When you drive north from Taos, north across the flat sagebrush-covered plateau that seems to stretch to the horizon, you suddenly come across an incredible gash in the earth. It's the Taos Gorge, cut some 650 feet down by Rio Grande River, and spanned by the fifth-highest bridge in the country.
Now follow the gorge to the west a few miles, and it softens. There are climbs on the top layer of basalt -- in a spot known as Dead Cholla Wall -- and hiking trails in the valley below.
We, of course, were climbing, and I was getting in a few stitches when I could. It was such a blissfully cool and overcast day. So lovely to sit and knit and watch the clouds swirl through the sky.
As for the knitting ... you might be wondering what happened to that red sweater that I was so enthusiastically knitting when we were in Sedona. Let's just say: there was an incident. An incident with the sleeve caps. It's now stuffed angrily into the bottom of a knitting bag and I don't know when it will see the light of day again.
So I started another shawl, which is really the great love of my knitting life. This is another Moonbeams -- the final version, in a laceweight alpaca/silk, before I release the pattern. You can see how the m1s radiate out from the center to create the half-circle of stockinette.
Actually, it might not be the last version. I'm probably going to see how it works up in a drapey DK or Worsted weight, too, because I love the idea of having a lush, heavy alpaca shawl to wrap around my neck come November.
And, yes, I'm going to need it this year. I don't talk a great deal about my graduate work on this blog, but you'll all see soon enough anyways -- I'm moving back to Cambridge this fall for one last semester. So in a few weeks it'll be goodbye Southwest, hello New England again. See what Isis thinks about that ..
As for me, I'm in the midst of a tremendous mountain of work, but I'm also trying to soak up the stark beauty here before heading off again.
Now follow the gorge to the west a few miles, and it softens. There are climbs on the top layer of basalt -- in a spot known as Dead Cholla Wall -- and hiking trails in the valley below.
We, of course, were climbing, and I was getting in a few stitches when I could. It was such a blissfully cool and overcast day. So lovely to sit and knit and watch the clouds swirl through the sky.
As for the knitting ... you might be wondering what happened to that red sweater that I was so enthusiastically knitting when we were in Sedona. Let's just say: there was an incident. An incident with the sleeve caps. It's now stuffed angrily into the bottom of a knitting bag and I don't know when it will see the light of day again.
So I started another shawl, which is really the great love of my knitting life. This is another Moonbeams -- the final version, in a laceweight alpaca/silk, before I release the pattern. You can see how the m1s radiate out from the center to create the half-circle of stockinette.
Actually, it might not be the last version. I'm probably going to see how it works up in a drapey DK or Worsted weight, too, because I love the idea of having a lush, heavy alpaca shawl to wrap around my neck come November.
And, yes, I'm going to need it this year. I don't talk a great deal about my graduate work on this blog, but you'll all see soon enough anyways -- I'm moving back to Cambridge this fall for one last semester. So in a few weeks it'll be goodbye Southwest, hello New England again. See what Isis thinks about that ..
As for me, I'm in the midst of a tremendous mountain of work, but I'm also trying to soak up the stark beauty here before heading off again.
Mountain Man setting up his rap from "Lava Flows," 5.11, last climb of the day
Love seeing you knitting in these remote mountains! The new Moonbeams will be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! Those are some fantastic views.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of that gorge. It's now on my list of things to see. The weather sounds wonderful! It's been so hot here...for weeks...that I can't even remember what wonderful weather feels like. It's supposed to cool down a bit this week. I'm SO glad! Isis is adorable! What a great dog! Sorry to hear your sweater gave you so much trouble. I have a vest project like that. Best wishes for your move and your semester away. I can understand why you're soaking up the views....and probably the nice weather before you go.
ReplyDeleteLovd your red sweater, and the color was good on you, too. Could it turn into a vest instead of a sweater, maybe? I hate to waste my knitting efforts. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful views.
ReplyDeleteWhat you have knitted and also the scenery. Very beautiful.