The Way Life Should Be

Last month, for the extended 4th of July weekend, Ron and I went camping in Ogunquit Maine. This was the 3rd or 4th time we've stayed at Dixon's Campground on Rte. 1 in Ogunquit, and hopefully won't be the last. Being outdoors in the city means having cement, pavement, or bricks underfoot at all times, skipping gingerly aside to barely avoid maniacal cabdrivers, and being aurally accosted by sirens, horns, whistles, bangs, and other assorted sounds of ARRRGGGHHH!

Camping, however, is the most relaxing activity I could imagine to get away from it all. Being outdoors while camping means having grass, dirt, or sand underfoot at all times, skipping gingerly aside to barely avoid an errant tree branch on a hiking trail, and being aurally serenaded by birds chirping, chipmunks rustling in the leaves, crickets chirping at night, and other assorted sounds of aahhhhh.

After setting up the tent, lighting the campfire, and hanging the tarp in case of rain, there's nothing to do but sit and relax. The perfect time to whip out the knitti... Oh No!!! I forgot to pack my knitting!

Faced with five days of sitting around a campsite with no knitting, I realized I was in desparate need of needles and yarn. (BTW - did those words just come out of me - "in desparate need of needles and yarn"?!?!?) Luckily, I spotted a really quaint yarn shop just a couple of miles back on Rte. 1. The Yarn Sellar is a cute little shop which on that day had a very nice lady named Patsy behind the register. If in southern coastal Maine, do stop by - Patsy is the nicest lady, very helpful, and there's a discount on your purchase if you provide your e-mail address for the newsletter.

Back at the campsite, armed with my new Brittany birch needles (sz. 10 1/2) and bulky weight Lamb's Pride yarn in red and blue, I set about making a few can cozies in the spirit of the 4th. Basic, quick objects that gave a feeling of accomplishment without too much thinking. I was on vacation, after all, so a complicated project just wouldn't have worked for me. Solid... striped... by the time I was done, there were 5. Three were given away (2 to Ron, and 1to Drew), and two are pictured here.

This of course was just a footnote in the evolution of the perfect can cozy. I switched to working in the round on these fantastic birch dpn's, and for ease removed the bottom. They turned out to be more like can wraps than can cozies.

Between the previous cozy post and this one, I've made it my mission to come up with the perfect can cozy. I have since devised a pattern that works. Perfectly. I was thinking of sharing it with you, but now I'm starting to think Knitty submission... which means no prior publication - not even on a blog. What to do...what to do...

I'll keep you posted.