Early May Musings

The weekend here in Greater Boston was gloriously warm and sunny, the kind of weather that makes you want to be outdoors even if you’re just sitting on the steps. Because you can. You don’t need to be doing anything (although you might). You don’t need a jacket or hat. You don’t even need sleeves! Glorious.

Patrick and I drove to the ocean, walked the beach, admired shells and surf-smoothed stones, watched and listened to the unending, ever-changing waves, and breathed in the warm, salty air.

Back home, I’m slightly giddy at the new life sprouting in the garden. Thanks to everyone who sent tips for this new venture. I’m now learning about companion planting and realize that I need to plan the remaining squares a bit more intentionally.

A couple of weeks ago, I hit a bump in the Chevron Baby Blanket. You know the phrase, “you can’t see the forest for the trees”? This was the knitting version of that.

I’d been chugging along quite nicely, pattern memorized (beware Cocky Knitter) and enjoying the self-patterning Hayfield Baby Blossom Yarn. I’d pull it out of the project bag, knit for a while, and stuff it back in.

Then I spread it out to admire — ha! Turns out I didn’t really have the pattern memorized and had missed an important “move” about 10 rows back. Nonetheless I’d continued on, blissfully unaware.

I toyed with the idea of fixing it without ripping back. And by “toyed with the idea” I mean thought about it a lot, counted and recounted dozens of stitches, and placed a few stitch markers — all before deciding to rip it back. It’s looking much better now.