January in northern climes is not for the faint of heart. The often brutal weather weeds out those who must be outdoors for work or to care for livestock from folks who batten down the hatches and wait for spring. As a bit of both are in my own DNA, during winter photo shoots the cutting edge of winter’s cold makes anticipation of reading and knitting (and being warm) at day’s end all the more alluring.
After a particular blasting cold day combined with an exposed neck, the decision was made Рknit a new scarf that would fit easily in a camera bag and be there when needed. Choices to replicate a favorite well-worn (and now somewhat battered) scarf: Kid mohair which compresses to nearly weightless Рor a favorite Рcurly mohair boucl̩. Choosing the ecru boucl̩ meant a new version could be knit up in a flash (see below for a fiber comparison between the three).
During holiday get-togethers question were raise from knitters and non-knitters as to what the differences are between a Pashmina scarf (a gift purchased in Paris from a returning college student), mohair, muskox fiber, and how kid mohair differs from regular mohair. 
A quest for learning more about fine fiber led to a road trip visit on a working farm (more than 150 goats and sheep) in upstate New York – on one of the coldest days this winter. Story and details, next up.
Fire and Ice
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
– Robert Frost
