In late August I was able to travel to Vermont, the state of my birth for the first time in my adult life. I had visited as a very young child but remember nothing of it save a wide open, Kelley green field and running through it barefoot.

You could say that Vermont resembles Maine in its landscape, but is more condensed. The valleys and mountains are steeper and more frequent, climbing dangerously into the wild air. Broken down barns call with their rustic beauty, and the air cleanses you. The fields are open and full of flowers and tallgrass. The peace at night settles deep into you, herbs and teas greet you early morning as the sun breaks over the treeline.

This cowl was my Vermont project, a reconnection to roots. Each stitch was knitted with gratitude and thankfulness at a chance to reconnect with long-lost family in this wonderful place.

ERRATA: Switch to larger needles upon completing initial ribbing!