After Halifax, we had one very rough day in the wake of Hurricane Ophelia. The pools on board were drained and covered with nets, deck chairs were lashed down, the rock climbing wall was closed, and the ice show was cancelled. Imagine jumping up into a double axel not knowing what angle the ice surface would be when coming down.
We all walked like drunks, and some people resorted to antinausea patches, not me fortunately. Donna Druchunas decided to teach her finishing class sitting down; she said she couldn't think about how to balance standing up and what she was trying to say at the same time. The tips I learned about seaming garter stitch were worth the price of the class. I want to knit some more Elizabeth Zimmerman garments and I've never been happy with my skills in that area.
Finally, the next day was the first of the trip to dawn sunny and clear. Two of the women on the cruise lived in Boston and offered to show us around their city, including their favorite LYS. So we started out at The Stitch House in a lovely tree-lined neighborhood in Dorchester, in the midst of traditional three-story, three-generation homes. I loved the gold house on the corner.
The shop had a lovely atmosphere, a great selection of yarn and fabric, including Amy Butler sewing patterns, and very helpful and friendly staff. I limited myself to one skein of sock yarn again, this time a lovely blue Malabrigo. I bought a Classic Elite Yarns book of scarf variations called Panache, and have started "Glamour" with the yarn. It's unusual to see a rectangular scarf knitted in a lace pattern from the long side. It will be a nice change from triangles.
Boston is a beautiful city, and we very much enjoyed driving around seeing some of the sights.
I really wanted to see the Italian neighborhood, so Spence and Robin took us to Hanover Street for a late lunch at the Bella Vista Ristorante, where I enjoyed spaghetti aio oio (in garlic and olive oil) with broccoli and chicken, and a charming display of Venetian glass shaped like handbags.
That night, our table celebrated Diane's birthday.
There was one final day of classes, in which Joan Schrouder taught us how to construct a Shetland shawl, using traditional lace patterns.
And our trip was over.
It's taken me a month to post all this; since I've been home I've been sick with a cold, had company for the weekend of our annual Abruzzese banquet at the Italian club, and been called out of town for the funeral of an extended family member. But I have finished the Romi Hill pattern, Merope, that I started on the cruise with the Ruby Slipper colorway of String Theory Caper sock yarn.
And on the out of town trip, I had enough car time (my niece Jenna can drive now!) and visiting time to knit most of another Romi Hill pattern.
This one is the Live Oak Shawlette from the Fall 2011 issue of Knitscene. This Java colorway is String Theory yarn too, but it's Lux with a higher cashmere content. Based on these two beauties, I think the third skein of String Theory should be another Romi Hill design. Luckily I have the 7 Small Shawls ebook, so there are still lots to choose from.
But winter is coming and I have a few other small projects to finish first.
Comments