The last picture is the gate at the Allman Brothers Museum in Macon, Georgia. For fans, it’s well worth a visit.

4/10/2015 - At this point I am undecided as to what the background or patterning will be. It should become clear as I begin this project and have yarn in hand.

11/01/2015 - I’m finally getting started on this project. I will be using the pattern “Persian Dreams” as the template for my squares - but knitting only, no fair isle.

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#1 - RENO, NV - June 3, 2015 - Spent a day in Reno before travelling to the Northstar Resort at Lake Tahoe, CA for the retreat sponsored by Jimmy Beans Wool. Madeline Tosh, Tosh Merino Light, Color: Americana Style - exclusive to Jimmy Beans Wool.

#2 - TAHOE AT NORTHSTAR, CALIFORNIA - June 4, 2015 - This was the location for the retreat, sponsored by Jimmy Beans Wool in Reno. The group was each given a very generous “swag” bag and this yarn was in it. Rowan Fine Art, Color #304.

#3 - FORT COLLINS, COLORADO - June 10, 2015 - After the retreat in California I spent a few days in Denver which included a trip north to The Loopy Ewe in Fort Collins. As well as looking for yarn for this Travel Afghan I wanted some yarn with purple in it for the afghan I’m making for my granddaughter, Alyssa. This yarn serves both purposes. Loopy Legends, Color: Chrispy’s Tassie Tesselations.

#4 - DUNDEE, SCOTLAND - September 14, 2015 - The first city we spent any time in on the Scotland trip was Dundee, which included a trip to fluph - a great little shop where I found this yarn by a local dyer, Rusty Ferret Yarns. It’s fingering weight and some of it will go into the purple-themed afghan for Alyssa.

#5 - SHETLAND, SCOTLAND - September 18, 2015 - After an overnight ferry ride from Aberdeen to Lerwick we visited the famous Jamieson’s Woolen Mill where I bought two balls of wool in the colors of the Scottish flag. We visited Jamieson & Smith (no relation to Jamieson’s) the following day. Colors: Delph blue #685 and White #304.

#6 - TULLOCH CASTLE, DINGWALL, SCOTLAND September 21, 2015 - On the trip to Scotland we spent a night in Tulloch Castle, a wonderful experience. Alice Starmore joined us for dinner and the night and after dinner gave each of us a skein of her wool. Alice Starmore Hebridean 2-ply, Color: Machair. For the beige border I used a ball of yarn that I picked up at the Shetland Textile Museum in Lerwick. Fair Isle Home Grown WIRSIT 2-ply Jumper Weight, Color: Natural White.

#7 - EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - September 23, 2015 - Hebridean/Mohair Yarn 4-ply - Purchased at, and dyed for, Kathy’s Knits. No color name or number is on the label. Yarn is dark blue. Took a class with Ysolda Teague while at Kathy’s Knits.

#8 - DENVER, COLORADO - October 22, 2015 - Purchased at Fancy Tiger (a favorite shop that I like to visit often) on a trip to Denver - Madeline Tosh Merino Light, Color: Cosmic Wonder Dust.

#9 - DENVER, COLORADO - March 4, 2016
A gift from my late friend, Pam, from her stash. Her favorite yarn was anything by The Plucky Knitter. This block is in remembrance of Pam. Primo Fingering, Color: Cafe Society.

#10 IRVING, TEXAS - April 2, 2016
In Irving to teach at the DFW Fiber Fest. The yarn was dyed for the event by Knitting Rose Yarns from Keller, TX (near Fort Worth). 80% Superwash Merino Wool, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon. The color is “Texas Wildflowers”.

#11 SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - May 14, 2016
Vacation in Savannah and Tybee Island. Yarn is from local dyer, Sarah DeRoo, Copper Corgi Fiber Studio. Savannah Sock, color: Clifftop - 100% superwash merino.

#12 SHETLAND ISLANDS - September, 2016
Trip to Shetland for Wool Week. Wool is from Jamieson & Smith: Green #65, Dark Green #82MIX, Dark Blue #FC41, Brown #78MIX, Gray #2. These are the same colors as in the sweater I’ll be making: Sandsound by Outi Kater. Yarn purchased at the Jamieson & Smith shop in Lerwick.

#13 LONDON, UK - October, 2016
Vacation in London after the trip to Shetland Wool Week. Yarn purchased at John Lewis store on Oxford Street, London. Yarn was new to me. Enough yarn for the afghan and also a pair of socks. Debbie Bliss Rialto Luxury Sock yarn - 75% Wool 25% Polyamide - Color #5 Mutek.

#14 DENVER, CO - November, 2016
Trip to visit with friends and to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Yarn was purchased at Colorful Yarns in Centennial and is meant to be similar to the Colorado State flag. Hedgehog Fibers Sock Minis - Colors: Egg Yolk and Merlot, Knitted Wit - Color: Bling (dark blue with a hint of sparkle) and white Lanett yarn that came from my stash.

#15 OAKLAND/BERKELEY, CA - March 2, 2017
Visiting the Berkeley area and taking a 3-day workshop with Janine Bajus. Yarn was purchased at A Verb For Keeping Warm. It’s dyed by the owner in the shop. Annapurna, limited edition colorway: Cochineal. 80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon. 385 yards/4 oz.

#16 DENVER, CO - June, 2017 - Trip Denver to see friends and go to 3 concerts. The yarn is the colors of the Colorado Rockies baseball team. Luna Grey Fiber Arts, a Colorado company. 100% superwash merino Wool. Purchased at Colorful Yarns in Centennial.

#17 ESTES PARK, CO - June 10, 2017 - Purchased at the Estes Park Wool Market from 2 Guys Yarn Company, a new-to-me yarn company from Illinois. Color: Secretary’s Lipstick, 85% BFL, 25% Donegal Nep.

#18 FORT COLLINS, CO - June 15, 2017 - Road trip to The Loopy Ewe yarn store. The yarn is from a Colorado dyer, Knerd String. This is the first time I’ve seen this yarn. Color: Fired Up, 75% superwash merino, 25% nylon.

#19 LACOMBE, ALBERTA - September 24, 2017 - Trip to Lacombe for the Prairie Fiber Festival. The yarn is from a local dyer, Sea Turtle Fiber Arts on the Ridley Sock base, color: O Canada.

#20 EDMONTON, ALBERTA - October 24, 2017 - Trip to Edmonton to see Roger Waters perform in concert at Rogers Place. While in Edmonton I visited River City Yarns. This yarn is their house brand, Adam & Eve. I was having trouble picking out a color and the clerk pointed out the one that was her favorite, so I went with it. It’s called Red Fox.

#21 DENVER, COLORADO - April 6, 2018 - Purchased at Colorful Yarns in Centennial, CO. The yarn color is “Colorful April” and was dyed specially for the shop as part of their monthly collection by Chasing Rabbits Fiber Co.

#22 DENVER, COLORADO - June 8, 2018 - Purchased at Colorful Yarns in Centennial, CO. The yarn color is “Colorful June” and was dyed specially for the shop as part of their monthly collection by Chasing Rabbits Fiber Co.

#23 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - September 29, 2018 - Purchased at the Knit City event. The yarn is official colorway, dyed exclusively for Knit City, by Lichen and Lace, color “Myrtle”. 80% superwash merino, 20% nylon.

#24 SPRING, TEXAS - October 25, 2018 - Purchased at Twisted Yarns in Spring, TX during a trip to Houston. Yarn was dyed in Spring by a customer in the store, Serendipitous Wool Co. Color: Tangerini in Autumn. Didn’t use the green mini for the block, saving it for a pair of socks.

BORDER - The border will be knit with yarn dyed specifically for my local yarn shop, Willow ‘n’ Wool, by a local dyer, Polka Dot Creek. Color: Willow. ♫ Bringing it all back home ♪