Beginning again seems to be a theme for the start of this new year. I made the leap to join Sharon Salzberg's Real Happiness Meditation Challenge and the first week was full of reminders to "just come back to the breath" and "the art of beginning again". The idea of beginning again seems to be infusing not only my meditation practice but it's seeping into other parts of my daily routine. Suddenly, I have the energy to pick up old projects (100 days of tiny art, anyone? More on that later), to finish old patterns, take more pictures and to try to write for this blog...again. It feels like a project I put down a long time ago and I'm not quite sure where I left off, but I've been practicing beginning again. I've found that the best way to begin again is as simple as Begin, Again. That means picking up the paint brush, the unfinished knitting project, and writing the first blog post after almost a year. It can be scary, but well worth the courage it takes. (I think, I hope)
I thought I would dive right in with a free pattern that I have been meaning to finish for awhile and finally finished today. (see above)
It's my take on Purl Soho's 'Open Air Wrap', The NOHO Wrap. I knit the Open Air Wrap for a friend and it was just a little too stiff for my taste, so I came up with an alternative. The minute I was finished with it people started asking me for the pattern. That was last Spring. I scribbled it down for some people but I finally got around to actually writing out the pattern.
The NOHO Wrap is light and soft. The yarn, Madelinetosh Tosh Sock, combined with the open work pattern creates a soft bouncy fabric. I grab it to throw on all the time and it makes me feel like I'm "dressed" even when I'm just picking up the kids at the pool.
The wrap pictured is knit in Coquette, the original. Madelinetosh still makes a similar color, but it's called Coquette Deux. A friend just finished hers in Coquette Deux and it's beautiful! I think there are at least three more in this colorway on the needles right now.
My older daughter knit one in Composition Book Grey. She says it is one of her favorites too.
I'm currently working on my second in Daffodil. I'm not sure if I can wear this color but I couldn't resist it! If it doesn't look good on me, someone is getting an awesome present. I'll just pick up another two skeins and begin again.
The magic of this project, like any other openwork project is in the soak and blocking. That's where you can really see the pattern and where the wrap gets it's drape and bounce.
Here's the free pattern download:
Enjoy! Here's to beginning again.
