Wednesday, June 20, 2012

desert snow

hello from the colorado desert! we're back home this afternoon, but this post began in joshua tree national park. we have been there the last three days, but more on that later (it was fun!). i knit this poncho on the way (and while there). it's in need of a soak and block, to help the bottom lay flat. desert temperatures were over 100 degrees, but at home on the beach it's foggy and cool





 it can also be worn as a cape


 it's a warm hug in wool and cashmere



 it knit up in no time, using super chunky wool (not blocking yet, just pinned out for the photo)


still reading safari by tony parks, must make it last, i love the book, it takes me right back to africa. i'm also reading coastal knits, i bought it last week at our local yarn store and met alana dakos, who made a guest appearance there! she is as lovely as she is talented



and this, a birthday gift from a dear friend. she knows i love project bags for knitting. she made this and added my blog name (even the same font), hedgehogs, and look at the charm attached to the drawstring! this is at the top of favorite favorites!

poncho details: 
pattern:  rosa's caponcho by emma fassio
yarn:  debbie bliss cashmerino superchunky
ravelry notes:  here
and joining along with ginny:  here

xxx lori
p.s. thank you so much for your interest in and the very lovely words on my africa posts, chuck and i both appreciate them so much. africa can be what you read on the news, but it's also so much more. 
p.p.s. now i need to do some laundry and catch up on blog reading   :)

42 comments:

  1. Welcome Home friend!! Your beautiful posts from Africa were wonderful and I am so thankful to you for sharing every step and every corner.xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Popping in from Ginny's! Beautiful poncho!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hee hee....I knows where you bought that book!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The poncho is just beautiful. I just picked up my copy of the Noro 2012 premier magazine and will start on the hat you made the other day--you inspire me with your impecable taste. I bet you're missing Africa already, but oh, what memories you have and have shared. Love, Susan

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just entered a giveaway for that book. I have my fingers crossed I win. Your shawl is so nice! What a fun project bag. You have a very nice friend.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gosh you are a jetsetter! I have loved your Africa photos so much, and now I love this poncho. Glad to have you back now x

    ReplyDelete
  7. That looks like a fun knit - now if only I had chunky in my stash! Could you really wear that in California in summer?? Colorado is on our list too, but probably not this year. (I wanted to say about being in Cape town and just keeping on going, camping - we did that for our 6 week honeymoon. You end up with MANY stories to tell, some of them funnier in hindsight.) Your pictures in the Namibia posts are very inspiring, I will look at it in a whole different way the next time. Can you believe we just drove and wanted to get to the farm? But we were young, then... ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i can understand that emma, i think it's because it's familiar. i like when we have tourists here, seeing home through faraway eyes reminds how special a place is.
      and yes! it can be COLD here on the coast, when the fog is thick and the wind blows(in summer too), but then i'm always cold :)

      Delete
  8. Pretty poncho - one of those would be perfect here right now.
    Love all the scenic shots too.
    Looks like a fun book with lots more inspiration.
    Enjoy

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is so beautiful poncho! You make them just in no time! Thank you for an idea - this could be perfect relaxing 'work' for my busy summer season.
    our present is wonderful and there they are your hedgehogs! x Teje

    ReplyDelete
  10. Another trip! Lucky you! Your shawls are always so beautiful! And that bag is wonderful. Happy day! Happy summer! Best wishes, Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  11. How wonderful to visit the Colorado Desert Lori, you do go to the most amazing places.
    I love your poncho, it looks so cozy and warm.
    What a special friend that made you this wonderful project bag, the little charm of needles and yarn is just precious!
    I hope you had an amazing birthday.
    xo
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a lovely thoughtful friend, and beautiful shawl too.
    I've spent the last half an hour in Africa soaking in the incredible adventure you were on from dunes and hot air balloons to safari's and beautiful smiley faces. Thankyou so much for sharing..I'm dreaming of Africa...one day I'll get there :)x

    ReplyDelete
  13. what a cute project bag! one can never have too many :-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lovely poncho Lori, such an interesting shape!
    Your project bag is beautiful, how wonderful to receive such a personal handmade gift.

    ReplyDelete
  15. so glad you are home safe Lori! what a wonderful adventure for you & chuck. so very cool:)
    And as always I love the poncho. so cute!
    My Annie is on her first adventure now studying abroad in London. So exciting.
    I have had a rather difficult month (losing my mom, and taking over my Dad's care). Hard trying to keep up in the blogs but they bring me such joy to read.
    Love to you~♥janis

    ReplyDelete
  16. A warm woolly hug indeed ... and you look so snug in your poncho Lori. And the bag ... how lovely to get such a pretty personalised gift :D

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello lovely Lori! I love the open-nature of your blog; do you see what I mean? Far-flung (for me) open spaces, broad interests, and clearly an open mind. Three cheers for you.

    Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gorgeous poncho and pretty project bag......very stylish!

    ReplyDelete
  19. You have been so busy lately, I get tired just from thinking of all your travels! :) Of course I love your poncho and really wish I had a reason to knit one for here, but it is so very warm here now it's hard to think of winter items. And your book, Coastal knits, I really must get a peek inside, it sounds perfect. Much love to you.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great poncho and I love the contrasting color-nice creative touch! i bet you have tons of laundry-it multiplies while on vacation you know :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. You have been quite the traveler. Lovely poncho. And that bag is very cute. (MY husband doesn't understand the bag "thing")

    ReplyDelete
  22. hi Lori - i love that poncho. i have to ask - what do you do with all these lovely things you make? are you making them for someone special, or just for fun? our winter is so short but i do love all those knitted things you make and of course the model is tres elegant!! mittens being put to good use again :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi val, it is cold enough here to wear knits yearround, being right on the coast. and chuck and i both brought wool items to africa, you know how that temp drops when the sun does! i knit for the pleasure it brings, for myself and others. so glad to hear your mitts are holding up, i forgot about those!

      Delete
    2. and you do make knitting look like lots of fun, and very satisfying; everything you make is so beautiful. yes that desert cold, and the sea mist in namibia can make it very cold after sunset. lovely contrst though.

      Delete
  23. Hi, what a beautiful shawl Lori, I like the colors you´ve chose . Have a wonderful time back to your home.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love
    Love
    Love this Lori.Perfect in everyway- I bet it is like a warm hug- looks beautiful on you.

    ReplyDelete
  25. The poncho is super pretty! The colors go so well together! Happy belated birthday, Lori.

    ReplyDelete
  26. There is always so much beauty and inspiration to be found whenever I click over to your blog. Yet another bit today. Love the poncho and bag. :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love your shawl/cape! The pattern is so simple and classic and pretty.
    What a lovely, talented friend you have too :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Lori - the pictures of you posed with your handicrafts against the rugged beauty of those hills looks like they came straight out of a catalogue. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  29. cashmerino is one of my favorite yarns---so plushy and cozy; I've never knit with the chunky version, though. Your shawl/poncho turned out just lovely! And the scenery! Gorgeous.
    And what a great project bag....a great friend!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Lori, Lovely poncho and bag and you were so close, Colorado is not far from where I live. Maybe some day you will make it here to Taos. Very hot right now, ugh! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  31. mmm! yummy yummy! love wooly cashmere hugs. pretty background there in the colorado desert! we were in your town yesterday visiting my friends who live by you - walked through the marsh and to the beach and thought of you. maybe we'll make it back up there for another beach stroll and a visit to crush cakes. would love to see you of course. staying at my mom's until next wednesday.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am glad to see your new shawl but I mostly came here to see YOU because I miss you and coming here is the next best thing to sitting on rocks and eating hot dogs :-)
    (etc etc etc)

    Is the Colorado desert in Colorado?

    I have been thinking about your posts on africa and I keep seeing so much of your astounding journey. The dunes, the air balloon, the faces, the big cats, the birds and feathers, the digs, your kind heart.

    And 'my' elephant....


    kj

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love your poncho Lori! Looks beautiful on you.
    I'm going to check out your ravelry notes now.

    ReplyDelete
  34. "africa can be what you read on the news, but it's also so much more" I just love you for saying that Lori! And so lovelly thing again, you show us here. That poncho suits you so well. I don't know how you do it, but somehow you manage to make all knitted things looks very elegant on you.
    And that project bag, a wonderful gift indeed.
    Love, Gesche

    ReplyDelete
  35. What a gorgeous knitting bag and your poncho is divine.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Lori, I love your poncho and a great gift indeed!Have a great weekend!

    Shantana

    ReplyDelete
  37. Gorgeous shawl, Lori! and you always model your knitting so beautifully too! The little bag is a wonderful gift...I always love things with text added, and that is so special.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
    Helen x

    ReplyDelete
  38. Beautiful poncho Lori and what a sweet gift from your friend. :)

    ReplyDelete

xoxo lori