Christmas in the Country

At Christmas time I believe the things that children do.

I believe with English children that holly placed in windows will protect our homes from evil.

I believe with Swiss children that the touch of edelweiss will charm a person with love.

I believe with Italian children that La Befana is not an ugly doll but a good fairy who will gladden the heart of all.

I believe with Greek children that coins concealed in freshly baked loaves of bread will bring good luck to anyone who finds them.

I believe with German children that the sight of a Christmas tree will lessen hostility among adults.

I believe with French children that lentils soaked and planted in a bowl will rekindle life in people who have lost hope.

I believe with Dutch children that the horse Sleipner will fly through the sky and fill the earth with joy.

I believe with Swedish children that Jultomte will come and deliver gifts to the poor as well as to the rich.

I believe with Finnish children that parties held on St.Stephen's Day will erase sorrow.

I believe with Danish children that the music of a band playing from a church tower will strengthen humankind.

I believe with Bulgarian children that sparks from a Christmas log will create warmth in human souls.

I believe with American children that the sending of Christmas cards will build friendships.

I believe with all children that there will be peace on earth.

Daniel Roselle

I was on line this morning when I came across this wonderful Credo. It has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas in the country, but I just loved it so much, it made its way onto the top of this post anyway!

Thank you for your many generous offers to help me spread the scarf/cowl pattern I shared yesterday. I'll be writing up the pattern asap and will email it out to all of you who have agreed to test knit.

*****************

Every year on the 27th we pack up our winter coats and our galoshes, our presents & our packages, some warm socks and a good book to snuggle up by the fire with...

And turn both our car and our hearts northward, towards Leland, Michigan.

Those of you who have been reading for a while, know that my grandparents built a home on the lake there during the war. You know my father & step-mother, my sister and her family make their homes in this quiet pastoral corner of the state. You know DH & I are eagerly awaiting January 8th when we close the deal on our own little corner of paradise - 9 wooded acres on a ridge overlooking the lake. You know how much I love it there.

And now, those who are new to this blog know it also.

I was raised a city girl, but was lucky enough each summer to spend glorious weeks at a time, enjoying what the country has to offer. The peace and quiet, the simple evenings spent playing cards, the quiet afternoons reading or knitting on the porch, the Sunday night community sings.

I am blessed beyond belief to have this place in my family, in my heart. And every summer I make my way to the little cemetery on the point where my grandparents are buried and say a simple "thank you."

This last summer, I took Conner for the first time. He is 5th generation and I hope he will come to love it as much as I do. As much as his father does.

So when I needed a name for my latest free cowl design, my heart reached out to the windy snowy reaches of the land where we will eventually came to ground and make our home. I pictured putting on this warm and comfy neckwarmer under my jeans jacket and heading out for a winter hike through the snow.

What else could I name it but Christmas in the Country?

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY COWL

size: 6 in. tall by 22 in. around
materials: dk weight yarn MC: 85 yds. CC1: 75 yds. CC2: 33 yds. model done in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light: MC: steel cut oats CC1: redwood mix CC2: fern Size 5 (US) 24 in. circular needles
gauge: 5 ½ st. = 1 in.

Here is a shot of the back of the cowl, showing the stranding.

You will have a little jog at the beginning of each round, but just put it to the back of the cowl and no one will be the wiser.

DIRECTIONS

Notes: This cowl is knit in Fair isle style by stranding the three different colors across the back of your work. For an excellent tutorial in this method, go here.

With CC1, cast on 154 stitches. Join, taking care not to twist stitches. Place marker at beginning and work in round.

Rounds 1-4: With MC, K1, P1; rep to end of round. You may carry CC1 loosely up back of cowl or may choose to cut cast on yarn and begin anew on round 5.

Round 5: Begin Chart, working in stockinette stitch.. Work right to left in 14 stitch repeats, carrying unused colors loosely across back.

When you have completed all 36 rows of chart, repeat rounds 1 through 4. Join in CC1 and bind off loosely in rib. Weave ends in.

Pattern is also available as a free Ravelry download.

It is my heartfelt hope this holiday season that you will enjoy Christmas in the Country as much as I do...

From my house to yours, blessings & happy knitting always!

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: A 30-something femme createrix Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?