Pioneer Yarn Company

We are in Minden, Nevada getting ready to drive north to Idaho this morning.  I am looking forward to the journey.  It will take us three days of driving to reach our destination.

I managed to motivate myself out the front door of the coach just before 7am this morning to get in a 15-minute walk in just over 60 degrees.  Walking felt invigorating and the view of the nearby mountains in the early morning sun was delightful.  I also have the satisfaction of seeing some activity on my Fitbit.  Hurray!

Yesterday I visited a yarn shop called Pioneer Yarn Company that I discovered here last year when we stayed in Minden.  It is a fabulous store and it feels wonderful to walk in its front door and see the topnotch selection.  I admire the manager.  Kim Christensen is so helpful.  Again this year she assisted me in making a perfect selection from all of her tempting offerings.

It is awesome having a baby girl to knit for.  Well, I knit for her mom too.  There is something comforting in knitting.  It is the movement of hands and the creation of something useful.  The personal connection to a garment that has every fiber passing through one's fingers makes it satisfying to create and give.  I will start on this adorable sweater with less fear of failure than usual because I have already knitted one for her.

The joy of knitting for a baby is the rapid result.  My personality likes starting new things, finishing them quickly and moving on to the next endeavor.  It is a trait that spreads across every job, home and craft I have ever tackled.  But that's ok.  I've learned to accept it.

I am a starter.  I like to get things going in my compulsive, Type-A way and then pass off the well functioning business, a renovated home or a useful creation to someone else who will carry it forward.  I look back once in awhile to confirm that what I did was right and good.  Mostly, I am rewarded with a feeling of happiness that someone else has benefited from my efforts.  For that I am grateful.

Mr. Monkey

When we were in California, I ran across a kit for knitting a toy monkey.  Now I have never made a knitted toy before, so with the impending birth of my great niece I felt compelled to attempt this feat. The kit came with everything needed to complete the task which makes it an easier endeavor.  I was off and running...I mean knitting!

Day by day my monkey revealed itself and the process turned out to be easier than I had imagined.  I am pleased with the result.  He is good enough to present to my niece for her baby girl.  And I am the proud parent of a knitted toy I hope will grace the life of my great-niece-to-be in much the same way as my aunt graced my life time after time.

Encouraged by the results, I made a trip to Hobby Lobby for another supply of brown and cream colored yarn for a second attempt (for myself to keep unless I donate it to the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Tampa where they collect toys and blankets for their patients.)  I am madly working on a pink and white afghan now for the baby which I hope to finish before we leave Seattle.  Chances are I won't as it is a longer process, but I will certainly complete it before her due date in October.

As a hobby, knitting in the evening is a remarkably relaxing hobby.  Another trip to Hobby Lobby may be in order too before we leave for the softest yarn I have recently experienced.  I held and declined to purchase a blend of bamboo and silk yarn that I have been yearning for ever since holding it.  I'll let you know what I decide to make of it!