Thursday, March 07, 2013

Spring Time Rituals

 Yes, as a matter of fact, I do knit. I just don't finish anything. I bought this pretty Lornas Laces yarn last year some time, and I've started several sock patterns with it. I've always had a little trouble with "perfectionism," not that I strive for perfection really. It's more that I don't usually think that my finished products are good enough. So, this is "Friday Harbor" from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road, and I've successfully knit socks from this pattern at least three times. Somehow, though, this just wasn't what I wanted with this sock yarn, so I unraveled it. And started another pattern, which I am about to unravel again. Focus, Caroline, Focus. I don't know if unraveling projects is an actual ritual, but I sure do a lot of it, especially when it starts getting warmer, and I'm just knitting because I like it, not because I think I'm going to actually wear anything I'm knitting, in the near future.
One of my true spring-time rituals is to visit The Malibu Getty with my honors English students. Actually, that's a lie. My friend, who teaches A.P. U.S. History arranges the trip for our students, and I just tag along. If I had a million dollars or so, I might consider living in Malibu because of the beautiful weather and scenery, but I'm pretty happy to live close enough to just visit a couple times a year.

My favorite part of the Getty Malibu is the gardens. They're Mediterranean, which means that most of the plants and trees they have growing there can be grown in the Central Valley of California, where I live. There are innumerable herbs, and fig, peach, and citrus trees. There's even a citron tree, which is intriguing to me since I've never tasted actual "citron" other than in a fruitcake at Christmas.


Another springtime ritual for me is to go to swim meets. This is the first year that I don't have a kid in the pool, but I went to the first swim meet of the season last week, and who should show up but my  son Kai. I think he misses it a little too. I know he does since he's been working with the Master's Swim team for the last coupe of weeks. I used to bring knitting projects to swim meets, but this time, I just came and sat and enjoyed myself. Maybe next week, I'll do a little knitting...or stay home where it's warm since spring swim meets are notorious for being cold and wet places to be.

9 comments:

Cloudberry said...

Oh, I hope you find a sock pattern you like as it's a beautiful colour.
Not much spring in my part of the world... We had a big snow storm yesterday and had to shovel our way through 30 cm of snow and snowdrifts to get the kids to school.
Have a great weekend :)

WendyBee said...

Thanks so much for your blog visit and leaving a comment. I see we have similar "hang-ups" when it comes to knitting, not the same, exactly, but obstacles nonetheless. It is snowing again today, school is canceled and the wind is whipping and wailing. I will knit a little more. Maybe I will make a fire in the fireplace for the coziness factor....

Anonymous said...

Your knitting week sounds like mine. Try a pattern. Rip. Try another pattern. Rip. This went on three more times until I finally put the yarn in time out.

Caffeine Girl said...

It is nice of you to go to meets your children aren't in! I miss those days of going to events and hanging out with the moms.

Thimbleanna said...

you unravelled it? It was so pretty! It looks like spring has arrived in your neck of the woods -- we're still waiting!

Willow said...

I've been known to unravel a favorite yarn a few times to get just the right knit item. It's not weird at all!
I love Getty Villa--recognized that pool immediately.

Torhild Reidardatter said...

:)

Bonnie said...

Hi Caroline. We have much more in common than knitting bunnies. I lived in San Francisco for a few years ("sort of" central Ca.) and I have competitive swimmers as well. There is nothing better than knitting while waiting for heats. And I knit socks. Thanks for visiting my blog.

JayJay said...

I hope you were able to find a pattern for your beautiful yarn! Love your photos of Malibu too. We don't live terribly far from there, but haven't been there yet.