Friday, April 27, 2012

good to go

choosing a project to bring on a trip is so much fun, doing all that required research and decision making. and yarn store visiting. it's serious business (i am sure my husband is rolling his eyes right now, hee hee). i needed something that would take up very little room, would last three weeks, and have no charts or tricky instructions.



i found it in a shawl called sothia. here is the pattern link. i think it meets the critieria for a good travel knit and it's oh so lovely. i chose madeline tosh merino light, a fingering weight wool in the colors logwood and gossamer. keeping it purposely unwound so as not to be tempted to cast on.


more beautiful pockets have arrived, i think there are eighty five at last count. we just stare at them. amazing.


and treats to tuck inside. chuck said we're going to have to charter our own plane.


okay, i did it, i wound it this morning. it's not a good idea to leave things to the last minute right?

56 comments:

  1. ooh your wound wool looks fabulous, I understand how tempted you must be to cast on! I always envy those beautiful "patties" - my hand-wound balls never look quite as beautiful.

    Wonderful pockets, have a super super trip.
    X

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  2. That's going to be a beautiful shawl in those colors. love all the pockets too! What amazing photos.

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  3. Lori Ann, you always choose the most lovely patterns and yarns for your knitting projects. I am glad to see the yarn has been wound and is all ready for the trip although maybe Chuck needs to hold your needles until you are on the way! :)
    Tears come to my eyes when I see all the pockets, how simply beautiful!

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  4. Beautiful yarns(love) and pattern- I bet it will be a favorite. The pockets with their little goodies are sure treasures.
    Have a lovely weekend.

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  5. I've been eyeing that pattern! Love the colors you have picked and I think it's a perfect project for three weeks :) Love all the pockets!

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  6. such pretty colors for a shawl!

    and our pockets and treats went into the mail this morning! i sent it priority to make sure it would get there in a timely manner. 14 more pockets and lots of lovely wishes to carry with you :)

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  7. So the more I looked at the pattern- the more I loved it. My mom is visting from Norway in a month.....and this lovely shawl be the perfect- belated mother day gift.
    Thanks for the inspiration Lori.
    xo

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  8. The yarn is gorgeous, your shawl is going to be lovely.
    The pockets are wonderful!
    xo xo
    Linda

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  9. Look at that beautiful yarn. I really like the pattern. Good pick, Lori. I am loving the stack of pockets. Ours are suppoed to get there on Monday.

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  10. The shawl pattern and yarn are beautiful, Lori. It will be a pleasure to knit and hold special memories of your trip too. Those little pockets look so sweet pictured all together, with the little treats to tuck inside them.
    Enjoy your weekend, and all your exciting plans too.
    Helen x

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  11. Its going to be an epic trip in every way.
    xx
    julie

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  12. I see my pockets in there! I have been a very big fan of your Blog for some time now and to see something I have made on your Blog is just unbelievable. I can't wipe the smile off my face. The project you have chosen for your trip looks beautiful and I wish you the best of luck with it.

    Andee

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    Replies
    1. aw andee. your pockets are amazing and those little tags. sigh. i put one right into my travel journal. xxx

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  13. Such beautiful colours. And all those little pockets are just wonderful. xx

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  14. Honey, I am so with you on this trip. You are going to have a ball and spread love, beauty, and joy. (Just like you ALWAYS do).

    Love the pockets. You know I NEED to attend one of your classes. I didn't follow up on doing the garden class because I want YOU there and you'll be in Africa.

    Sending love,

    Sharon

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  15. That yarn is SO tempting.

    Have a LOVELY wonderful enlightening soulwarming trip. See ya when you get back!!!

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  16. Love the pattern and the yarn. And all those pockets, what a lovely picture.

    Enjoy your weekend.

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  17. I was kind of hoping your last photo would be the skeins wound into cakes and you didn't disappoint. The shawl design is lovely (I adore stripes) and your choice of MadTosh Light and colors will make your knitting so pleasurable. I'm knitting a shawl in MadTosh light and love it. The pockets are so happy-making! Thank you for your good work!

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  18. Have a wonderful and inspiring time!

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  19. I wish that I had discovered your blog and your kind heart in time to participate in the pocket project...safe and happy journey to you and I can't wait to get a peek at the memories you bring home with you!
    Melissa

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  20. LOVELY POCKETS! LOVELY PEOPLE!!
    XXX Alessandra

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  21. sothia is my favorite shawl---it's the perfect size--it was the perfect travel knit--everything about it was just right. I adore the colors you chose! yes, just perfect!!! as are all those wonderful pockets! it sometimes takes a whole community--and yours came through for you! Perfect.

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  22. my darling pied piper lori and to africa and to so many, since you've brought up pockets:

    I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine.
    I got a love, and I know that it's all mine.
    Oh.

    Do what you want, but you're never gonna break me.
    Sticks and stones are never gonna shake me.
    No.

    Take me away: A secret place.
    A sweet escape: Take me away.

    Take me away to better days.
    Take me away: A higher place.

    I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine.
    I got a love, and I know that it's all mine.
    Oh.

    Do what you want, but you're never gonna break me.
    Sticks and stones are never gonna shake me.
    No.

    I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine.
    I got a love, and I know that it's all mine.
    Oh.

    Wish that you could, but you ain't gonna own me.
    Do anything you can to control me.
    Oh, no.

    Take me away: A secret place.
    A sweet escape: Take me away.

    Take me away to better days.
    Take me away: A higher place.

    There's a place that I go,

    But nobody knows.
    Where the rivers flow,
    And I call it home.

    And there's no more lies.
    In the darkness, there's light.
    And nobody cries.
    There's only butterflies.

    Take me away: A secret place.
    A sweet escape: Take me away.

    Take me away to better days.
    Take me away: A higher place.

    Take me away: A secret place.
    A sweet escape: Take me away.

    Take me away to better days.
    Take me away: A higher place.

    Take me away: A secret place.
    To better days take me away.

    Take me away to better days.
    Take me away: A higher place.

    The sun is on my side.
    Take me for a ride.
    I smile up to the sky.
    I know I'll be all right.

    The sun is on my side.
    Take me for a ride.
    I smile up to the sky.
    I know I'll be all right.

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    Replies
    1. thank you kj! pocket full of sunshine, i like that!

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  23. For my next Africa package to Moz I`ll make pockets, too! Such a wonderful idea, and really so easy to make. You have such splendid ideas, Lori, can I vote for you to become a world woman leader??

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    1. geli, i'll send some to val too! great idea!

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  24. Have a fabulous time! (I know you will!)
    Safe travels.
    And how great you have all these pockets!!!
    I cant knit and I was too late sending you something else.
    Have fun and enjoy every moment♥

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  25. I know what you mean, winding my madelinetosh was my downfall too, then I HAD to cast on! I understand the husband-eye-rolling thing too. But as there is just as many things that we shall never understand about them, it is only fair they indulge us every now and then.

    The pattern is a great choice. Enjoy your trip and your moments spent knitting. Your shawl will be a wonderful reminder of your journey. :)

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  26. Wow, that song by KJ!!!! See what you inspire? :)

    I love the outpouring of pockets! They look amazing together. What I can't wait for is the photo or photos you'll take of the native people wearing them! I can just see their smiles now.

    All of this is so wonderful! You must be getting excited.

    xoxo
    lo♥

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  27. Dear kj did not write 'pocket full of sunshine'

    But she ca hum it, and maybe she or somebody might be smart enough to put up a link for it here so we can all dance and sing our bon vogage to you and chuck and 85-plus pockets full of sunshine

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  28. And what about frank sinatra's 'pocket full of miracles'?this is that too

    Your blog is a broadway extravelganza

    xoxoxoxo
    With love from anonymous

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  29. Hi Lori! Your new yarn looks gorgeus! I'm so happy you can enjoy knitting a lovely scarf during your journey! Your photos with those tiny pockets and goodies are so cute! I bought today yarn for a jacket - natural beige colour in wool (good quality and good prize)! I hope I could make a shawl to knit in the car when we go to visit friends, but I need a jacket so I'll try to start at least the sleeves (not so much counting).
    Have a wonderful time! x Teje

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  30. Wonderful project...have a great trip

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  31. All of those pockets are so pretty to look at.

    The yarn for your traveling project is beautiful! I love the pattern, too.

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  32. Lori, How on earth will you find time to knit, except on the plane? Beautiful colors by the way. All the pockets and treats are glorious, so honored and excited to be a part of this, so fun! I am excited for you. Have a wonderful, WONDERFUL time, can't wait to see the photos :-). XOXO

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    1. annie, i'm so happy you are too! this trip we will be doing a lot of driving (long distances), so i may or may not be knitting, but just in case, i'll be prepared! (plus we have many hours of airport waiting time). xxx

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  33. beautiful colors everywhere - but, i meant the shawl first. i will have to make that one day too. it's gorgeous!

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  34. I always love that part of preparing for a trip... it's so lovely to look forward to a special project, a project that will be created while new memories are being created. I think you made a lovely choice! Happy travels. I'm eager to hear your stories when you get back. best of luck!
    Christina

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  35. I love seeing all those pockets. Sad I couldn't get any to you from Canada in time. I'm so excited for this journey you are undertaking - with so much love in its wings. What a beautiful blessing you are, Lori. Wishing you a wonderful and inspiring trip (and greedily awaiting your photos!). xoR

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  36. Dear Lori, you are going to have the best of time, I know it. And what could go wrong with a fresh, new knitting project at hands anyway, right?! Take all my love with you to Africa, where half my heart is rooted anyway, and take this old Irish blessing too, will you:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1ZXuw1dNXs&feature=related

    I can't wait to hear from you again!

    Gesche

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    1. thank you for the blessing gesche, it's beautiful. when i see the babies, i'll be thinking of your little one and you. xxx

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  37. LOVE the shawl pattern. I might need to make one too. My boys were beyond excited to see their felt balls on your blog. Have a wonderful trip!

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    1. please tell the boys the felt balls are fantastic!

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  38. You make me smile THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS big!

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  39. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f6D0rOLfWs

    copy paste and dance around the living room

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  40. and this one (admittedly more sedate)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bVZ8FSd8bw

    pockets, sunshine, miracles = lori

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  41. Have a great trip, Lori! Those pockets are happiness themselves. :)) xox!

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  42. I have Sothia on my list ... such a great pattern. And your yarn choices are perfect. Enjoy the knitting. Can't wait to hear all about the trip :D

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  43. Oops, meant to say, I somehow missed the call for yarn pockets and I'm too far away to get them to you now, but please accept a whole bunch of good wishes to accompany them, and you, on this African journey.

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  44. What an incredible response to your pockets project! Love the colours of you have chosen for your shawl, hope you get a bit of time to knit!

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  45. so great Lori - excited for you. those pockets will be the biggest fun to hand out. you guys are the coolest

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  46. The only thing I know about yarn is that I love seeing the colors and feeling it. These are beautiful.
    And pockets!!
    My-oh-my,,,just look how many. Fabulous!

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  47. Your travel yarn selection is GORGEOUS! But what is really singing to me here, are those happy lines of pockets. Pockets that will bring smiles to children's faces. Such a priceless gift.

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  48. Beautiful yarn! How exciting.

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  49. Have a wonderful trip1!!! I wish would have known about the little pockets in time, what a great community project with a GREAT BIG meaning to all those little hands who get gifted them. So sweet.

    :)Lisa

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xoxo lori