Happy New Year

It’s the start of a new year, a time when many resolve to make changes and improvements in their lives. I gave up making bold, unrealistic New Year’s resolutions a long time ago, opting instead to focus on steady, day to day behaviors, and committing to being more intentional in each moment that arises. That approach has flowed naturally into my knitting.

I’ve never been the grand gestures type, especially when it comes to my own abilities, preferring to stay in my own (slow) lane. Baby steps and incremental improvements have always kept me grounded. The slow-and-steady approach has always worked best for me. For some, the stretch of a new challenge is exciting and inspirational, even heady. It has always been overwhelming and counterproductive for me.

I never imagined what an affect our little community would have on my practice. Being in the presence of so many talented and creative people has been a real gift. Nothing makes me happier than sitting in The Loop with our customers and friends (and there are many who are both), working on our projects, chatting about big stuff and little stuff, learning from each other about much more than how to do a yarn over or cabling or a slip slip knit. I’m not exaggerating when I say that it is as refreshing and replenishing as therapy. The support and encouragement I experience at The Artful Yarn has given me a bit more courage to spread my knitting wings. 

Favorite yarn in the shop: Emma’s Practically Perfect Sock yarn for January. The softest, sweetest color ever.

Favorite non-yarn item in the shop: Emma Ball’s delightful sheep in sweaters stitch markers. 

What I’m looking forward to: Visiting our son Andrew in the Lake Worth Florida Community Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music”. He is playing Captain Von Trapp and singing the much-loved song “Edelweiss”, which my mother used to sing to him and his sister when they were little. 

-Linda Schaefer