Na Craga

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The shoulder/back/neck continue to heal, albeit more slowly than I’d like. And I’m still a bit in shock over the quickness of the move, and all that I had to pack/store/divest of.

It seems that for awhile there all I did was pack up and give away boxes and boxes of my textile treasures.

So imagine my delight when I received a package here at the lake house from a most generous Raveler last week, on Wednesday.

It contained a CD of his music, which suits my mood perfectly at the moment. And…enough yarn to knit an Alice Starmore aran sweater. The yarn is an incredible color, perfect for jeans, and perfectly dark enough to be a working sweater. I’ll post several pictures below, taken in different lights to try to capture the tones in it. It’s Jamieson’s Shetland Heather. Which is simply not available to us here in the US anymore through any distributors, although I’m under the impression that it’s still being made. It knits up into a wonderfully warm fabric – quite frankly too warm for the centrally heated homes we live in in North America (probably why it’s not sold here anymore). But it’s going to be lovely and perfect for living on a boat in northern waters.

My intention was to save it to knit next fall so that I’d have it for the Atlantic Crossing back to the US next April, and then possibly to wear while sailing up the Atlantic coast.

Intentions be damned. I couldn’t Not cast on.

So I did. ;)

And, it’s going so well that I intend to wear it in a few weeks on the boat!

I’ve wanted to make Na Craga from Starmore’s book Aran Knitting (being rereleased in Sept) since I obtained the book.

I cast on Thursday.

It’s been cold here again, the 78 degree temps disappeared. But it’s been perfectly wonderful weather to sit and knit this fabulous design with this fabulous yarn. And listen to Michael’s cognac smooth voice singing somewhat melancholy songs to beautiful accompaniment.

Thank you MJ. Thank you from the botton of my heart.

I also got on the phone and called Karabella in NYC, since I can’t find a store anywhere that carries the Aurora 8 anymore. I ordered the 3 sk I’m short to finish the nautical pullover that I was working on when we got the offer for the house. It should arrive this week before I head out again on Thursday for my next road trip. And I’ll finish that pullover and Na Craga to wear before the end of May!

One last note: I apologize for the sporadic nature of the posts here, and my absence from blogland. I should have internet connectivity again in May. Meanwhile, it’s still public library and internet cafes 20 miles away for me to have internet access.