Ocean Blue
Posted on | October 31, 2010 | 15 Comments
I love knits with meaningful associations or a good story and I sense that this knit will quickly become an old favorite for this as much as for it’s wear-ability.
I love this knit for so many reasons.
For the yarn, with it’s memories of the last MDSW I attended, driving up with a dear friend who is now very far away, and spending time with others that I haven’t seen in far too long.
Because it’s Peace Fleece, and I love a yarn with good intentions.
For the color, which reminds me of the ocean, where I started knitting it up this summer while on a trip to visit a friend from across the country. The ocean wasn’t actually blue (very brown really – choppy surf or recent storms? I am not knowledgeable about the sea) – and neither was the sky – obscured by heavy clouds and intense humidity. And my friend and I didn’t actually knit together, but isn’t that awesome that a knitting friendship can grow so deeply from that initial connection? I love the loose associations – the ocean that really is deep blue green if you look from above; the sky that reflects the ocean (and really is blue, when the humidity dissipates), and the wonderful friendship underneath it all that began with talking about string.
For it’s promise of cooler weather. We had one of the hottest summers on record this year here in NC, and all I wanted to do was knit cozy sweaters to wrap up in on frosty days. It was over 100 degrees F at the ocean when I cast on, standard this year. Fall is always my favorite, but I have not longed for Autumn as much as I did this summer when it was hard to imagine shorter days and the need for wool. Knitting this sweater was a reassurance that the seasons will change.
For recognizing my knitting escapism during a stressful period, and making the effort to knit mindfully. For intention – for knowing this sweater would be the perfect cover up for my morning yoga & sitting practice, or for a little warmth before class in a chilly room.
For the simplicity and wearability of the pattern. For great design. For knowing how much wear I’d get out of it before I was halfway through.
For knitting on faith. For diving right into the collar, which seemed an appropriate swatching opportunity, for just enough yarn (I haven’t even a tail left to show you. Spit-splicing all the way and just enough to seam it up) – and for appropriate yarn in the stash for trim when I ran a little short.
For the trim, which is knit of yarn that was intended for a no-longer-my-style WIP I finally frogged last year. Beautiful cream colored Brooks Farm Riata, from SAFF, that very cold year that Tad & I saw Gryphon, had some great hiking, and got stuck in the mountains with our beloved TDI golf and it’s gelled biodiesel. And the super kind guy who drove us out a new fuel pump and then towed us to his old-time garage with the tie-dyed sign and got us fixed up and on our way. I could have made the sweater shorter and all one color, but I love the cream colored tipping, and these additional memories now built into the sweater.
For reminding me why I have a knitting blog – because of the valued connections that have come from it, because I love the stories as much as the knitting, and when the two are intertwined like this over a period of time, it becomes a part of my life and individual history.
When it’s like this, I never wish to be a faster knitter.
Playing: Welcome Home, Son by Radical Face
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15 Responses to “Ocean Blue”
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October 31st, 2010 @ 7:58 pm
mel — a beautiful post, perfectly suited to this beautiful sweater. love the blue, and the cream trim. just the thing to herald in november. went to early morning yoga this morning, and thought about how nice it will be when i have my snowbird finished! i should move mine closer to the top of the pile…
October 31st, 2010 @ 11:28 pm
this looks like the kind of sweater you could live in – day in, day out – and never tire of it. beautiful work.
November 1st, 2010 @ 3:27 am
Thank you for this great post. I too love it, when you already know while knitting a project, that you will wear and love it till it falls apart!
November 1st, 2010 @ 3:54 am
Mel, I LOVE it. The color is amazing, and the pattern is going in my queue. I thought there was something funky going on with the pockets, but it’s just the mirror? Interesting design idea…
November 1st, 2010 @ 9:01 am
Love this! and that color is beautiful with your skin tone. Prettyyyyy!!
November 1st, 2010 @ 9:09 am
Mel, this is so LOVELY! If you were closer, I’d have to steal ahem… borrow it often; it looks like the perfect sweater for fall.
November 1st, 2010 @ 11:25 am
It does indeed look perfect! Love it!
November 2nd, 2010 @ 2:35 am
Oh I love that.
November 2nd, 2010 @ 5:01 pm
Beautiful sweater, Mel!
November 3rd, 2010 @ 4:23 pm
You know, that trim is the very first thing that I noticed on that sweater and I think it makes it just that much more your very own. And that peace fleece is just going to get softer and more cozy over time – mmm, lovely!
November 5th, 2010 @ 3:03 pm
This is such a beautiful post Mel. The words, the sentiment, the sweater. It’s fascinating to read all the memories tied into this particular piece of knitting. Some days I fear I’ve become too product oriented…wishing too often I could ‘just knit faster’. This post was a gentle reminder that it’s better to knit a little slower and to weave our lives into the project. In the end, it will mean so much more.
The sweater itself is amazing (as are your photos)…the different color trim really sets it apart and has me thinking maybe I should add it to the queue.
One day, out of respect for how we met, we must knit together.
December 9th, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
Mel, I came for another look at your sweater, and followed your link to Peace Fleece. I’ve never been there before – it’s cool! I LOVED the Waldorf toys, and the handpainted buttons. I think I’ll add the sweater to my queue, and your contrasting cuffs and hem are just beautiful. May or may not copy you…
December 22nd, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
I love the sweater. Perfect for sitting ’round a fire with a hot cup of something. Perhaps remembering the memories knitted with it?
December 31st, 2010 @ 5:46 pm
Mel!! This is drop-dead gorgeous!! Def one of my favs of your projects! Well done! Miss you and hope to see you soon!!
February 9th, 2011 @ 11:34 am
I love your project, as always, but most of all I love your words!