The Marathon

The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards),^[1] that is usually run as a road race. The event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon (the namesake of the race) to Athens.

From Wikipedia

            I feel like the past six weeks have been a marathon of knitting.  Linda and I have been knitting up a storm in July and August, preparing for the Fall Cpt Kyle Comfort Benefit Fashion Show at the Jacksonville Community Center on Sept 10 at 9:30-12:00.  We are designing new knitwear, which means that I have been doing a lot of knitting and taking out, and starting over the see what looks cool.  (Something I never thought I would have the heart or the will to do).  We have sweaters, shawls, scarves, hats and cowls in the works and they are impressive, if I may say so myself.  You have to come out to the Fashion Show and see them.

            I have found that when I wear something I have knitted, it usually elicits the response- "Wow that's gorgeous- where'd you get it?"  I love to say, I made it.  Or more often I say Linda knit it and it was too big for her so she gave it to me.  Isn't it wonderful!  I have learned that if I practice and relax my knitting muscles will become stronger and stronger.  Soon I will be knitting like Linda!

            So, back the marathon.  They say there is something very rewarding about a marathon.  In order to complete it, one must practice and grow progressively stronger.  When it comes to knitting, you begin with easy patterns and then challenge yourself with new stitches and more complicated techniques.  Linda, Susan and I try to teach classes that advance your skills.   In September Susan is teaching a pattern Linda wrote and knitted which we have put together with a shawl box.   The pattern will include simple lace patterns, combined with other techniques.  Linda is teaching a sleeveless vest/sweater with an inserted medallion.  It is stunning and looks complicated, but when broken down into individual parts it is easy to tackle with Linda's gifted teaching and encouragement.  I will be teaching a class which will use you bits and pieces of stash yarn to knit a beautiful caplet. 

            With Fall just around the corner (a refreshing thought with temperatures kissing 100 degrees) it is time to begin thinking about knitting Christmas gifts.  I have heard there are actually people who have all their gifts wrapped by October.  I can't imagine.... and where is the fun in that?  My mom always felt there was nothing more special than a hand made gift.  A loaf of bread, homemade jelly, a pair of knitted slippers, or a beautiful shawl or afghan.  Come see what Yarns HomePlace Farm is putting together for your holiday knitting.  Scarf boxes, shawl boxes and more are in the works.  We are busy dyeing Auburn and Alabama yarn for fall, and other striking color ways that are only limited by your imagination. 
            To bring this blog to an end, I wanted to share some of the past projects we have knitted up to inspire us all to begin training for our own marathons. 

Inspirations

Benefit Fashion Show coming up Sept. 10

I have been back from California for almost a week.  I did have a chance to visit Rumpelstiltskin's Yarn Shop  (a fellow blogger suggested it) while in Sacramento.  It was fun looking around at the shop samples and getting some new ideas.  They were very sweet and helpful.  I did purchase a great hat pattern to teach to all of you in a class this fall.  We had a chance to see the state capital and see some amazing trees on the  grounds.  The picture I have shared is of my grandson and me in one of the huge trees. 

Linda and I have both been busy knitting for the upcoming fashion show. She is knitting sweaters at the same rate as I am knitting hats. Feel my pain? She loves to encourage me with words like...you are great at knitting hats, not you are too slow to finish a sweater in time for next years fashion show. We each have our special talents :) . Alright, now for fashion show details.

Yarns by HomePlace Farm, the Children's Market Place Consignment Sale, and The Willow Tree are working together to sponsor a Fashion Show & Breakfast catered by Chef Bob of Birmingham. It will be held on September 10, 2011 from 9:30 until 12, at the Jacksonville Community Center. We are hosting this event to raise money to support the CPT Kyle Comfort Memorial Foundation. The cost will be $15 per person.

The CPT Kyle Comfort Memorial Foundation was created by his widow in honor of CPT Comfort who was killed in action while serving in the Army in Afghanistan on May 8, 2010. CPTComfort is an Alumnus of Riverside Military Academy (2001) and Jacksonville State University (2006). The Foundation has been established to assist soldiers and their families when they have been sent to attachment hospitals in Germany for further care after being wounded in the line of duty. Many times when sent to Germany the soldiers are sent with nothing but a hospital gown and their dog tags. The medical facilities give them basic necessities but when you are hurt and away from home it is nice to have some things of comfort.

Mark your calendar and please join us for a morning filled with fall fashion ideas. Linda and I are excited to be a part of helping to raise money for this worthy cause.