Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Meandering Musica Mittens


Yesterday I got the opportunity to take some 'mental health' time. Getting out on my own is something I rarely get a chance to do. But it does us all a lot of good when I do. I was gone all day just doing what I want... it mostly ended up being a lot of driving but that is how it goes out here. I cranked the tunes loud enough so there was nothing in my head but lyrics, and cruised to several of my favorite spots. I had seafood chowdah for lunch at Pineland Farms, then I high tailed it out to Fort Popham and took a very brisk walk around the fort and along the beach. It was a balmy 32 degrees but the wind was biting. It was so peaceful and quiet. This is one of our favorite summer spots and it's just so different in the winter yet equally as awesome.

While out there, I took some photos of the mittens that I just finished up:


Musica Mittens by Lilia Mankki
US 4 needles
Elsa Wool Company Woolen-Spun Sport Weight Cormo
Ravelry Link

The palm of the mitten is shown on the left

After my walk, I went to Halcyon Yarn in Bath. My favorite spot at Halcyon is the aisle where they keep the Peace Fleece, Bartlett and Harrisville. These are all local yarns so that alone is so cool. But the aisle is actually two huge old wooden shelves that tower high above me. It's a spiritual experience for a knitter to stand in that aisle and just bask in the wooly goodness. I am sure that many other knitters who have been in that aisle have felt the same. I picked out enough Peace Fleece (Lena's Meadow) for my next project and headed out.


I continued to meander around a while... I went to Grace Robinson in Freeport and bought some discontinued Rowanspun 4ply for a pair of mittens. I also picked up the latest Piecework which has the neatest birch mitten pattern in it and also a new stitch pattern from Barbara Walker which I'm now trying to figure out how to build in to a project. Socks? A crew neck pullover for the babe? Not sure!

I headed down to Portland after that. It's been a couple months since I've been in 'the city' and it was rush hour. After living out here in this small town where everything I need to do is within town limits, it was quite the shock to the system to be in the fast pace of traffic again. I drove past Knit Wit Yarn Shop again and there was no where to park like usual so I skipped it, again. I parked up on the eastern promenade and went for a long twilight walk. After that I headed home -- a good 50 miles along with rush hour traffic makes for a long drive. After about 15 though I was out in the woods again and appreciating our quiet, small town and quiet, small life. I actually made it home for dinner with the guys After that my fingers were itching so much to dive in to all that new wool.

A great day all in all. One that I really needed.

13 comments:

Sarah said...

What an amazing day! I love hearing about your life in Maine and your knitting escapades. Those mittens are beautiful.

essjay said...

Sounds like such a lovely day - I'm so glad you were able to get out and have some time just for you! <3 Those mittens are lovely!

IowaKnitter said...

Those mittens are awesome. And they look so very warm!

Rita said...

Thanks for the memories...I can say I have experienced everyone of those locations expect the LYS in Bath. I am glad you had a great escape!!

The gray hat you gave me is working out beautifully for our fridged tempetures. Maine is actually warmer than DM...tomorrow the high is to be -3!

gumbygoogoo said...

What a decadent day! Beautiful mittens too.

L said...

Sounds like a really nice day. And I just love your new mittens.

Thea said...

Sounds like a great day - your part of Maine is my fave - and the pics are lovely - and those mittens are gorgeous. Love the little cable loops.

TD wool design said...

beautiful mittens. lovely work!
sounds like a great day!

mary jane said...

what a perfect day, except the lack of parking for Knit Wit!

momtourage.net said...

I love Peace Fleece too!
Great mittens btw - may have to queue them...

Cornfed Princess said...

I wished you live closer so you could be my knitting mentor!

Pat said...

Sounds like a much deserved and appreciated day (I'm a bit envious!)
That is one of the prettiest pair of mittens I've seen. I think I'm going to rip out a scarf started with some Morehouse Merino sport and use it for these instead~

cmm said...

Great mittens! You are so lucky to be so "close" to those great yarns. I absolutely LOVE bartlett!