Still new


New Year’s Day, 2008, Fowler’s Beach, Southampton. Weendy!

The sky was wild, the wind blew directly off the ocean, and I had to spend most of my time facing the dunes. It was either that, or inhale sand. I did get to have a few breathless minutes enjoying the ocean and the sky, and the bigness of the world, before it was time to turn toward home. Welcome, 2008!

By sunset things had calmed down a bit.


And in between, I began knitting this Japanese Vines scarf. The beautiful yarn can’t be captured on a snowy morning like this one (hooray for snow on a day off!). It’s the yarn that looks like dragonfly wingsString Theory Yarn’s Silk and Merino. I am enjoying this pattern, which I found on Ravelry. We all know how much I love stitches that tilt and tumble!

I had a wonderful first day of the year. There were a few end/beginning of the year things to do at the store, but they took just a few minutes in the morning, before I went to the ocean. I had a bit of a sore throat so I spent the rest of the day at home, quiet and comfortable (I didn’t even turn on the TV until after dark!). By evening I was feeling better, and I’d finished three repeats of the vines pattern.

Everywhere I turn, knitters and friends seem to be making their New Year’s resolutions. I’m more inclined to have intentions. I aim for things, knitting and otherwise. I steer in the direction of what I want. That way I get to meander a bit, and dawdle if I feel like it.

In that spirit, last year I didn’t join up or swap or meme or anything — I just wanted to wander. I learned new things and absorbed new ideas, tested myself, and had many new knitting experiences along the way. For one thing, who knew I would design stuff for other people to knit? And knit a tea cozy? Me? Ca-razy. [Oh! I was given the cutest little teapot for Christmas! I’ll get a picture soon.]

This year, though, two projects caught my eye and my fancy. I’m not crazy enough to try to do something like blog every day, but these two little things, I can handle.


Margene has declared January to be NaSpiMoMo (Ravelry link) — National Spin More Month. Since I do want to spin more, and I’d sort of thought that maybe I might spin more in January, this is right up my alley. There aren’t any rules or guidelines to worry about. It’s a Just Do It sort of thing. I intend to spin in January, on my Reeves wheel especially. Thank you Margene and Carole!


The second project is one I’ll also enjoy. Vicki Knitorious has revived the ABC-Along, which I participated in in 2006. There’s a Ravelry group, and a Flickr group too. I have a new camera that I want to get to know better, anyway.
And I’m excited about focusing on photographs again, and spending more time thinking about them.

Our little snow has stopped now (I’ve been fiddling with this post for an hour and a half), but I think I’ll pretend that it’s still falling. Tea (in a pot!) and knitting are on the agenda for today. I hope your day, whatever it holds, is just as cozy.


18 thoughts on “Still new

  1. Happy New Year Jane! It looks & sounds like the 1st was a nice day for you. Thanks for the heads up on the ABC-along – I just might have to give that a try this go round. 🙂

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  2. Gotta love Canon PowerShot cameras! I’ve had two, myself. Enjoy yours! And Happy New Year! (The beach looks gorgeous, if cold!) 🙂

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  3. Happy New Year, Jane! Thanks so much for dropping by on my birthday! :)The knitting is lovely, and I do love those patterns you seem to find like the tilted one you did before. Is this one easy? I’ve done a simple lace scarf before … but this looks difficult!I am thinking of joining the ABC-Along and have written to VIcki. I so enjoyed following yours in 2006.I have a Canon PowerShot SD 800 SI and it’s a great little camera. Easy to use and takes great photos. Have fun with it!

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  4. Happy New Year darlin’.May your year be full of soft fluffy yarn knit into beautiful shapes. Oh, and I have Mary’s old Canon PowerShot and I’m starting to buck for a New One.

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  5. I love that your knitting shot is the same colors as your beach shots! What was on your mind, I wonder? :DHappy New Year, to you, Dear one!(I intend to be better at keeping up with the blogs of those I love… I fell off a good bit last year!)

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  6. Happy New Year! I should do both those things–spin more and learn to say my ABCs. The scarf is lovely. And now, imagine me pestering you about telling me what colors you like so I can make you a bag. “B” is looming on the horizon, you know.

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  7. Sweet Jane,Lovely photos as always ^ .. ^ Your posts continue to inspire & awe me w/ their beauty & your creativity.Wishes for a terrific 2008 for you, dear friend. May you have stars to wish on & dreams that come true.XOXO

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  8. Thanks for the heads up on the groups. I’ve been looking for a new photo project, and the ABC Along might just be it. Your beach photos are just fabulous!

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  9. fabulous photos ! Must be a very fun new camera :-)And how fun that you joined those two groups – I did too! (now if I can only find a little time to get to my wheel. It’s great incentive, isn’t it!

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  10. Nice photos from your new camera and a good way to start the year! Thanks for the heads up about the ABC-Along. That sounds like fun. I told myself I would join in NaSpiMoMo but I had forgotten until you mentioned it.

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  11. jane!the beach i can SMELL THE SALT AIR!!!!!!!!!!btw, i HAVE been spinning a lot more latelyi got 11 pounds of fleece from my bonnie and edmundand another 11 pounds from them coming this springPLUS badger and arabella’s lambswooli am spinning like a run away trainvi

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  12. Oh, I love the beach in winter! Heading to Stone Harbor next weekend with 10 of my girlfriends from highschool ~ Yay! (although it was 70 degrees here today, go figure).and love the tilty scarf!Wishing you a happy new year!Jen

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