It looked like the warm weather was here to stay, but over the last few days the weather has been rainy and stormy and growing progressively colder. Today I’m actually bundled up in a cardigan and fingerless gloves. It makes me think that making gloves to sell isn’t necessarily foolish at this time of year. I’m half-finished with a cozy pair in mossy gray-green, and I think that I may try something a little bit more elegant and lacy next. Maybe in black, or maybe I’ll go wild and funky with something in bright pink.

Last night, four different people approached our knitting circle and commented on our work, even though none of us were working on anything show-stopping. At least one of our visitors had an interest in joining us and learning to knit! I particularly I was pleased to meet a man who had just recently moved here from my home state of Maine. During the course of our discussion we discovered that not only are we both Pisces, we were both born on the cusp of Pisces and Aries, one day apart. It was a real joy to talk with him, and with everyone who stopped by our table. I’m shy with strangers, but I do like to meet new people. Each friendly face and kind word is a new inspiration.

It’s amazing how a group of people knitting in public can draw so many curious visitors, and it makes me happy that they always have something kind and appreciative to say. It also makes me very happy to find people who genuinely want to learn a new craft; so many people are intimidated and think, “Oh, I could never do that! I’m too clumsy!” or “I’m not smart enough,” or “I’ve always wanted to learn x or y, but I don’t have the patience or the time.” I really think that everyone could benefit by just trying, and I think many of them would discover that even if one craft is beyond their abilities, there is something out there for everyone that is so enjoyable as to not feel like work, or like it is taking valuable time away from other activities. I find it is so pleasurable to have a finished or in-progress project in my hands and know that I made that, that my time and effort resulted in something I can hold and touch and use. I find it to be a peaceful change from the world of reports and spreadsheets and emails and voicemails, a world full of results that are by and large intangible and disposable.

I have a busy weekend ahead of me, but I hope I can find some spare moments between all the visiting and cleaning to finish my gloves then photograph and list them and the laptop cozy. There never seems to be enough time to get things done as quickly as I’d like and still get enough sleep. One of these days I’ll have to crochet myself a time machine.