Hello, knitters! I hope this finds all of you well and healthy and enjoying this time of quiet. It’s funny but I’m finding myself busier than ever trying to cram in all of the things I never have time to do! I’ve been knitting, walking and planning projects for yarns I’ve been dying to use.
FOOTPATHS
Boy, walking has been a saving grace for me during these strange days. I’ve been on the Bayou St. John just about every day since the shut-down. I go early in the morning; there aren’t many people around and it’s deliciously quiet and deserted.
On Sunday, I decided I’d like to walk the full length of the bayou from mid-city to the lakefront. I estimate that I walked about 6 or 7 miles. What a beautiful trail! It winds past historic Pitot House, along the edge of City Park and ends dramatically at Lake Ponchartrain.
I was hoping to see an alligator but had to content myself with turtles, ducks and other waterfowl. This handsome fella had a rumply red face and a head of hair like Elvis!
Do you know the old New Orleans joke, “Bet I can tell you where you got ‘dem shoes?” Well, here are a few place I had my shoes on Sunday! This Sunday, I’ll be walking a little of the same route, but veering off to explore a little known island in the bayou, Demourelles Island.
DESIGN
I’ve had this idea since coming home from France in the fall. As you may know, we sailed along the Cote d’Azur from Toulon to Cassis stopping every evening in one glorious seaside town or another. There were several factors that were common to each port: a Catholic church in the center of town facing the harbor and a carousel!
Inspired, I thought that there must be a way to marry a natural fiber in a nautical way with some of the antique whimsy of the carousel. Since Bandol was one of my favorite stops with its rustically gorgeous church and richly authentic morning market, I’ve imagined the Bandol Wrap. Tipsy Knitter Dana, in quarantine with her sick boyfriend, kindly agreed to knit the sample.
Sometimes, inspiration comes in color, as with this enticing marine blue. In keeping with the nautical theme, I began to dream of these socks, Navigate by Stars, which feature little mariner’s cables and deep ribbing. I’m working the heel now and will soon be looking for test knitters.
KNITTING
If Navigate by Stars is my daytime knitting (because of the dark color), Octavia has been my evening knitting. I’m knitting along with Tipsy Knitter Natasha as she test knits this one. I’m loving this slip stitch pattern and am looking forward to the repose of some simple ribbed edging.
READING & STUDYING
Did you know that The Great Courses is offering a 30-day free trial? It came up in my Instagram feed and I jumped right on it! Since our next European destination is likely to be the UK, I chose “The Great Tours: England, Scotland and Wales”. This a fabulous 36-lecture series by Dr. Patrick Allit, a professor from Emory University. He is British and therefore has a first-hand knowledge of these areas and their history. This course is detailed, in-depth and thoroughly enjoyable. I can’t decide between Latin 101, The Irish Identity or The History of Christianity for my next course.
Currently, I am reading “The Seven Storey Mountain” by Thomas Merton, a book that has been on my reading list for quite some time. This is an actual book, not an audio book. It has been a long time since I picked up a physical book and I’m very happy that this is the one. It is the story of the journey of a young man from childhood, through conversion to life as a Trappist Monk.
So there you have it! My World This Week in a rather large nutshell. Stay safe and healthy and talk to you soon!
Love,
Cheryl
