Hello there! Last Sunday morning we went for a walk in a small out-of-the-way nature reserve. In fact, it’s such an out-of-the-way place that we’ve only ever met two other people there, which is very unusual in this overpopulated little country. It’s an open patch of heathland, with dry and sandy soil, various kinds of heather, grasses and some trees. With thunderstorms forecast for the afternoon and evening, the atmosphere was oppressive.
I was feeling a bit meh. Actually more than just a bit meh – tired and uninspired. I was struggling with the last details on the cardigan for our daughter. The ribbings along the pocket tops, which I would otherwise just have got on with, seemed an insurmountable obstacle.
And there was literally nothing else on my needles. I did have some new knitting projects lined up, but didn’t feel excited about any of them. In short, I’d lost my knitting mojo and also felt like I had nothing left to say. While in the distance sheep were grazing and dozing, and a highland cow was playing hide-and-seek, I was ruminating.
Maybe it was the summer weather, never conducive to knitting. Or maybe it was only to be expected after all the knitting and sewing of the past few months, no matter how much I’ve loved it. One of the things I made that I haven’t shared here yet is this little cardi. I think it’s very sweet, but the pattern could have been a little more detailed.
Walking there, I was thinking, ‘Maybe I should abandon all attempts at making things for a while and take a break from blogging for the rest of July and August.’
And then my husband veered off from the main path to follow a side track, I followed him, and… oh, look!
Thyme!
This is a rare kind of thyme called kleine tijm (small thyme) in Dutch (Thymus serpyllum; Breckland thyme or creeping thyme in English). It’s tiny (about 3 cm/1¼” tall), fragrant and covered in pink flowers at this time of year. So beautiful!
Looking closely, I saw some bees on it with very hairy legs.
The Plant Atlas of the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland says about this thyme that it grows, ‘…especially in areas disturbed by rabbits or sheep.’ Exactly.
Within seconds the thyme shakes me out of my slump and I begin to notice other small and beautiful things. Like lovely little tufts of lacy lichens.
And small blue butterflies fluttering around the heather. ‘How about making one of those?’ a voice inside of me whispers.
Since our walk, I’ve been hearing more whisperings. It isn’t always clear what they’re telling me, but I feel quite sure I need to listen to them. One of them was very specific, though, and made me cast on a pair of simple socks in a yarn that looks like a water colour painting of a Dutch landscape.
Two takeaways from this walk:
- It’s okay to allow yourself to be sidetracked from time to time – it may lead to rabbit or sheep poo, but also to beautiful discoveries.
- Small things can bring great happiness.
I can’t say that my knitting mojo has miraculously returned, but I’m feeling more positive. I’d miss chatting with you here on my blog too much, so won’t be taking that break. Only, until my knitting mojo decides to put in an appearance I expect to be writing about side tracks with very little idea of where they’ll be taking us. I hope you don’t mind, hope you’re doing well and hope to see you again next week!
When you feel you need to take a brake, just do it. But I am very pleased that sidetrack and Thyme opened your eyes and made you more aware of all the beauty surrounding you. Imagine how beautiful the moors will be soon, when the heather will be flowering.
Enjoy the little things in life, your knitting mojo will come back eventually, and in the mean time you have created a gorgeous little cardigan and a beautiful butterfly 🥰
You’re right, not long now before the heather’s blooming. I’m really looking forward to that. Thank you for dropping by, and yes, it’s often in the little things isn’t it?
It sounds like the walk was what you needed Marijke! I have come to realize that it’s ok not to be productive all of the time. We have to give ourselves a little rest every now and then. The sweater you made is beautiful! I love the texture you created. Take lots of deep breaths and feel wonderful about what you have accomplished!
Not being productive is difficult for me – I hope that someday I’ll also get to the stage where I can accept that being unproductive is okay now and then. Working on it ;). Looking back on accomplishments is also a good idea, instead of always looking ahead. Thank you!
Weather is stormy here again too. Yesterday a hummingbird, the fair and stranded colorwork mittens on the needles. Love the cardi w diamonds! Pics and whisperings wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your impression of where you live. I’ve never seen a hummingbird except on tv – such beautiful creatures. In my mind’s eye I can see you knitting your colourwork mittens there. Great idea for a summer project!
It’s warm this summer, and humid, and it’s not good for my creativity as well. But I am in Copenhagen at the moment, spoiled for choice in the beautiful stores and that does help.
But when I loose my mojo, I always call it ‘knitting limbo’ and I know it will pass, and I cannot force it. When I am completely uninspired, but my hands need to knit, I cast on a little Sophie scarf for my mum. She has them in different colours and loves to wear them.
I cannot wait to see your beaded butterfly!
Oh, Copenhagen, lucky you! And lucky mum, with all those lovely little scarves to choose from. As you say, my hands need to knit, too, and simple small projects may be best at the moment. For me it’s socks right now, but I’ll keep your scarf idea in mind. Enjoy your trip and I’d love to hear about your yarn shop visits some time.
P.S. I’ll try to remind myself to think, ‘this will pass’.
Natuur kan zo helend zijn!
Bedankt voor je mooie blog!
Ja, absoluut. Ik heb het al vaak ervaren, en toch was het ook nu weer een verrassing. Fijn weekend verder!