Monday Musings: Four Tries, One Hole, No Regrets
Happy Monday, ladies. I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was pretty chill, with a walk in the forest, dosa at a favorite restaurant, and a stop by the yarn store.
I’d put my knitting away for most of the summer because the arthritis in my hands was making it less enjoyable, and knitting is supposed to be meditative for me, not an activity I need to recover from.
When I began looking for a new project, I deliberately chose one that uses larger needles so I could ease my hands back into it rather than announcing my return with three thousand tiny stitches and a repetitive strain injury.
I decided on a baby blanket in a very simple pattern made from individual patchwork squares, and the pattern that can be customized with different motifs. This sent me straight down the Ravelry rabbit hole, looking through other knitters’ projects for ideas.
At the moment, I’m thinking about a sailboat, a truck, and a teddy bear. Beyond that, I’ll see. I’m trying not to overplan it.
I also chose a beautiful, ahem, polyamide yarn, which is a very elegant way of saying the baby’s mother can toss it straight into the washing machine. This blanket is meant to be used, dragged around, spit up on, washed repeatedly, and hopefully loved into a slightly disreputable state.
I’ve been knitting since I was 15, so it was humbling to cast on and rip the edge out 4 times. Four! The more projects I read, the more I realized I was overthinking it.
This is where I need to give a shout-out to Patty Lyons, who is a knitting wizard. She has a way of explaining the mechanics behind knitting, so I understand why something works, rather than simply following directions that give an average outcome. Even after all these years, she continues to teach me things I didn’t know I needed to learn.
A Lovely Surprise in Seattle
During my shopping adventure in Seattle this week, I had the absolute pleasure of running into a reader at J.Jill.
She introduced herself, and I’m so glad she did. Meeting a reader in person is always such a delight because a name from the comment section suddenly becomes a real woman with a voice, an expression, a story, and a wardrobe of her own.
We had a lovely conversation and then went our separate ways.
Naturally, it was about ten minutes later when I realized I should have asked whether she’d be comfortable taking a photo with me. I might also have asked her permission to share a little more about her here.
Apparently, my social instincts work on a slight delay.
So, to the lovely reader I met in Seattle, thank you for introducing yourself. You made my day.
I also picked up a new pair of jeans during that visit. A try-on will be coming soon, so stay tuned.
On My Mind: Color
Color has been on my mind because I’ve worn far more of it this summer than I normally do. Many of you have noticed and encouraged me to keep going.
I’ve enjoyed experimenting with it because bright color can lift an outfit and sometimes my mood, too. But there are also days when beige feels like peace and quiet.
Repeating our clothes is the goal, whether they’re hot pink or navy. I simply find neutrals easier to repeat because they don’t stay in my visual memory in quite the same way. I can wear the same beige shirt several times without feeling tired of it, while a strong color can feel more memorable to me.
I’ve written before about why some people feel most at home in neutrals while others come alive in color. Neither is better. It’s simply interesting to notice what our own eyes and nervous systems seem to prefer.
ILSE JACOBSEN FLIP FLOPS… I WORE THESE SNEAKERS FOR MY WALK.
That may explain why, after a summer of experimenting with brighter shades, I reached for a beige linen button-down and blue jeans for my Sunday walk around town and a completely necessary trip to Sephora. It felt wonderful.
Does this mean my summer of color is over? I don’t think so. I still have a few colorful pieces I haven’t worn, including the bright raspberry pants I bought and hemmed myself.
Unfortunately, I also cut a hole directly into the front of one leg. Not near the seam. Not somewhere discreet. Right in the front. I’ve been sewing since 7th grade and used to make all my clothes! Ugh.
Carelessness or a Freudian slip with sewing scissors? I haven’t decided.
Reader Questions:
Q ~ Have you had problems with jeans making holes in your sweaters? It’s not from a belt because I don’t wear one. I’ve actually switched to pull-on styles just to avoid it.
A ~ The holes you’re mentioning are not made by a belt. The culprit here is the stiff corner of denim on the waistband where you button your jeans.
I swear by these no-show elastic invisible belts. Besides the one above, I also have this style, this style, and this style. They all do the same thing…cover the stiff edge of fabric so it doesn’t make a hole in my tees or sweaters, prevent that edge from poking into my tops, and prevent gaping at the back of the waistband. I wear the closure slightly off center.
Q ~ What necklines work for a thin, corded neck? A polo doesn’t hide it, and a lower neckline feels too cold with winter coming.
A ~ Cowl neck is your best bet. It drapes instead of hugging, so nothing pulls tight against the cords, and it keeps you warm. Wrap or cross-front necklines are great too because they give you a soft diagonal line instead of a straight one right across the throat.
And don’t skip the scarf. Loosely knotted, it breaks up that long line, which is really what’s catching the eye.
I’m off to Pilates today. I’m trying to keep up with 3 times a week, without beating up my feet too much.
I’m curious…what’s your favorite neckline in the fall? Now that I’ve looked at all these cowls, I’m going to keep an eye out for a nice one to add to my wardrobe. They have such a graceful look.
I love neutrals too. Seems calming and classy. I like cowls but don’t often see them to purchase. These days I mostly just wear round neck tops. Covers a lot of sins 🙂
I’ll be on the hunt for more so I’ll share what I find.
Jennifer, The Chico’s linen shirt looks great! So many ways to use, maybe as jacket with tee or tank underneath, etc. Is yours beige?..because that isn’t shown as a choice on their website.
My favorite fall neckline is a crew neck tee with a v-neck long sleeve overtop, or blazer, and a scarf for warmth or style!
Thank you for all great “tips and talk”
Yes, the beige is sold out. I’m not the only woman loving neutrals.
Have you considered using embroidery to cover the repair of the hole in your raspberry jeans. It can look lovely and of course makes your jeans unique.
I enjoy your blog.
These are wide leg linen pants but I may need to resort to that 😄
No show elastic belts!! Who knew?? Thank you! It has been so hot here in SoCal, Fall seems like a distant far off season to contemplate. My favorite neckline is a crew neck with a lovely scarf tied just so to soften the aging neck.
I love all the varieties of cowl necks! I don’t like a tight turtleneck anymore. I occasionally wear a mock turtleneck if it is large enough that it doesn’t fit too closely to my neck. I actually bought 3 new tops in darker colors for fall that are in the cowl neck styles.
You may be interested in the store Cast On! Cast Off! (castoncastoff.com) for inspiration, knitting materials and patterns! It’s Canadian and located on the north coast of Newfoundland, so shopping online is something they are very good at! Love it.
Thanks Susan!
Thank you for just being you! Have a most lovely day!
Thanks for being here!
Hi Jennifer,
I’m a sewer too and have made the same mistake. Sounds like those pants just became shorts. No one will ever know!
LOL!
Can you turn those pants into Bermuda shorts?
I can try but I don’t wear shorts 😉
Jennifer – love that you consult Patty Lyons for knitting advice. I am a HUGE fan and her “Knitting Bag of Tricks” is a lifesaver.
Enjoy knitting the baby blanket. Please post progress.
She’s a genius!
Jennifer, your suggestion of the belts to wear so that jeans don’t put holes in tops/sweaters was genius! I honestly believed that the holes were from the zipper because I had gained a few pounds and my jeans were a bit tight. I had devised a piece of soft fabric that I pinned inside my jeans and draped over the button LOL! I had seen your tip in a previous post and had ordered the belts you suggested, but I wanted to thank you. My sweaters and cotton knit tops thank you too!
Yay! They’re such great belts for just holding pants up too. Mine tend to slide down because of my body shape.
Good Morning Jennifer: I absolutely love the outfit you chose for your walk around town. You look great. That linen shirt from Chicos matches your hair, the boyfriend jeans fit you perfectly and those Ilse Jacobsen shoes are very unique. I like them. You’ve mentioned those belts before and I forgot all about them. Going to order today and I also might sneak those flip flops into my cart. As always, thanks for a great Monday Musings.
Happy Monday, Lea Ann
Good for you setting a weekly goal of 3 Pilates clases per week. This month I quietly congratulating myself for starting barre 11 years ago! With breaks for 4 surgeries over the years I’ve always returned to it. My doctor recently told me that her patients who reach 90 yrs of age all seem to do sort of strength classes like this. Give yourself time to adjust, you’ll thank yourself f your discipline!
Way to go! I’ve been intrigued by Barre but I’m afraid it’ll kill my feet. Does it use a lot of foot strength?
Not really. I have I have a chronic stress fracture in one foot and so I don’t do moves on tip toes, but otherwise love it. Full body workout online now, lots of instructors and choice of 30 and 45 min classes under their app Xponential. You can try it out free for a week if you’d like.
Wow! Thanks Deanne.
I love a cowl neck in a drapey fabric. They are very flattering on a big bust. I also like a funnel neck for a sweater. It’s not quite a turtleneck, but still give some coverage and warmth. And I’m sort of the opposite of you right now on Color. All my neutrals are boring me to tears!
That’s what happened to me earlier this summer. I think variety is nice!
Hi, Jennifer. I loved your story about meeting one of your readers in a store in Seattle. Guess what? I am traveling to Vancouver with two granddaughters at the end of August. Maybe I will run into you there! P.S. What is the name of that tea shop you like to frequent? I may want to try to find it because I enjoy tea and pastries, and I bet my granddaughters do too.
My favorite is Murchies in Victoia. The two in Vancouver don’t have pastries etc. There are a lot of wonderful tea shops here! I’d love to meet you!
I am a sucker for a turtleneck. Luckily, I live in a climate where I can wear the style for many months out of the year. Love scarves for the same reason–they keep my neck warm when the weather changes! And thanks for your mention of the stretch belts. I bought a few several years ago on your recommendation and they work great if you don’t do the tuck with your tops. I will have to pull mine out again and start using them; I just had to toss my favorite t-shit due to a hole. Sigh.
Good morning. I really like the boyfriend jeans, I’m going to stop by Jjill store and try them on. My favorite neckline is Vneck
It opens your neck.
I have a couple cowl neck French Terry tops from LL Bean many years ago which still look great! I have a long neck which is starting to sag a bit under my chin. I’ve always worn turtlenecks but in the last few years they are using too much elastin in them and it straggles me. I switched to crew neck and mock necked knit tops. I prefer cool neutrals. I’m a Summer blonde turned white and silver so beige is unfortunate next to my face. I could wear a light blue top underneath that shirt as an open top layer but I don’t own any beige shirts. I’ve knitted and sewn all of my life too! Had to make my clothes because petite sizes didn’t exist in my day. I’m 81. I can’t knit anymore because of my rheumatoid arthritis and I so miss it.
Thank you so much for explaining why those little holes appear in my tee shirts and thin sweaters. I have a no show belt I use to shorted the look of too long tees without tucking. Now I will use it like you have shown us. Sorry about the hole in your pants. I assume its too high up for them to be turned into crops or shorts? I am also on the lookout for cowl necks. Its such a nice alternative to turtlenecks which don’t do me any favors anymore.
As much as I love turtlenecks, they’re not my best look anymore. I’ll still wear them…
Jennifer,
Those jeans look so cute in you!
Lisa
Hi
Over the years I have learned that a deeper Vee neckline works best on me. Not always easy to find. In winter I like a turtleneck or mock turtleneck. And a Vee neck with a collar. Not sure how to describe.
V with a collar is usually a polo neck.