Camino de Paz, November KAL and walk-along

It's almost November and that means it's time for the annual Healthy Knitter knit-along and walk-along. In years past, I've conducted this as a mystery KAL yet this November I decided to change things up just a bit and be transparent. For those of you that just can't take the leap with a mystery KAL, this ones for you.

Meet Camino de Paz, the path of peace. Knit and walk (not simultaneously of course) the path of peace in November and find yourself ready for Project Peace (kicks off 12/1). Camino de Paz is a simple color work cowl using 2 colors of sport weight yarn. It's the perfect first color work project yet equally rewarding for the knitter with lots of color work experience. The finished size is just right to wear on a walk to ward off a chill. Finally, it's just the right size project for gift knitting...in case you needed to knit up a quick gift for someone. 

Of course, there's a back story to this pattern. Pour yourself a wee cuppa to find out about the inspiration behind this cowl. 

The idea for this cowl began on December 24, 2016. We'd just finished Project Peace 2016 and my life had been forever altered as a result of all the wonders that occurred during those magical 21 days. Each new day was filled with inspiration and several of those moments have been turned into patterns including Camino de Paz. 

The motif. It was Christmas Eve and hard as I tried to focus during Mass, I couldn't take my eyes off the shirt worn by the woman sitting in the pew in front of me. It was a struggle that went like this ...pay attention, don't forget this pattern, pay attention, oh where is my phone to take a photo when I need it, pay attention, don't worry as you'll never forget this motif, pay attention, wait what did it look like again? ...  it was days before I was able to sketch out the motif. I'm still not sure if the motif that I drew was actually the pattern on this woman's shirt but I liked the result nonetheless.

The name. In February, I visited my parents in Albuquerque. On a late night trip to the co-op, I found some yogurt labeled "Camino de Paz." Of course, this caught my attention. Peace yogurt...I had to try. Best yogurt E.V.E.R. Turns out that Camino de Paz is a middle school north of Santa Fe that teaches the students to farm (produce, sheep, goats) and sell the products at local farmer's markets. I'll share more about this school as we near closer to December. It only seemed right that there should be a pattern named Camino de Paz. 

The Walk-along. For all the walk-alongs, I try to name the pattern with some word that has to do with walking. It just seemed like Camino de Paz was the perfect name for a walk-along.

November is one of those months that can be challenging to walk. As the weather changes, our thoughts of getting cozy on the sofa with a blanket, warm beverage, and some knitting prevail...walking takes a back seat. For this walk-along, the challenge is to walk every day for 30 days regardless of how far. Walk for 5 minutes or walk for 50; it doesn't matter just as long as you get up and go for a "walk." 

Giveaway. With the pattern purchase you'll receive a 30-day walking log. Fill this out each day and at the end of the month, send me documentation that you've walked all 30 days. Or you could do a 30-day post on Instagram with a photo from each walk. Use the hashtag #caminodepazwalkalong At the end of the month, everyone that walked daily will be entered into a giveaway for a project bag and some yarn (TBD) and I'll randomly select a winner. Of course, the real prize is the fact that you walked daily for 30 days. 

Need some support? Join The Healthy Knitter Ravelry group and interact with other super friendly and kind knitters that love to walk. 

The pattern. Purchase the pattern on Ravelry. Use the coupon code NOVEMBERWAL2017 to receive 20% off. After you select "buy now" there will be a link that says "apply coupon code." Click that button, enter the code and automatically see the price reduced. If you don't see the price lowered then something hasn't worked right. Please make sure that the code has worked prior to purchasing. The code is valid through Thursday November 2, midnight, Central Time.

Currently, only the information sheet is available on Ravelry. The full pattern will be released on November 1 along with the document to record your 30 days of walking. All the details about yarn requirements are listed on the information sheet (sent to you via Ravelry upon purchase) or on the pattern page in Ravelry. 

Whew, that's a lot of information. I'm so excited about this pattern and can't wait to see all the new Camino de Paz cowls and to read about people's adventures. Please make sure to post photos on the HK Ravelry group. Remember to make a project page on Ravelry, click "fave" and place the cowl in your queue. All these actions help the pattern receive more attention.

I'll leave you with a wonderful quote by Thoreau. 

“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
”

— Henry David Thoreau

The story behind the International Peace Park shawl...

On September 21, the International Day of Peace, I released a very special shawl pattern named International Peace Park, in honor of that day. I thought long and hard about a shorter name for this pattern but the inspiration for the shawl truly was the International Peace Park, so the name stuck. You can read more about the symbolism of this shawl on a previous blog post and on the Ravelry page. The pattern is on sale (20% off) through today (9/25) with the coupon code IPP2017 (apply at check-out prior to paying).

The International Peace Park shawl available on Ravelry

Today, I want to tell you a bit more about the back-story on this design. Some of you may recall that I had some big summer plans to camp and travel the Pacific Northwest with my duaghter in the spirit of the April mystery knit-along and walk-along, Coddiwomple. Those plans changed when our famil decided to remain in Iowa and not relocate to the west but I wasn't ready to abandon my ideas for a mother-daughter camping trip.

So we made our way to Glacier National Park in Montana for a week of camping not knowing where we'd camp but with the sole purpose of spending time together in the wilderness. We compromised from the get-go... 6 miles a day of walking, no more (said the daughter), no less (said I).

Prior to having children, I camped A LOT. We camped with our first child but after the second and third arrived, camping no longer seemed realistic. I've sorely missed camping and I've also felt a responsibility to expose my 13 year old daughter to this form of independence. I want her to know she can draw strength from nature as she moves forward in life. It was time...

We spent our first night at a campground 1.5 hours south of the Glacier National Park on Flathead Lake. We'd learned the best way to get a campsite in the "park" was to arrive at a campground at 5:30 a.m. and wait in line. If lucky, you'd end up with a spot. So we broke down camp at 4 a.m. the following morning and headed to park, hoping to get a campsite. "What if we don't get a spot?" said my daughter. I replied "then we'll figure it out."

As luck would have it, we were 4th in line with 4 spots available...and we got an amazing spot on the shores of Lake McDonald. Here's my daughter expressing her joy of both finding a campsite but also the "room with a view."

We ventured to Avalanche Lake, one of the most accessible and popular hikes in the park. Since we arrived so early we beat the traffic headed up to the lake and were greeted with the most amazing view of mountains, waterfalls and a pristine alpine lake. The walk down made us realize just how many people were in the park...

Other hikes revealed bear grass, furry critters, mountain goats, wildflowers galore, hunting for heart-shaped rocks, close encounters with two bears, and jaw-dropping views.

We hiked (6 miles a day, no more, no less), she read, I knit, we played in the frigid water, drank coffee/cocoa, and had time to focus on one another. What a gift!

On the last night as we feel asleep under the vast night sky, we vowed to spend time together each year for years to come. On the outside I smiled with delight. On the inside I cried knowing that this strength and independence she garners will carry her to distant lands to experience her own adventures; to make her own way in this world and to touch others with her gifts. And that's what it's all about, right?

So, not only does this shawl represent a map of Waterton-Glacier National Parks, it reminds me of our mother-daughter coddiwomple as I knit on the prototype during this time.

On our last day in the park, the smoke that covered so much of the Pacific Northwest thsi summer began to roll in leaving the mountains with the most beautiful haze as if the scene were fading out.

It continues to amaze me how knitting connects us with loved ones, nature, life's experiences, and can provide us with nourishing solitude or create community. If you choose to knit this shawl, may you find peace.

Bird Woman Falls in the background...

International Day of Peace...

“Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people.” ”

— Jawaharlal Nehru

Today, the world celebrates International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, a day established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001 for people to come together to observe a period of non-violence and ceasefire.

For me, this day serves as a reminder that peace is a choice... my thoughts, my words, my actions to self and others have the power to promote peace. While not a simple task and perhaps one of life's greatest challenges but certainly, in the scheme of life, these peaceful choices may be one of my greatest contributions to my family, community and beyond.

I became aware of International Peace Day last December, during Project Peace. I've been thinking (and planning) for this day since that time. I wanted to create a knitting pattern in honor of this very special day to serve as a reminder that we must continue to choose peace...not lack of action or a passive life but small and simple ways to be kind to self and those around us.

Earlier this year, I discovered the International Peace Park, a union of Waterton and Glacier National Parks in Canada and the US, respectively. In 1932, the park was formed to demonstrate how two countries can manage land collaboratively. I've used this park as the theme for the newest Healthy Knitter shawl pattern, International Peace Park. I was inspired to create a shawl that would be accessible to most knitters so you'll find this to be a relatively simple knit with a few features to keep your attention.

I hope you enjoy the pattern as much as I have thinking about how to integrate the United States, Glacier and Waterton National Parks, Canada and the International Peace Park into a shawl. If you read the pattern description on Ravelry, you'll see that the shawl is really a map of the area.

In this design, I wanted to utilize yarns from Montana and/or Canada. I've used some lovely hand-dyed yarn by Sharyn at the Yarn Scout. All her colorways are inspired by the Montana landscape; I've chosen Alpine Lakes and Lichen to remind me of my camping trip to Glacier National Park with my daughter this past summer.

International Peace Park Shawl now available on Ravelry

Alternatively, Sharyn has some very special and limited Montana Targhee yarn paired with some fingering weight Koigu (Canadian based). Her color combination is stunning. If you are looking for that extra special yarn and connection to Montana you'll want to contact the Yarn Scout to find out more about these yarn bundles (info@yarnscout.com).

Targhee-Koigu version of the International Peace Park shawl

The pattern is now available on Ravelry. Through Monday September 25, use the coupon code (IPP2017) at check-out to receive 20%. This discount is only being offered to all of you on the blog so the discount will not be automatically applied; don't forget to enter the coupon code.

May your day be filled with peace, knitting, walking and a few moments to slow things down. Perhaps consider lighting a candle this evening to reflect on the meaning of peace in your life.

Christina

Fall is here...

It's been far too long since I've reached out via the blog. Rest assured, I've been hard at work preparing several knitting-focused, peace-related activities just for you. I've even created a calendar of events to give you some insight into what's coming in the next 3.5 months.

Despite our current high temperatures and humidity, the leaves are turning, the corn and soybean fields are drying up, and there's been the most delightful crispness in the air. Our family meals are shifting from summer harvest (e.g. greens, tomatoes, berries) to root veggies and roasted meats. I'm always pleased when I can begin making more soups and a loaf of homemade bread here and there.

I've come to realize that while there are four seasons and so many aspects of life are quarterly, I find myself in a natural rhythm of 'threes;' fall, spring, summer. Odd, as my favorite season is winter but my life is structured by the academic year. Creating goals centered around quarters isn't working for me. Therefore this schedule of events is for fall, taking us through December. I'll create a new one for spring and then for summer. If you'd like to print the fall event schedule, you can hover over the image to access the pdf.

As a child, I loved fall and the thrill of returning to school. As an adult, I still love the weather, the fading of the environment from vibrancy to dormancy, and the increased opportunity to knit but it seems less care-free. Perhaps with the increased utilization of social media, the ability to hype up fall and "knitting season" has been enhanced. While I love the fact that there's so much excitement about knitting, I find myself a wee bit overwhelmed with all the possibilities. I've found about 5 sweaters I want to make now (and wear tomorrow) and this number seems to increase daily. This influx of new knitting patterns by so many talented designers is making knitting a bit stressful. What to do?

Well, I certainly don't want to overwhelm anyone with more knitting possibilities so I decided to be transparent with my plans for the fall. The patterns are appropriate for an advanced beginner wanting to learn a new technique or two or someone wanting to tackle their first color work pattern (e.g. Camino de Paz). The mystery knit-along in November accompanied with the walk-along will be a great 2nd color work project.

All of the yarns used in these patterns have a story; whether it be from a small alpaca farm, organic wool, plant-based, or hand-dyed to capture the landscapes of a specific region. These are special yarns but not so unique that you can't substitute or stash-dive as appropriate. Whether you join us for one pattern or all, I think there's something to please everyone's knitting desires. Most importantly, each pattern was designed with peace in mind.

Speaking of peace...

Did you know that tomorrow, 9/21 is the International Day of Peace as declared by the United Nations? It's also equinox. One of my main projects this summer was to create a commemorative pattern for this very special day. Tomorrow, a new shawl pattern will be released call "International Peace Park." I'll share more with you on the blog tomorrow about the very special place that inspired the design, a photo of the shawl, and provide you with a Ravelry code for 20% off your purchase.

Stay tuned...and the artwork for the pattern cover page is downright adorable. You'll definitely want to print the cover and hang on your work area wall.

Finally, I've been working diligently on Project Peace 2017 including designing the pattern, creating promotional materials, working with a couple of indie dyers to create special colorway(s), identifying appropriate charities to receive proceeds from Project Peace... the list goes on. Oh, and my mum is busy making project bags.

I need your help telling others about Project Peace. As many of you know, this is not just another knit-along...this really is about spreading peace around the world through our communities, knitters and beyond. I'll share more later about this year's theme (all I can say is that I think you'll love it). At the end of this month, I'll tell you about the Project Peace messenger program. For now, please share with everyone you know that PP2017 will begin 12/1. If you're subscribed to the blog, you'll stay current with PP2017 events (and as always receive member exclusive pattern discounts).

Stay tuned for an update tomorrow...a special celebration for the International Day of Peace.