I seem to have done nothing but moan about the weather recently so I’m trying a new thing today of relentless optimism. It won’t change the outcome or make the sun any more likely to appear but it might at least make me feel a little better.
With this in mind I have sought out a selection of feel-good patterns and other goodies for you to peruse this weekend. Although should the sun finally appear feel free to put this on hold, get out and enjoy the rays and come back to this later - you never know when it will be back.
I know I have mentioned the Emotional Support Chicken before but I make absolutely no apologies for highlighting it again. I know that yarn can’t solve all our problems but this delightfully chunky, woolly chicken must surely come close.
Radically content by Jamie Varon. I came across this book last year and it made quite an impression on me so much so that I am re-reading it at the minute. It’s a real breath of fresh air and gentle home truths in a sea of less than sincere self-help books. Her strap line is something to the effect of ‘how to be satisfied in a dissatisfied world’ and I can’t help but think about the Sheryl Crow song - leading me neatly into the next good thing on my list
Soak up the sun by Sheryl Crow. Yes it’s an old one, 2002 if you are counting, but it’s a good one and the line that stays with me is one that’s got me through some difficult times. Play it loud and imagine you are on a beach (and also that you are 30 again - or is that just me?)
I don't have digital, I don't have diddly squat, It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got. - Sheryl Crow
Grab a skein of fingering weight (sock yarn) in pretty colours from your stash and knit yourself an asymmetric scarf. There are tons of patterns out there, all of which are designed to make the most of a single skein and if you pick something that’s reasonably straightforward you can have yourself a nice colourful shawl in not too long at all. Good ones to try are Hitchhiker by Martina Behm (Ravelry link), Gday Boomerang by Susan B Ashcroft (Ravelry link) or of course my own Fuss Free Festival Shawl.
Contrast Blast socks by Stephen West. I defy you to look at a Stephen West pattern and not smile. His sense of colour and design is infectiously cheerful and his new sock pattern is no exception. Using two brightly coloured contrast yarns, these socks are bound to bring a smile to your chops.
Have I made you smile yet? I do hope so.
Why not leave me a comment below and let me know what makes you smile when you are feeling a bit down in the dumps.
Happy weekend
I love the Steven West socks. I don't have anything bright enough in my stash...hmm, I may have to buy some suitable yarn...
Honestly, this completely threw me, but I've been watching my replacement smart meter monitor. Not only does it show me what gas and electricity I'm using, it shows me when we're exporting solar! I am ridiculously excited by this. It's feckin' cold out but I'm still doing my bit for the environment.
Also I seem to have broken my four-month bout of knitter's block so my additional bit for the environment is huddling under a blanket I'm knitting while I'm knitting it...