Here in the US, we just celebrated Thanksgiving and my home was filled with family, food, and a much-needed togetherness that we’ve all been craving. Coming to the table, in warmth and openness, at least for us, put a softer edge on the turmoil that we’ve been experiencing. A sweeter “gentleness” that reminds of what is important, of what we can do to preserve that hope going forward.
Gentleness.
That word … that idea stirs up something within me that I can’t really articulate, something that urges me to a profoundly deeper place. I fingered the Silk Fog yarn for my swatches this week, marveling at how it seems encapsulate that “essence” I’ve been contemplating. Strange how yarn, in its simpleness, seems to speak the words I can’t … The Silk Fog has a delicate halo that almost blurs the colours in the strands, like the waters in a Monet watercolour painting. Silk and kid mohair in a loose ply are captivating in a rustic sort of way, with a delicate lustre that finishes off the effect. I sat on the floor of my office, skeins pressed to my neck in comfort, and I wondered, not for the first time, about yarn’s ability to heal hearts with its softness.
The colours I chose, Honey Fig and Saffron, capture the mood of the season: rich and enchanting, faith and passion. Like lights twinkling in the dark, stolen kisses under the mistletoe, laughing children holding hands, prayers in front of the nativity, families gathered around a table …
For my swatch play, I used size US 4 (3.5 mm) needles, a little lace, and a whole lot of not-wanting-to-put-it-down. Stitch by stitch, peace move from needle to hands to heart and I could see … right there in the dim light by the tree … I could see that magic called “hope” twinkling back at me. Pick up some Silk Fog, try the stitch pattern below, and see how the stitches speak to you …
Little Lights (mult of 4 sts + 5)
Row 1 (RS): K1, k2tog, yo, *k1, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 and all WS rows: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 5: K2, yo, *sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k1, yo; rep from * to last 3 sts, sl1, k1, psso, k1.
Row 7: Knit.
Row 8: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Repeat Rows 1 – 8 for pattern.
Sweet and simple, it’s a stitch pattern that flows gently. What do you think?
