I've had a bad elbow for about 10 years now and if I mention it to people, they almost always say- "It's the knitting, right?"
Well, the knitting doesn't help the elbow, but it wasn't The Cause. The Cause was a terrible job that injured my body and mind for a year or so. I remember the way the sky looked the day I quit- bright rays of sun, shining through the gray - a promise that things would be better- maybe not easier, but better.
"I’m suddenly certain that the cold has healing powers that I don’t yet come close to understanding. After all, you apply ice to a joint after an awkward fall. Why not do the same to a life?"
Author Katherine May published Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times while we were in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, and I wondered aloud last week if it would have taken off quite like it did at any other time. Don't get me wrong, it is a beautiful book full of important lessons, but we aren't always drawn to books like that as a people. We aren't adept at adapting.
"We may never choose to winter, but we can choose how."
Yes.
In the spirit of a tranquil winter, we are highlighting a shop favorite - Malabrigo Washted. Washted is a single-ply, worsted-weight, Superwash merino. There is something about the sheen of the wool and the way it captures color (Malabrigo shines at color) that keeps my mind happy while I'm knitting or crocheting. It is both light as a feather and warm enough for even the coldest days.
With it, I made the Wintercalm Cowl, which you can find (free!) here. This pattern only requires one skein of Washted, or about 210 yards of the worsted weight yarn of your choice. Wicker stitch is one of my favorite stitches- especially with a variegated yarn. For a tutorial on wicker stitch, click here.
Happy Winter! Happy New Year!