Mountain Vacation Knitting: Shawls, Ponchos, and Cozy Travel Projects

our cabin view.. see the fog.. that is Townsend area, it looked like fluffy roving lol

It has been two weeks since my last post, and I have been one busy mom. Since my last update, we have had doctor appointments, a vacation, a MOPS meeting, and some family drama. I can honestly say that I really needed that vacation.

Before I get into all the pictures, I want to start with the knitting and crochet, because that has been a big part of this trip and the days leading up to it.

 I do have a finished object to share. Before we left, I wanted to make a light wrap to take with me since the weather was cooler in the mountains. This project has become my Prayer Shawl, and I really enjoyed working on it. I am crocheting it using James C. Brett Marble Chunky in the MC9 colorway. The yarn is super soft, comes in great colors, and works up beautifully with no splitting or knots.

I started with a double crochet foundation chain of fifty stitches, then worked half double crochet rows until I reached the length I wanted, which is around seventy inches. I worked half double crochet around the piece, placing three half double crochets in the corners on the long sides. For the edging, I worked three treble crochets in one stitch, then one treble crochet in the next stitch, repeating around three sides only. It was a comforting project to work on and perfect for travel.

I also brought along my current work in progress, which is still the Easy Folded Poncho. I took a picture of it this morning. Right now, I am about one hundred eighty yards into the project out of a total of just over one thousand yards, so I still have quite a bit of knitting left to do.

I am knitting the poncho using Fibra Natura Oak in the Tyme colorway with US 7 needles. I absolutely love this yarn. It has a lovely natural feel, very little splitting, and makes a fabric that feels soft and comfortable. This pattern was gifted to me through a Random Act of Kindness, which makes the project even more meaningful. I am also working on it as part of the Must Stash Rhinebeck or Bust knit along. The pattern itself is very easy, though it is a lot of the same stitch repeated, which makes it perfect for quiet knitting time.

Of course, there was also some car knitting along the way. Need I say more?

Now, for a little about the vacation itself. We spent our time in the Smoky Mountains, which has to be our second favorite place, with our home being the first. When we go to the Smokies, we always stay in Wears Valley. It is peaceful and quiet, yet still close enough to the main strip in Pigeon Forge.

Our cabin view was amazing. You could see the fog rolling through the Townsend area, and it honestly looked like fluffy roving floating through the mountains.

Right before we left, my hubby put me through a bit of stress. We were originally supposed to leave on Thursday, but on Tuesday, after I dropped the kindergartner off at school, he decided to change plans because it was supposed to rain in Alabama. That might sound great, but not if you are an OCD, list-making, pack-the-day-before kind of planner like me. I suddenly had only two hours to pack myself and the boys. Somehow, I managed it, although I definitely overpacked out of fear of not having enough.

While we were there, I managed to score some Renew Wool from Tuesday Morning and another ball of Christmas sock yarn in the Balsam Fir colorway. I also visited the Smoky Mountain Spinnery, which I really enjoyed. The shop has three rooms and carries only natural fibers. They have a huge selection of rovings, and I cannot wait to go back and get more.

The boys and I took a little nature walk, and I snapped plenty of pictures along the way. There were corn stalks and hay decorations, a bus so long I had never seen anything like it, and lots of sweet moments with the kindergartner and my redhead.

I am glad I was able to catch up with you and share a little of our vacation, along with the knitting and crochet that came with it.

Happy yarning!

Elvira's on Wear Valley Road

Its all made from Corn Stalks and Hay!!

I have never seen a bus like this it was so super long!

the boys and I decided to take a little Nature Walk.

My Little cuties, the "kindergartner" and the "redhead."