How's it going?

How are you doing? Are you well? Are you healthy?  If I had to describe my mood, I think I would describe it as unsettled. I’m not unhappy, I’m not overly happy, but I am content and healthy. No one I know is ill, and for the most part everyone I know is able to make ends meet during this hard time. The hardest part of my life right now is juggling everything- cooking for and caring for my family, educating the kids, while also working a very long day/night. It's not easy, but I feel fortunate to be too busy to worry or stress much about things I can't control. And I feel very grateful that people continue to purchase at the store right now and share us with others.

And as every knitter can relate, knitting really has been my saving grace through this past month. I feel more settled when I’m knitting, counting stitches gives me something to fill my mind, and seeing color changes in my project brings me joy. And it’s MINE. In a situation when I’m constantly doing for others, my knitting is just for me. I’m not knitting gifts or shops samples, I’m knitting just what brings me joy.

This week it’s this Kline Shawl in Madelinetosh Work Sock. The shawl is designed for fingering weight yarn, but this is the second time I’ve used a heavier weight yarn for one of Jennifer's designs and just go up two needle sizes. I did a Phi Shawl in this yarn last year and wore it all fall. So I’m using a US 8 needle. And because Work Sock comes in a 200g skein, I think I’m only going to need one skein of each color (Wash House and Farmhouse) and if I think I'm going to run out I'll leave out a repeat.

I do love a squishy, thick shawl. I'm looking forward to knitting on this this weekend. If you want to do something similar, I gave color suggestions here. Keep in mind that many of the colors sold out fast, but you can definitely find a two-color combo that is gorgeous. Or use the fingering weight yarn that the pattern actually calls for and have over 200 color options. Or choose one color to have a bit of glitter! Dang, that would be fab.

Want to win some yarn? Go to Insta to see the contest for this skein of Malabrigo Sock!

See you on Monday, friends!

*Just a reminder that I'm committed to blogging nearly every day during this time (instead of the typical 2-3 times a week) to connect with others. Please do comment and share with me here if you like! You'll see the typical yarn updates and shop tidbits, but likely also a bit more family and personal stuff.

Comments

[Natalie]

I would love to see updates of how your shawl is coming along!!

[Jessica]

My 40 year old friend has been sick for five weeks with COVID-19. Her test from last weekend was negative, so she has cleared the virus, but she still has shortness of breath, pain, fatigue, decreased mental acuity, low appetite and coughing. I've known her for 17 years. I used to be an infectious disease epidemiologist at my state health department, so I am worried about my friends who are still there and are now going out in the "field" where the cases are. My good friend who is an RN, MPH, PhD epidemiologist is going to nursing homes with cases. So I am worried a lot about my friends.

I'm worried about myself and my son. We have asthma, and I have Hashimoto's disease. I also have another issue that I need to see a specialist for - could be a sign of cancer, and my aunt who had this same symptom did indeed turn out to have metastatic cancer. But the specialist cannot see me until the middle of June because of the pandemic. I am hoping my problem is just a nuisance, but there is no way for me to know.

In the meantime, I am trying to eat as healthfully as possible and go for a 2-3 mile walk every day.

I have three school age kids, and between their at-home learning, my own sole proprietorship and my husband working from home, everyone is getting on my nerves.

I asked my friend if she would like some hand-knit socks. Her response was "HECK YEAH!" so I am going to shop from you today because she picked out some colors from your site :)

[Donna]

LOVE that MT yarn. Could you tell me which colorway it is, please? I’d love to knit a cardi using it.