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Dear Jan,

You and I have gotten so much out of our knitting and blogging together.  We’ve raised each other’s bars on knitting quality, we’ve connected with each other and with so many other knitters and spinners both virtually and in person, and we’ve been privileged to name many of these connections as dear friends.  Anyone reading this blog gets this - how a shared passion knits friends together in so many ways.

Of course, you don’t need to share knitting to connect deeply with someone.  It is a pleasure, though, when someone special in your life recognizes what knitting can mean, and then connects to you through it.  Below is a photo* of a very special gift I recently received from my very dear friend, Jeanne.  This Barbara Lavallee print, Knit Three Together, captures the joy in our relationship and something of each of us - Jeanne, the Native Alaskan and me, the Knitter.  We’ve worked together and we’ve sorted out our share of life’s knots over a glass of wine,  and we have laughed, and yes, cried some, together, too.  When I think that she saw this and thought of me, well, that just sinks right into my core, you know?

I kind of wish I had a couple of knitting buddies with me these days to help me push through some of my current projects.  Someone to unwind the yarn might just help me get the shawl I’m test knitting for Erica done.  The rows are now about 550 stitches long.  When we finish, the rows will be over 650 stitches long.  It helps that the fabric is gorgeous - Juniper Moon merino:silk blend in a subtle variegation of woodsy colors.

Progress on the shawl has meant no progress on the sweater for your retirement ceremony.  It is quite possible I’ll be wearing a new shawl instead. Still, the gauge is so much bigger, I am still caught up in Knitter’s Hope, also known as Knitter’s Delusion, that I might get it done in time.  I’d show a photo but it hasn’t changed by a single stitch since the last one.

I hope you are knitting together a lovely weekend.  Ours is rainy, but that is just that much more time for getting that shawl off the needles.

Love,

Ellen

*I added blurring and text over the photo - the actual print is crisp and gorgeous.  Do go to the link provided and ooh and ahh over the many other lovely paintings she has done.