How Country Living Wove Its Way into My Practical Knitting Adventures
Life in the countryside isn’t just about picturesque landscapes; it’s also about how my knitting needles have adapted to thrive in the great outdoors. Let’s unravel the influence that knitting in the sticks (yes, pun intended 😉) has had on my own crafting adventures.
![](https://i0.wp.com/purlsandpixels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8533-Edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=700%2C933&ssl=1)
Spinning a Yarn: Just Me, the Mountains, and the Trees
Let me tell you the tale of how my knitting has evolved since I moved back to my small, Colorado hometown. With less than 2000 people in town and lots of State and National Forest to wander around, I meet more deer and turkeys than I do people. And, thank goodness for the space! Nature and country-living have, without a doubt, inspired my knits.
![Wild turkey in the pinon forest photo by Liz Chandler @PurlsAnd Pixels. All Rights Reserved.](https://i0.wp.com/purlsandpixels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/C1580FAF-AD3B-4A44-94CF-122CF69B703D2021-06-12_10-39-44_420-Edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=700%2C1050&ssl=1)
Yarn Adventures: Nature’s Color Palette
Living in the boonies means my yarn choices are a bit like picking berries – I go for the richest hues, found right outside my door. Whether it’s the muddy browns after a rainy day, the vibrant greens dancing in the trees, or the blue hues of the Rocky Mountain sky, my yarn basket mimics the countryside’s color spectrum.
![Knitting in the sticks photo by Liz Chandler @PurlsAnd Pixels. All Rights Reserved.](https://i0.wp.com/purlsandpixels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_9445_V2F_2021-06-29_11-42-46_233-Edited-scaled.jpeg?resize=700%2C1050&ssl=1)
Weather-Proof Knits: Seasons Got Style
Surviving the rural Colorado climate means knitting for all seasons. When winter hits, I’m like a knitting bear in hibernation, creating thick, cozy accessories that could keep a snowman toasty. Come spring, my knitting switches to “practical mode” with functional home goods, like hand towels and washcloths.
![Knitting in the Sticks by Liz Chandler @PurlsAnd Pixels. All Rights Reserved.](https://i0.wp.com/purlsandpixels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/B07ECD70-FFF7-4A3E-BEA5-1A8D5011A83D.png?resize=700%2C468&ssl=1)
Rural living also means limited choices. When the nearest mall is two hours away, fashion trends tend to fall behind. (We were still wearing those low-rise hip-hugging jeans well into the 2010s 🤫). That’s why I stick with classic, minimalist knitting designs that can survive changes in trends.
Farmyard Fiber Finds: Local Yarn Heroes
Let’s talk sheepish secrets! Living near farms means I’ve got access to some real woolly wonders. I snag local sheep’s fleece and alpaca wool fibers whenever I can. Craft fairs, art shows, and small-town festivals are filled with hidden fuzzy-gems. And trust me, these local fibers know how to keep you warm!
![Fluffy Alpaca photo by Liz Chandler @PurlsAnd Pixels. All Rights Reserved.](https://i0.wp.com/purlsandpixels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/0D42B576-E8B5-48C1-B4F9-849153B12CB4alpaca.jpeg?resize=700%2C700&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/purlsandpixels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/local-alpaca-yarn.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1)
Practical Patterns: Hardworking Hobbies
I’ve mastered rural traditions in knitting that are as practical as a good ol’ farmer’s handshake. Classic stitches and Fair Isle designs – they aren’t just pretty; they’re like the Swiss Army knives of knitting, ready for anything mountain life throws my way.
Tranquility: Peace Amidst the Pines and Purls
Here in my forest, a countryside symphony of chirping birds calm and entertain. As I weave together a new knitting project, songbirds whistle and hawks screech. Woodpeckers drum, while ravens provide a throaty chortle. Little Steller’s Jays mimic the other’s songs. The opus echoes down my little canyon when they awake. It’s the best sound therapy I can think of: simply soaking in the tranquility of the piñon forest.
![Red Tailed Hawk Colorado Skies photo by Liz Chandler @PurlsAnd Pixels. All Rights Reserved.](https://i0.wp.com/purlsandpixels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_036720Edited-Edited-1.jpeg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Songbirds in the oak brush photo by Liz Chandler @PurlsAnd Pixels. All Rights Reserved.](https://i0.wp.com/purlsandpixels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/8B8E2D16-1A81-480C-8672-C7E050643D60IMG_3098-Edited-683x1024.jpeg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Steller's Jay in front of a Full Moon photo by Liz Chandler @PurlsAnd Pixels. All Rights Reserved.](https://i0.wp.com/purlsandpixels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/E3175751-1A78-43C8-AD2E-CAB4977BA7DB-Edited-683x1024.jpeg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
Knitting in the Sticks
Living in the sticks has added a practical twist to my knitting endeavors. From yarn hues inspired by nature’s whimsy to patterns that could handle a rural rodeo, my knitting journey is a playful dance with the practical, backwoods charm. So, here’s to needles clicking, sheep frolicking, and country living inspiring every purl and knit in my stash!
![Knitting in the sticks photo by Liz Chandler @PurlsAnd Pixels. All Rights Reserved.](https://i0.wp.com/purlsandpixels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/18F62643-7678-4A15-AB26-121C50A4A4DA2020-09-05_14-44-39_595202020-09-13T16_50_11.113-Edited-683x1024.jpeg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Knitting in the Sticks: Colorado Knitting inspiration, photo by Liz Chandler @PurlsAnd Pixels. All Rights Reserved.](https://i0.wp.com/purlsandpixels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7682-Edited-768x1024.jpeg?resize=700%2C933&ssl=1)