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.