comforters, of seven of us living just as close to this woodstove as we can get. The season of chicken waterers in five gallon buckets thawing by the stove all day long, of mittens and ski boots thawing on the hearth, of socks and slippers and sweaters and shawls. It's season of a lot of wool. As much wool as I can manage to layer upon myself and those who will let me layer them up, actually.
Of course, it's all matter of personal preference...for there is a twelve year old in our midst who walks aaround in shorts and a tee shirt decidely (determinedly?) comfortable, despite my please to put something on, please! And little ones who remove those slippers just as fast as I put them on. But me - and those little enough so that I can still keep them dressed - well, I'll happily layer on as many woolen bits as I can on these coldest of winter days. Outside and in. A hat and a shawl inside the house? Yes! Happily! And shall I cast on for another? I think so.
I've been a little ansty to give Swans Island yarn a try - Maine made, certified organic, and created using all natural dyes. A delightful combination that appeared quite unexpectedly (wink, wink) in my Christmas stocking. After just a bit of Ravelry searching, I decided upon a new hat for me - the Dustland Hat by Stephen West. It's got a little bit of slouch, which is perfect for the pile of hair that's usually on top of my head at home in braids or buns or other such things. That messy pile of hair tucks right into and under this hat comfortably. And oh, that yarn was just as yummy to work with as I imagined it to be.
(She brought me the shawl, I assure you. The fun and fabulous game of dress-undress-dress again is alive and well in my eighteen-month old baby girl.)
Now if only I could convince those around me that all these woolens are really necessary and required, I'd have more reason to knit we'd all be toasty warm.
