Violets by the River Shawl and Barcelona, Revisited--Chapter 1

Unfortunately, I didn't keep up with my posts while in Barcelona, Spain and Paris, France. But, I did keep up with my knitting!! In a previous post I explained that while living in Barcelona during 2004-05 I made myself a Violets by the River Shawl, designed by Hazel Carter in honor of the State of Wisconsin, my home state. I made the shawl in Barcelona, while sipping coffee, beer, wine, "cava", etc., sitting in the park near our apartment. I loved every stitch of that shawl because, although I adored Barcelona, I longed for my home state.
Then, disaster struck. I lovingly blocked and used the shawl here in the U.S. And I lost it!!! So, I resolved to re-make the shawl while visiting Barcelona this summer.

Above is proof that I worked on the shawl in Barcelona. The photo shows the shawl at a sidewalk cafe, a Palestinian cuisine cafe in Barcelona.

And, here is the shawl evesdropping on a couple enjoying a little conversation at the cafe. I didn't catch what they were saying, but I'm sure the shawl did!

And, here is the shawl with my tabouli, cafe con leche and water, quietly sitting in the background while I focused my attention on food for the body, rather than food for the soul.

We had a great time in Barcelona and Paris, as you may have gathered from my picture-less posts. Over the next few days, I will post some photos of Barcelona and the growing shawl as well as some photos from Paris.

First, however, let me add to your list of yarn shops that you will definitely want to visit if you ever get to Barcelona. One of the knitting group members from Barcelona Knits just opened a new shop called Persones Llanes on, get this, the Plaza de Lana (or, Wool/Yarn Place)!!! How cool is that??? And, here is a photo of the little shop that is soon to be overflowing with yarn and classes.