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.
Wow! You have saved future shirts (and a few current w/o holes) of mine from getting holes. This problem has vexed me for years. Thank you!
Thanks to your recommendation, I have one of the stretchy belts and it’s great! One of my least favorite necklines is bateau – at least the ones that are so wide that keeping bra straps from showing is a real struggle. Talbots has a bad habit of making many of their knit tops with that neckline. I prefer a simple crewneck, or not too deep v-neck. Switching to jeans – JJill is going to be revealing a new line of jeans this fall, and I look forward to your reviews. One of the features which has become more important to me is the weight of the denim. I really can’t abide stiff heavy denim anymore – not comfortable and too hot for the majority of the year. Happy knitting with the baby blanket…you manage to do so much with the hours in a day!
Love the pink pants story. Can you get the hole embroidered with a flower or something or is it gaping? Perhaps a capri lemgth? I love you in more color!
I’m going to try something for sure
Greetings from Australia Jennifer. I had no idea that the small holes in my tops were from my jeans I thought that maybe somehow moths or something had eaten the hole .Thanks for the tip on the belts.
Regarding the cut in your pants. Have you thought about visible mending? It is very trendy now and fun to do. I think you should try it. There are many options on how you can do it. Since you like to sew and knit and you are fashionable I think you would like doing it and be happy with the results.
I’ve never heard of it Judy. I’ll check it out. Thanks.
I love Patty Lyons! She has made so much sense to help in my knitting journey. I told her years ago that she is my knitting “guru”. The color of yarn you are making a baby blanket out of is gorgeous! You’re outfit with the beige shirt is great!
She’s mine too!
I like cowl neck sweaters for a couple of reasons- yes, the look on my frame, and secondly, comfort!
Those jeans look fabulous on you! Cute outfit!
I love your neutral outfit, Jennifer. It suits you to a tee. I wish I could wear Chico’s no iron shirts, but my short waist and curvy hips tell me no can do whenever I try them on. I don’t understand why they don’t offer petite sizing for their tops.
I think because their sleeves are cropped, they probably assume that’s all it needs. Petites have many other sizing needs