Sometimes You Just Have To Go With The Yarn Flow

I have decided to finally stop fighting the urge to cast on something new when inspiration strikes. Yep, I know that means I could have all 12 of my own projects for Deep South Knitting on the needles at the same time. I don't know why I spent so much energy fighting it. After all, I had 20 personal projects on my needles on January 1st this year. Yep, 20!

So if I ignore the fact that more than a dozen of those are still on the needles and completely neglected while I work on the book, then 12 for the book seems like an improvement, right? I'm gonna need more bins now as I'm expecting another 40 skeins of yarn to show up at more door this week. It's only going to get worse. I guess my guest room is about to become my Deep South Knitting project room. I hope you weren't planning on visiting anytime soon!

The book will feature another 20 or so projects from shops and designers in the South. We're still getting applications and have already selected some really stunning pieces for inclusion in the book. All of the projects are inspired by the South and it's been fascinating to see how designers take inspiration from some of the ordinary things that surround them every day. For me, it's hard not to be inspired by the beautiful things that grow in the South where something is always in bloom. In even in the brutal heat of the summer, my own yard is in bloom -- giant white "snowballs" of tiny flowers on my crepe myrtles, bright red geraniums, climbing ruby roses, golden honeysuckle, purple haze, and creamy magnolias are all in bloom.

The research for the travel part of the book has really made me to fall in love with the South all over again. The best part for me is that I will get to visit my favorite places in all 12 states again. The South's mountain ranges -- Blue Ridge, Smokies, Ozarks. And the beautiful Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches. And let's not forget tasting all the best of yummy Southern cooking. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it!

Okay -- back to knitting...maybe I'll cast on my something new.....?