Do you find yourself prioritising comfort above all else these days? I know that I do.
Something shifted in the last couple of years. Whether it was the pandemic, turning 50, hitting the menopause - or maybe a combination of all 3. If something wasn’t comfortable, whether we were talking about pyjamas or social events I just wasn’t interested.
I stopped wearing shoes with heels a few years ago, giving away my beloved Hot Chocolate heels as I came to the realisation that they just hurt my feet at the end of the day. I now just keep a pair of Fly London heels in grey for emergencies and funerals. For everything else you’d better believe that I’m Team Flat Shoes (with good arch support) all the way.
It’s the same with my knitting projects. When I’m not knitting my own designs I find myself increasingly seeking out projects that I am comfortable and familiar with. I’ve lost count of the number of basic toe-up socks that I’ve knitted, for example. Or mitered square blankets in all their forms.
I’m in a phase of life where I don’t want surprises - they are often overrated in any case.
This year is the fifth year that I’m running my Comfort Blanket KAL for example. I did wonder whether perhaps it has run it’s course and debated whether to do it or not. But I was surprised at how many people asked for it - it seems they are craving the comfort as much as I am.
If you are new to this project, it’s an e-book that I sell called ‘How to knit a mitered square blanket’. Every year I open up a Facebook group for it and we have a lovely mix of new-to-the-blanket knitters as well as those who started it in previous years.
Scrappy sock yarn blankets like this are by their very nature long term projects, and so it can be really helpful - dare I even say comforting - to pull them back out of your knitting basket and give them some dedicated TLC for a few weeks. It’s like sitting down for a coffee with an old friend.
What’s making me comfortable this week:
Just the best Hot Chocolate recipe.
I bought some new PJs with penguins on.
A freshly finished pair of toe-up socks in yarn from The Yarny Octopus - see below and yes - they really are that bright.
Sorting through my yarn storage to make neat piles of sock yarn leftovers - ready for the Comfort Blanket KAL. Something about hand winding tiny balls of yarn is very therapeutic.
Contemplating some summer garden plans - you’ll note of course that this is very much in the planning rather than the action stage though :)
Wishing you a very warm, woolly and above all, comfortable, weekend
Louise
Comfort Life!
These socks radiate joy even through the screen! 😍