Opal has released it's 9th Rainforest Collection, eight colors that are vivid and gorgeous and do the work for you! If you need a knitting mojo restarter, love self-patterning yarn, or want a great movie-night-knit, this is for you. I started this sock the day after the yarn arrived, and finished half a leg while watching Hotel Transylvania with Joe and James the following day. I adore self-patterning yarns for making my life simple. Knit a plain ol' vanilla sock and allow the yarn to do the rest of the work. You never have to look down.
Above is color 7471, and I'm betting I'll cast on color 7470 as soon as the ends are woven in.
I'm really enjoying (bordering on needy obsession) knitting self-patterning and self-striping yarn lately. By the time the boys go to sleep at night and I get everything around for the next morning, my mind just wants to relax. Enjoying a conversation with Joe or watching a TV show together while knitting something super simple has been very good for me. I'm even gift knitting for the first time in years. I haven't had time to do that for a long while, and I've given myself permission to knit simple, colorful items for people rather than try to impress them (or myself) with my knitting prowess. I love that no matter where I am in life, knitting changes with me. That it's there to be my meditation when I need that, or my challenge when I want that. I think that's why knitting isn't just a fad- that it's a craft that sticks with us our whole lives, providing socks in the winter and baby sweaters for our wee ones.... whatever we need, whenever we need it.
I too feel that knitting is an old friend who's always there for me & has been for 50 years now! And I always try to find a yarn shop on vacation. Then, when I knit that yarn, I am reminded of how much I enjoyed that place.
Posted by: Donna | October 15, 2013 at 10:14 AM
I love knitting things that are useful - and I have time each morning while I take a shuttle bus to work -- knitting hats with the wonderful self-striping and self-patterning yarns is just the perfect way to spend a half hour of my morning commute. And it's just the thing for when football is on and you're expected to at least watch the replays!
Posted by: Leslie Fehr | October 15, 2013 at 12:49 PM
Very well said Allison!
Knitting has been more than A hobby for me.
It has helped me in times of stress and sadness and brought me joy knitting for my family!
And me of course !!!!!!
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 16, 2013 at 10:45 AM
Allison--Years ago I took a sock class and knit one sock. I'm now tired of knitting shawls and your blog inspires me to try socks again. I appreciate all the resources you have posted on your website. What pattern do you recommend for a beginner using your gorgeous yarn? Thanks!
Posted by: Amy | October 16, 2013 at 11:16 AM
Started knitting when I was 16. Today I'm a retired senior citizen and knitting is still my passion. From the beginning when there was one small local yarn shop where I learned, through the lean years when there were no yarn shops or yarn to the present with several yarn shops, online shops, gorgeous yarns and knitting retreats, I remain a devoted knitter. It is such an important part of my life, I can't imagine not knitting. Love your online shop and your blog. Value the effort you make to bring your knitters such quality and beautiful yarns and accessories.
Posted by: Susan Hill | October 16, 2013 at 12:02 PM