Inspired to Create

Summer continues apace in August. Did you know that this August has TWO full moons? The night skies are beautiful here. The stars and moon glitter and we take the time to look beyond ourselves. There are stacks and stacks of salt marsh hay in tidy bales down on the marsh. Locals wonder when those protected plover chicks will fly and watch in wonder as thousands of tree swallows swoop and twirl as they return to the wildlife refuge again. Nature gives us so many colors, textures and designs. We see beauty and patterns everywhere.

We are inspired to create. 

CHILDREN’S BUTTON JACKET, #46 - a lovely gentle over-sized children’s jacket, a great layering piece.  The pattern calls for sport weight doubled but can also use a soft worsted weight in the same gauge. Worked in 1 color or 2, the simple garter stitch makes a beautiful, simple fabric and shape.

MAC’S SPORT SOCKS #90 knit with textured organic cotton. The color is gentle, earthy and minimal with a snug fit around the instep and soft rib around the leg. Are these real socks for daytime wear or "slipper socks" as we call them at our house? No one needs to know you wear them for both. 

Primitive Rug Hooker

6-9" Cut Wool Scraps 
from Finished Rugs

I love easing into the sleepy summer months of July and August, when time seems to be on my side. These are the days when I find pleasure in sitting on our screened in porch, drinking morning coffee, sometimes swatching stitches that intrigue me. But more often these days, I hook. Yes, I admit it, I’m a primitive rug hooker. 

Hooking and knitting have the same appeal for me. Both lead me to rich colors and interesting designs and textures. Searching for the perfect wool colors that will make a rug unique leads me to Salvation Army and Goodwill thrift stores looking for discarded wool coats or skirts in many hues. Once the garments are cut apart, washed and slightly felted, they are ready to be cut into strips and hooked in patterns that can both sing and comfort.

Perhaps you will also find rug hooking a great addition to your needlework. We hope that your summer allows for a change of pace, a chance to feel refreshed, a time to allow your creativity to hum. Please do share your projects with us! We would love to see them! 

   

Finished Rug June 2012 (26 x 40")

                             

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Relaxed Summer Luxury

WITH THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF MEMORIAL DAY BEHIND US IT'S TIME TO FIND OUR SUMMER PACE.  SEARCH OUT THOSE LONG STRETCHES OF QUITE BEACH, WARM SAND, COOL EVENING BREEZES AND GREAT SUMMER KNITTING.  TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR SUMMER BEST: SUMMER WRAP, #74 DONE IN BLUE SKY ALPACAS ORGANIC COTTON, A SOFT AND LIGHT WORSTED COTTON.  ANOTHER FAVORITE, ALPACA & SILK WRAP, #61, WORKED IN BLUE SKY ALPACAS ALPACA SILK, LIGHT WEIGHT WITH A BEAUTIFUL DRAPE.  BOTH ARE GREAT VACATION KNITTING, COMPACT "THROW AND GO" KIND OF KNITTING.  RELAXED SUMMER LUXURY. 

CHECK OUT WWW.MACANDME.NET FOR MORE SUMMER DESIGNS AND NEW PDF RELEASES.

HAPPY SUMMER FROM ALL OF US AT MAC AND ME!