So, I'm back, after a long absence.  For the past several months, I've struggled with this blog.  As some of you may know, I've have been dealing with some medical issues with one of my children.  It seems that he has some neurological condition, which may be regressive, and we can't seem to get a diagnosis.  Frustrating, scary, time-consuming, and did I mention terrifying?
So, I've not been sure what to do about this.  For a long time, it didn't seem possible to sit and write about knitting, when all this is going on.  Then, when I realized that I do need to keep going on, it was hard to come back without an explanation of my absence.  And, I do not want this to be a blog about that! 
Then, walking to work last week, it came to me.   Today I will write about how knitting, and our store, has helped me through all of these struggles. 
We've all heard it before "knitting is the new yoga"  and in some ways it is--without the sore muscles!  For me, when I'm knitting, I can allow my mind to wander, to think all those thoughts that can't be formed in the bustle of life.  Part of what I've had to do is keep logs of practically everything my son does.  I have to organize it, and be able to communicate it to the neurologist in a concise, but clear way.  I'm often not successful at it, but I do find that I "rehearse" all my conversations and solve problems over a simple garter stitch moebius! 
Then I have my more complicated knitting, my shawls and my mathematical creations.  Those give me an opportunity to strain my brain over something that, when it all comes down to it, is really unimportant.  If I can't solve that problem, well the world can live without one more shawl! 
And then we have the store...  I can't say enough about what the team we have has done to support me and my family.  Susie, Nadine, Adrienne, and Robyn have all been willing to cover for me any time we have to run off to the doctor.  When I come back from a bad appointment, Susie knows me well enough to ask, "do you want to talk, or should I leave you alone?"  They listen to me, offer advice, and when it's time distract me.   I have had customers offer me advice, give me referrals, and I know many of you are praying for us.  I can't say enough what that means to me.  I always tell people that knitters are the nicest group I know, and I have certainly seen that in this past year. 
So, to be completely pithy, I guess that while life does have it's struggles, it's great to be a part of something that provides so much on so many levels.

And now, on to some knitting content...
I have become completely addicted to shawl knitting.  I'm doing a series of shawls with armholes or sleeves (I can't keep them on otherwise!).  I'm also enthralled with the idea of a garment that has no cast on, no bind off, and no seams.   Here's my most recent jacket/shawl.  This one was made with the Habu viscose rayon sizing.  I love the yin/yang quality of it--the fiber is a little stiff, very raw-looking, yet the shawl is so extremely delicate looking. 






I'll have more things up in the next few days.