Inspiration
Auroras and Sweaters
Dear all,
The auroras this weekend sent me back to thoughts of Iceland, that dreamydream place where the sky lights up all crazylike.
I’m pretty sure the auroras in Nashville happened not because of a solar storm but because I’ve been wearing my Crowberry Sweater a lot these days. The Icelandic provenance built into that pullover has a mighty power over me, and the universe.
It’s been deliciously cool in Nashville this spring, the epitome of what we all call sweater weather. It’s funny: this sweater was one I thought I’d save for the wintriest days. But the Plotulopi yarn is so so lightweight that it doesn’t blanket me in a heavy fabric; it feels like a down jacket, weightless yet cozy. Hélène Magnússon has given us such a beautiful thing.
And every time I wear it, it makes me think.
The thought for the day is pretty simple: our handmade sweaters are more than simply garments. They’re loaded up with all sorts of things: time spent thinking, time spent not thinking, a connection to the people who designed the sweater, to the people who made the yarn, to the shepherds who tended the flocks. I think about listening to Toni Morrison reading Beloved while I made this sweater, and that adds another powerful layer to my sweater.
All of it swirls in my mind, shimmering and shifting. Don’t you love knitting so much? Aren’t we lucky to have this thing we love to do?
Love,
Ann
PS Aurora from 30,000 feet, sent by son David as he was flying from Nashville to New York.
Amazing Aurora photo, well done David!
I love this love letter to making so much.
Beautiful!
Cloudy every night here, I was very sad at the lack of visible auroras.
And yes, knitting, or any craft, has so many layers imbedded in it. Clothing and memory box all in one.
Knitting indeed is wonderful, even though Auroras weren’t visible here in the southern mid-Atlantic. I do have vivid memories of many of my knits and immediately think of yarn and needles when anticipating any minor crisis or lengthy trip. Among many other scenarios. So glad you can wear your Crowberry so late in the woolly season. Why waste a single day for this opportunity.
I saw the Aurora for the first time–and in Tacoma WA of all places–land of the “oh there’s phenomena, oh, it’s cloudy.” So amazing. David’s photo is wonderful. As is your article. Connections and flow.
I agree with you, Jane!
Thank you, MDK
This is one of my favorite writings and is inspirational.
What A beautiful picture from your talented lad!
I am hoping you can help me,
I took the class with Patty Lyons on Friday. Now I want to watch it again but do not know how to log in or get it.
Please Advise
Ginger
MDK sent out an email late Friday afternoon, May 10, with the link to the recording. Hope you find it in your email.
I got an email with a link to the recording – it worked!
The lights were not available to us in NJ. Every time I awoke in the night I glanced out the windows but no luck. However, on a vacation stay on Nantucket years ago we had a view of them one evening on the way to dinner. Would love to see them again.
I saw your sweater during the Patty Lyons class – so beautiful – I was swooning from afar! Just like I did for the auroras I saw in Finland last winter.
Beautiful love letter to making!
Such an extra special aurora! And sweaters are extra special too … I’m finishing the cuff of my Crowberry right now and it’s just the most fun. (It turned out so great.)
I did not receive the Friday night link to Patty Lyons’ class. Must have been interference by the Aurora, maybe? Would you mind resending it to my email, please. Thank you.
We’ll get the link to you asap!
What a beautiful piece, Ann. Your thoughts mirror mine and yes, I am so thankful to have found knitting in itself, and this community of wonderful knitters.
Well said Ann, well said.
A wonderful article with a beautiful picture of the Auroras! I so enjoyed making this sweater and have worn it several times with many complements! I too agree we are very lucky to be in this circle of knitters and loving to knit!
I was lucky enough to spend the weekend at a friend’s cottage and really can’t think of a better way to watch the Aurora than in the hot tub with a couple of my oldest friends. Hate to admit it but we’ve been friends for more than 45 years! The colours weren’t quite so vivid as the pictures taken of the lights on the horizon but we were able to lie back and watch right over our heads.