portugal – Knit+ Librarian

brown yarn on knitting needles with yarn ball in upper left corner and pattern creating background

handknit cowl in light brown wool on cream colored marble background

While Manchego sheep featured prominently in part 2 of my virtual tour of Spain and Portugal, cheese rather than wool was my initial introduction to this breed of sheep. I first tasted Manchego cheese years ago when hosting an annual wine and cheese fundraiser with friends. With its buttery, slightly tangy flavor, it paired nicely with a robust red wine. We always designed our menus around 5-6 wines (sweet to dry) that were available without special orders to a vineyard, as well a selection of individually prepared hors d’oeuvres and less common cheeses.

This time, rather than the edible byproduct of this Spanish sheep, the Purls on the Promenade cowl is a blend of Manchego and Merino wool purchased from The Woolly Thistle. This latest design from Marie Greene features a mix of knit and purl stitches that create a subtle wavy design. As I began knitting with this rustic yarn, I was a little worried that the final product might be rough or scratchy around the neck but after a good soak and blocking, the design pops and this cowl is soft to the touch just in time for chilly fall temperatures.

Happy Knitting!

Spanish windmills along a hilltop with vibrant blue sky

And I am off (virtually) to the Iberian Peninsula to I explore Spain and Portugal with The Wooly Thistle Armchair Travels. Without needing a passport, enduring cramped overseas flights, or wondering if US Customs will allow this liberal Midwesterner re-entry to the USA, I will traverse hillsides with Merino and Manchega sheep flocks and their shepherds, visit woolen mills, and learn about designs, techniques, and fiber traditions unique to that corner of the globe. Barcelona has long been on my bucket list, so this blends nicely despite my lack of Spanish or Portuguese.

This virtual learning experience is a continuing adaptation that began with the pandemic and Richard’s Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis. While my initial retirement plans had included an annual international knitting tour, the 2020 Copenhagen & Faroe Islands tour and Rowan Tree Travel and Fibercraft’s Wool & Whisky in 2021 were canceled due to the worldwide lockdown. Instead, I discovered online alternatives – from the Strickmich Club with Martina Behm whose shop is in Damsdorf, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany to French knitting designer, Solène Le Roux, whom I worked with when she lived in Paris and followed her move to creating a retreat center at the Château de Parançay in southwest France.

For five years, 2020-2024, I participated in Knit Camp at the Coast with Marie Greene and enjoyed the Pacific Northwest from the comfort of Minnesota. Her Zoom-based retreat offered technical instructions, theme related recipes, knitting accessories, and (of course) yarn. I missed 2025 while we were in the midst of our move from First Street to Solstice Place but I am looking forward to a re-envisioned Knit Camp experience this August.

What started in 2009 as a spiritual support project knitting prayer shawls, has evolved into daily practice with a wealth of learning experiences, camaraderie with fellow knitters, and even travel without leaving home. As I continue exploring knitting with my fellow Knit Campers and now joining New Hampshire’s The Wooly Thistle Armchair Travels, I hope to keep my fingers nimble and my neuro-pathways flexible.

¡Bienvenidos! Bem-vindos!

Photo credit: The Wooly Thistle