Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Vacation Knitting

The family and I are headed to Maine on Friday, and we are in the throes of vacation planning and packing. First, on the enthusiastic recommendation of my sister who called me from the top of a mountain in Montana to tell me how much she loved them, I furiously knit myself a pair of TOFUtsies socks to wear while hiking.

They are a bit too small; the heel flap is too shallow, but they will do. After spending a year perfecting my toe-ups, I'm working on my cuff-down technique, and I still need some more practice. TOFUtsies is a very thin yarn, so next time I'll stick with a US1/2.25 mm needle and cast on more stitches and make my heel flap longer. I do love the silky feel of these socks, so you can expect to see more simple TOFUtsies from me.

Once I had the appropriate footwear packed, my attention turned to what knitting to pack. We'll be staying in a pond-side cabin in the Maine woods, with several days spent in the surrounding Acadia/Schoodic regions. I'll have a plane ride, some good long car rides, and hopefully, some time knitting pond-side as well.

I always travel with socks, and of course, I had to bring my summer crush, Nancy Bush, with me. Predictably, I'll be knitting the New England Socks from Knitting on the Road, corny as it may be. The dilemma was what yarn to choose. A lacy pattern calls for a solid or mostly-solid, so here were the candidates:

Lobster red Spirit Trail :: Leafy green Gems Opal :: Watery blue Koigu

You'll have to see the winner when I return, but it shouldn't be too hard to figure out which one I chose.

Much of this trip will be spent in the car, meandering up Route 1, going back and forth between the cabin and Acadia. I cannot admire the scenery while hunched over a lace chart, so I will need a simple knit as well. Tomato is coming along, now being knit on smaller needles.

I am a chronic overpacker, but as the chief packer for the entire family, I am trying to break myself of this habit. I think stopping at two knitting projects seems like a good place to start. Surely a pair of socks and an entire sweater should keep my needles occupied for a week?

See you when I get back!

13 comments:

Lolly said...

Your summer crush! haha! yeah, my fling with Nancy's patterns are more than a seasonal affair :)

I love the way the Tofutsies knit up. My friend bought some the other day, but I resisted not knowing how it would look knit up... now I like it!

Wow, have a great time in Maine. I am sure it will be wonderful! I haven't made it up there yet...

knitnzu said...

Hmmmm....Acadia is far from Bath, but if you are there you should stop at Halcyon Yarn, it's the biggest LYS around and it is JUST off Route 1, just south of the bridge. Have a great time!

Bridget said...

Have a great time! Maine sounds great.

Kristy said...

It sounds like you have enough to keep you busy for a week :) I always overpack my knitting stuff, too!

It sounds like this will be a great trip! Have fun.

Anonymous said...

Have a great time! Maine is so wonderful -- our annual trip to Boothbay Harbor is coming up in a month and I can't wait.

P.S. If you're going up 1 and troll through Bath you should stop at Halcyon Yarns. It's right next to the main road.

Violet said...

It looks fabulous! I want to try tofutsies out soon.

Anonymous said...

I'm an overpacker too. Have a great time! Love the yarn and sock!

Christie said...

Oh, have a wonderful time! I think that the light blue would be best. Not too dark, so knitting if it's late will be easier.

I didn't get any knitting done until the plane flight home! For shame! I'm a bad knitter! There was just too many interesting things to see [and eat!]!!

Anonymous said...

Have a great trip! And if you are driving through Portland during the brunch period, consider stopping at Bintliff's American Cafe. I love that place! There is also a fun little yarn shop in Bar Harbor..have fun!!

Madge said...

Have a fantastic trip!

Anonymous said...

Have a great trip! I haven't worked with Tofutsies yet, but I'd like to try it.

knittingphilistine said...

You and Nancy... so STEAMY! You're totally going to use that sexy lobster red for your new socks. Have a fab trip!

carrie said...

i never know how many projects to take along, either. should be some kinda formula for that...

and i'm also a chronic overpacker. you never know what event might present itself over your vacation!