A few months ago, after deciding I would definitely be traveling to the South Pacific by hook or by crook, I began planning for the journey by making notes on travel needs, getting a passport, and researching housing arrangements. I also took the not-quite-radical step of revamping my wardrobe with an eye toward natural fabrics that would travel well and hold up in a variety of climates.

Now, I’m not exactly easy to fit. Most clothes are geared toward women with skinny thighs and hips, and the rest are either made of non-natural fabric (like nylon) or patterned in a way that conflicts with my preferred style, which is pretty low-key. Neutral and earth tones, classic styles, durable, natural fabrics; these are all no-brainers for a woman who absolutely despises shopping for clothes.

When it came time to choose travel clothes, it was only natural for me to knit the tops and some accessories myself. With this in mind, I went on a buying spree and stocked up on a variety of yarns, needles, and notions. The gals at my local yarn store, Silver Threads & Golden Needles in Franklin, NC, were kind enough to listen politely to my tentative travel plans. Virginia, one of the proprietors, went so far as to discuss airplane travel with me and suggest stylish patterns and yarns. I’m knitting one of those patterns up now into a dressier top (Odele by Amy Christoffers) and will have more on that later.

While I’ve been knitting since the age of about eight when my grandmothers (both of them, separately) introduced me to knitting and crochet, I’m not really an experienced knitter. The great thing about the Digital Age, though, is that when I get stuck (and I almost always do), if I can’t get to my LYS, I can always turn to YouTube or do a search online for instructions on a particular stitch or pattern.

I’m a pretty slow knitter, especially when I’m writing, but knitting is relaxing and almost meditative, once you get into the groove. It makes for good thinking time or something to keep my hands busy while my son and I travel or watch a movie. (We’re unabashed movieholics.)

If you’re on Ravelry, my username is DreamingIf. Feel free to send a friend request or suggest patterns, groups, and whatnot.

And now it’s back to knitting travel clothes and watching Aliens.

Yarns from left to right, top to bottom: Louisa Harding Grace Hand-Dyed, Color 9; Juniper Moon Farms Zooey, Color 07; Shibui Linen, Color Field; Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock, Color St. Charles; Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock, Color October 2015: Walking Dead; Madelinetosh Twist Light, Color Dried Fruit; Shibui Linen, Color Fjord; Malabrigo Silkpaca Lace, Color Olive; Periwinkle Sheep Silky Single, Color Caramel.