The super pink moon...

by Christina


The ripeness of each moon… a time to pause and reflect on all that is…

inspired by this full moon, I’ve an irresistible urge to cast on something pink…

While the Earth continues to awaken from her slumber, the leaves and blossoms on trees begin to burst forth with vivid green and magenta…

Tullamore Glen, IA

Tullamore Glen, IA

and I’m reminded of the pink of the desert…

Moab, UT

Moab, UT

You may have noticed that I missed my post for the Full Worm Moon in March. My husband and I went on an impromptu, extended-weekend camping trip to the desert. I hadn’t realized how much I needed to step-away from my daily routine and to experience the Earth’s seasonal shift from a different perspective. It’s not a place I’m normally drawn to, however, we listened to our hearts, packed up the car and spent five nights camping under the full worm moon and stars, and walked the desert landscape during the days.

I suppose I’ve always thought of the desert as dry and barren, a hot place with limited vegetation. And perhaps, that’s what I’ve expected from a desert, so each time I’ve gone, that’s what I’ve seen. Yet this time, I went to be part of that landscape, to witness the transition from winter to spring; open to the possibilities of seeing something new.

Since March 2020, life has felt a little like the desert. This past year has been a time of soul-searching, grieving, and leaning into what it means to part of this world during this time. And while, the year has also been filled with new ways of being, the push to return to normal, as is the case here in my town and state is unsettling. I’m not sure I’m quite ready.

So, how does the desert open back up after a long winter and usher in new life?

with grace and simplicity and slowness…

Fisher Towers overlooking Professor Valley, Moab, UT

Fisher Towers overlooking Professor Valley, Moab, UT

On the last day of our adventure, based on a recommendation from a local, we hiked to Corona Arch. Climbing up out of the Colorado River valley towards the cliffs that seemed to hang high above our heads, I looked up to see my husband grinning… “you are going to like this.” And there, was a “field” of cairns…

not just one…

1 cairn_350.jpg

or two,

2 cairns_350.jpg

or even a hundred…

cairn field_450.jpg

but hundreds of cairns.

And if one cairn marks the way to guide us…

I can only surmise that hundreds of cairns must certainly mean that one is no longer lost…

a sacred place on the path to the Corona Arch.

Corona Arch, Moab, UT

Corona Arch, Moab, UT

Although we’ve been back home for six weeks, the impact of our excursion to the desert will remain with me for quite some time. Stepping away from our current daily tasks to focus on being connected with self, each other, and the Earth… I needed that chance.

What’s on my needles… well, there are always multiple works in progress (WIPs), however, these days my needles have been relatively quiet. Just last week, the new Shetland Wool Week hat pattern was released so I was inspired to cast on the “Da Crofter’s Kep.” You can find the free pattern here. I had all the Jamieson and Smith’s yarn for the colors called for in the pattern… I love starting off a colorwork hat pattern using the intended colors as it teaches me a bit about color blending.

Da Crofter’s Kep in Jamieson and Smiths

Da Crofter’s Kep in Jamieson and Smiths

What’ I’ve been reading… besides work, this is probably the reason (oh, and the gardens) that I’ve not been knitting much of late. This book will most likely go down as my book of the year… The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson. It’s one of those books that makes it hard to move on to the next book. It’s an important story that’s told in this book… one that many of us know nothing about, even those of us currently living on the lands where this story takes place. If you chose to read this book, please send me an email as I’d love to know your thoughts.

What’s next… as I approach the end of the academic year, my mind is busy spinning with possibilities. Planning for Project Peace is underway with a theme most likely picked and now, I’m on the look-out for daily topics that connect with the theme. However, as I reflect on the lessons from the past year, my desert immersion and life in Tullamore Glen, I’m reminding myself to proceed slowly with simplicity and hopefully, a little grace.

unfurl_350.jpg

How are you feeling this Full Pink Moon?


A Norwegian Forest...

by Christina


Introducing a new pattern…

As many of you know, I spent a lot of time last year reflecting on “place,” in particular, peace in place. We even spent 21 days in December (Project Peace 2020) exploring what it means to find peace in “place.” In March 2020, when we retreated into our physical places, this idea of finding peace where I live weighed heavy on my mind.

When posed with the question "where is my place?" we often focus on the land we call home. What if the place that brings you comfort is not where you reside, dwell, or hang your hat, but rather a distant land, in the midst of a grand forest, a wide-open prairie, or at the water's edge?

The simple act of knitting can transport us to far-away places through the stories told in our stitches. A Norwegian forest inspired this new pattern.

This is my place... deep in the forest surrounded by the great beings we call trees.

The initial inspiration for this design came to me when I travelled to Oslo, Norway in September 2019 to attend a conference organized by the Nobel Peace Center. Although I loved the city of Oslo, I was yearning to walk in the forest. Some fellow conference attendees suggested I take the train to the top of the mountain overlooking Oslo and there, I would find a forest. I asked for further directions… where do I go once I get off the train? How do I find the forest? The trails? Again, they gently affirmed their original instructions… just go the last stop and you’ll know what to do.

trail signs_350.jpg

And yes, leaving the platform at the last stop, you step into a forest, the most magical forest.

I meandered through the trees…

looking up at the brilliant blue sky…

gazing down at the mossy floor

dotted with the most brilliant red berries.

A bit lost yet comfortably familiar…

The shawl idea came to mind as the train transported me back down the side of the mountain to Oslo…

stripes of brown and beige for the trees…

green lace for the pine needles, leaves, and moss…

and bright red bobbles for the brilliant berries.

The design engrained in my mind wasn’t transferred from thought to needles until inspired by a call for designs from Kate Davies in March 2020. I’ve long admired the work of Kate Davies and to submit an idea for her perusal felt daring and bold. By August, I’d finished the shawl, submitted my photos, and found out that the idea had been selected to be featured along with the works created by other designers for the MY PLACE series. Each Wednesday for the past couple of months, Kate Davies has highlighted a pattern based on an individual’s interpretation of MY PLACE.

You can read my essay for MY PLACE on Kate Davie’s blog. A big thank you to KDD&Co Team for the yarn support and encouragement, Becky Monahan for her amazing tech editing and graphic design work, and Lisa Nunamaker for her beautiful illustration. Lastly, a huge hug to Lola who graciously (sometimes and other times not so much) allows me to take photos of her wearing each design that makes it this far!

The oak savannah of Iowa prairie…

The oak savannah of Iowa prairie…

You can download a copy of Norwegian Forest from Ravelry. Through 3/21, receive 20% off using the code NFbobble20

The pattern is also available on The Healthy Knitter website; the pattern price will be automatically reduced through 3/21.

As we approach the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere, the days are longer, and the Earth begins to show signs of new life. Soon, the mirky brown of March will be covered with new growth andan abundance of green…. on this day of the feast of St. Patrick, might I suggest a warm cup of herbal tea to connect to the Earth and all her splendor.

peace… and I’ll see everyone for the next full moon (3/28).

Christina