Fall knitting

It's that time of year, where knitting with lovely wools starts to be fun again. (Although I really enjoyed working with the Berocco Seduce this summer, as well as an "ecologie cotton" from Nashua Handknits.) This post from Katy Elliott inspired me to post my latest project, Stephen West's Boneyard Shawl in Serenknity's Blue Lagoon. I'm also struggling through some late birthday scarves as well, but it's hard to tear myself away from the Blue Lagoon. I'm a one-project-at-a-time kind of gal, but I'll be juggling a few projects in anticipation of my upcoming Rhinebeck trip. More on that later...duty calls...

Vacation time

Well, we all took a deep breath last week and dove headfirst into vacation mode. The theme? Family. First, A's parents came and we had a veritable festival of food and crafting. A's mom is from Chile, and super talented in the kitchen and very handy with the sewing machine. First order of business was empanadas. (Photos courtesy of A.)

The filling:



Into the oven:



The finished product:



Then, the sewing lesson!



I (finally) finished my Norah Gaughan Flow tank. I've always wanted to make a pattern by her, and this seemed a good place to start. There was a little panic toward the end when I thought I would run out of yarn (Berroco Seduce in Chana Dal), but I made it though with a bit to spare. It turned out a little bigger than I thought it would, but it's nice and flowy and I could even wear it in the fall with a long sleeved shirt.



And overcame my fears and learned how to can jam...fresh peaches and sugar...yum:



Then, after an all-too brief visit with my favorite aunties at my mom's house, we packed up the Boston Terrier and wild child and headed for Bailey Island, Maine to attend my cousin's wedding. Miss M did an excellent job as last-minute train carrier. The dress was exquisite, it was my grandmother's dress from the forties, restored to its glory. Very old-fashioned and beautiful.

Putting it out there

I've been pretty busy lately petting yarn for an article I am working on for a lovely new knitting magazine, but in the meantime I shot off a letter to the editor of The New York Times Sunday Magazine regarding an article that ran last weekend about clothing sizes for women who wear size 14 and up. It's a pretty personal topic for me, since I have not worn smaller than a size 12 since I was that age. Since high school I have fluctuated 20-30 pounds, but always within the sizes 14-16/L/XL, so it was interesting to read a piece in a respected paper about how companies view this market, and how women in this size range are frustrated by the lack of choices out there.

I think that most of the time when you write something really personal you don't actually think about the fact that lots of people will actually read it, so I was a little freaked out when I found out that my letter would be printed. The editors cut the part I wrote about my frustration with trying to find a triathlon suit for an upcoming sprint triathlon I'll be in...all of the size 16s seem to be sold out. (Hmmm.) People might see sizing as a "Don't eat so many ho-hos" issue...and for some people that might actually be the issue...but I think most women who are in this market are working with (or against) genetics, life-saving medications, age, etc. And for God's sake I'd just like a decent range of quality clothing that won't break the bank.

Anyway, there are many opinions out there about sizing in general and I know that a lot of my smaller-sized friends struggle with the same issue. For my part I don't even look at sizes anymore. If I feel good in it, I wear it. If you're taking care of yourself, exercising, eating your veg, indulging in wine and goodies with friends on occasion, and you're happy, life is just too short to hate your bod.