Monday, January 19, 2009

Here and Now

Where do I begin......

This is here and this is now -- from Here and Now by Great Big Sea -- and that seems to be as good a place to start as any.



Saturday was a wonderful day -- one when I got to wander around a book store for as long as I wanted AND check out a new yarn shop. I knew as soon as I walked through the shop door that it would go into my book as a favorite. Purl Diva is a small cozy shop tucked in an older home on a side street off the main drag in Brunswick, just about the halfway point on a trek to Portland. I wanted to sit down in front of the sock yarn cubbies and just bask in the beautiful colors and variety of brands that I had never laid eyes on before. Being like every other knitter or quilter I've ever met or whose blog I've read, I wanted to take home as much as my car would carry. Considering I have a van, that could be a king's ransom's worth. The store owner, Ellen, was a pleasure to talk with and answered my questions as if I was the first to ever ask them. Oh, did I mention Loki, the shop assistant? Loki is Ellen's dog, half Australian Shepherd, half Border Collie. Appropriate to have a herding dog around wool yarn, don't you think. Unfortunately Loki's forays into the shop at large were limited so she wouldn't disturb browsing customers. No worries Loki, I'll remember to restock the pocket with biscuits before my next visit.





With much restraint I made my choices: a hank of Smooshy Night Vision , one of Madelinetosh Clematis (Purl Diva is the only Maine yarn shop listed on Madeline Tosh's website. Aren't I lucky! New Hampshire has just one, too--Spinning Yarns in Dover. I'd highly recommend checking out this line. I found it on a Ravelry page.), one of Fleece Artist Sea Wool from Nova Scotia, and finally one of CascadeYarns Heritage sock yarn. There was a pattern and book on the receipt as well but we'll discuss those another day once I've knit up one of the patterns.


All of the colors I chose were subdued, more in keeping with the tastes of the recipients I have in mind. Of the 13 or 14 pairs of socks I've knit, all have been given to women in the family. Now one of them is a mad sock knitter herself so I can't pawn off any more on her. My husband is my next victim, I mean recipient, and maybe another pair for my mom-in-law, affectionately known as Gram, who lives with us.

That brings me to the end of this, my first blog. It's off to bed with me. Tomorrow is a monumental day in this country's history and I don't want to miss a minute of the ceremonies and festivities.