Hello! Our Mysterious Knits book will be published this week. This is the fourth large project I have conceived, developed, managed, and completed without taking any sort of break, and I’ve decided that it is now time to do so. Since Davaar, there has been Colour Compass, Colour at Work and now, finally, Mysterious Knits. All of these projects have been, in their own ways, incredibly demanding, and during this time we have also moved house, while I’ve been dealing with health issues which have, in recent months, become increasingly difficult and pressing. I love my work, and honestly thrive on being productive, but because I’m unwell I just don’t feel like I’m thriving at the moment. So it’s sabbatical time for me! I have cancelled some projects and put others on indefinite hold. Effectively, this means that there will be no new KDD releases for the forseeable. Just knowing that I no longer have to think or worry about the next book, the next project, the next yarn, the next design, the next collection, has taken a massive weight off my shoulders, and I’m very grateful to Tom, Maylin, Claire, KC and Kendall for allowing me some space and time to focus on my health and wellbeing for a while. All of this does not mean I’m disappearing: on the contrary, I imagine that a much more relaxed pace and time for myself will mean that I also have time to write here about what I’m reading, doing, and thinking. And I’m sure that, after a proper break, I will be able to get back to making work next year. And please don’t worry about me – like I say, I feel much better simply for having made this decision. I am truly looking forward to whatever the next few – much, much quieter – months may bring. Thanks for bearing with me.
Kate x
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Dear Kate
Thank you for setting us a good example by caring for yourself. Your wisdom–as always–is inspiring.
Hello Kate, I wanted to write to say a big thank you and to wish you a helpful and (differently) productive sabbatical.A friend introduced me to your knitting/Scotland books a whi
Hello from NYC to you and yours, Kate. I wanted to let you know that my copy of the very beautiful and informative and inspiring Mysterious Knits arrived yesterday. As I daily try to take in what the recent election results over here are going to mean to my country and myself, having your wonderful book really revives my belief in what folks can accomplish, and strengthens my resolve to be part of a solution to a very daunting problem. Best wishes, Frances Oakley xo
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Dear Kate,
Only now I took time to download and look at the book.
As a beautiful composition of all that came to us since April I am really stunned of the depth of information.
And if I look in the last weeks before you took your break I see a mind that tries to go forward at full speed again.
At a certain point it is too much. It is good that you take a break.
All participants of the Summer of Myster still have enough to knit.
And enough to read. You gave enough links in the book and from the reading Club I certainly still have enough links.
Maybe I must stop reading all those detectives.
Maybe first read a book about salt, from John Goodlad.
That came out of my visit to Shetland Wool Week, where my museum visit about boats and net mending was a switch in my thinking about Shetland and Fair Isle.
I hope you will be well soon and that then you will still take a break.
We can wait.
Titia
Titia Meuwese
Best to you, Kate. You remain in our thoughts and hearts. May you be blessed with the peace that you so generously give to others.
Get well soon
Well-deserved break!
Not enough people take a step back for health reasons and make themselves worse. Perhaps you will not only feel better in yourself but inspire your little band of followers to re-assess things too. Best of luck in your recuperation.
Much deserved break enjoy it
Enjoy your time🌺🌺
Sending you wishes for a huge dose of wellness and a happy Yuletide season. I have a queue of your designs to get onto my needles so will be with you in spirit. Take your time and I look forward to a future with you in it when you are ready.
Yes please take all the time you need to stare out the window.
Thanks for your openness Kate and I hope the brake will bring you all your heart desires.Thank you for your wonderful patterns; I have knitted quite a few of them
Glad the weight is off of your shoulders and hope you enjoy the quieter months ahead!
I am glad you are taking care of yourself! And, I am glad that we will continue to hear from you, and get to be part of your community. We all need each other.
You are one amazing lady Kate, I love your designs and often get comments when I wear them. I so enjoy all your books, Handywoman has inspired me to look after my health after some issues and reach for the future. Please take care and be gentle with you.
A well-deserved sabbatical: it’s time for you to recoup your energy. Enjoy winter and spring in your beautiful home and refresh your spirits.
Take care of yourself before anything else! You have given of yourself for so long that yes, you require a break so that you and Tom may enjoy life as a couple. You and he come first. And I will enjoy whatever you are able to share in this space. Without further expectations. Now go put your feet up and have a cup of tea or coffee.
Good that you found the courage to make this decision! Hope you get the rest you need, Kate. We’ll be looking forward to your news. Cheers from Argentina
You’ve made a wise decision, Kate. I marvel at all that you have accomplished and definitely wish you well on now absorbing the benefits of some free time.
Best wishes from NYC!
Wishing you well Kate. I so love reading your posts, knitting your unique patterns and imagining myself (via Tom’s beautiful photographs) somewhere magical away from my desk! Enjoy your well deserved break and I hope your good health returns very, very soon … x
All the very best Kate
Hope you feel better by taking the time you need.
Get well soon Kate! Enjoy a less pressured time. We look forward to hearing from you again when you are well, and I might have time to finish the 3 of your WIPs I have – actually 2 have been ‘in progress’ for so long they’re dormant!
But enjoy your down time and concentrate on getting well
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Take good care of yourself dear creative one. You certainly deserve a break, and I’m so happy you recognize the need for it. Enjoy!
Dear Kate, you a very lovely precious soul. Rest and be well.
Joanna
Good to know you’re making the best choice right now. Your health must be your highest priority. There are loads of us rooting for you. Have a very well-deserved rest.
Rest up Kate. You put so much into your work and it’s time for “you” time.
Enjoy your break.
Health is wealth. Take gentle care!
You have so many lovely designs already! I could knit for several years without running out of your designs that I want to knit! I think the Mystery series has some especially bright stars in it!
You already have so many great designs that I want to knit, that I will be fine while you rest and recuperate.
Bless you, you Gorgeous woman.
You are a beautiful, inspiration gorgeously wonky powerhouse.
Rest well, and deep and sweet
Cheers
Karin
Wishing you well and glad you are taking care of yourself!! I so appreciate your patterns and newsletters.Betsy McCarthySent from my iPhone
Dear Kate, Please look after yourself because I so enjoy you blogs and essays. You write so beautifully. My sister in Portland Oregon also enjoys your writing. She is a freelance journalist .Also please tell young Bob that he has to clean up his act and behave himself like goody four paws Bran. No eating strange things, digging up the flower beds and no unplanned trips to the vets. All the very best and I hope you feel better soon.
Well earned. Great decision! All the best. 🥰
Wishing you a restful break. You have beautiful surroundings to help make this possible.
Kate, in the last year, since I found you, you have thrilled, inspired, and amazed me with your formidable output. I loved the summer of mystery. Your exquisite surroundings have had me longing to ramble with you. My health is not robust. At the moment I’m taking a break from knitting because I can’t even seem to count stitches correctly just now. Sometimes we have to let go of what we thought were essential components of our lives to allow our minds and bodies to rest, recover and refocus. A sabbatical is a marvelous investment in self care and renewal. With your gifted and sensitive Tom, your wonderful dogs and your delightful new home you are surrounded by love and beauty. I can’t imagine a better environment for a well-earned sabbatical. Much love, Jen on the Canadian prairies
Congratulations on making a commitment to make yourself a priority!
Kate you will now be able to do the things you want to do and can enjoy doing , rather than the things that may have been a endless “to do ” list take care.
You do well for yourself !!! Txs for the lovely Allingham KAL ! Feet up an I look forward to your writings here .. enjoy your sabbatical also and get well.
take care..cheers
Take good care of yourself. Refuel your body, your mind and your soul. Chantal
Kate, Sometimes the hardest thing to do is make the decision; in this case, to step back for a while. Congratulations on having made the decision. I have long thought that you tried to do too much. I have enjoyed participating in several KALs, especially the last one, The Summer of Mystery. I own several KDD&CO books and enough yarn to keep me happy for months if not years. Take your rest, and enough time to get your “mojo” back. I wish you and your family (including four-legged) well. I wish you happiness in your new home. I look forward to your active return. Best, Rosemary Newman Seattle, Washington, USA
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Normally I’d say “go girl” but now it’s “slow girl!”
SO pleased you have taken this step for YOURSELF! most important and glad you realized it and have support around you. H U G S!
Two thoughts: First, your health is paramount. Seond, we knitters need time to enjoy making the projects you have shared with us this year before we are presented with more lovely temptation! Godspeed
I’m happy for you that you can step back a little bit and concentrate on your health and well being. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this time.Beat wishes to you.
Lisa S
Having read your blog from the very beginning I have to say your strength has been an inspiration. Your body of work could fill a bookcase, nevermind all the behind-the-scenes stuff going on. It takes an incredibly resilient person to manage all that.
I hope you have a lot of enjoyment recharging your batteries in you beautiful new home.
I wish you a refreshing and healing sabatical!
Good for you Kate, you must look after yourself. No one can pour from an empty cup. Praying you will heal and return refreshed and full of great ideas.
Take care of yourself, Kate! We all enjoy having you in our virtual lives, and wish you the best as you relax and recharge.
Elizabeth
Looking forward to receiving my book. I often worried about how much work you do, I hope everything gets sorted out for you. Even though I have never met you, you feel like a friend. Love and best wishes, Anne. x
Sent from my iPad
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I’m not surprised you are worn out! What a huge amount of effort you have made. I hope you can have a good rest and get your mojo back.You will be missed.
Thank you Kate for your generous writings and Tom’s beautiful photographs. I’ve loved my Mystery Summer and had not met Albert snd friends before this. I hope you enjoy the slower pace of life and soon feel restored.
Kate,
So glad to hear of your decision for yourself. Always good when we actually do listen to our wiser selves, right (I could take a lesson!).
Please take ALL of the time you need to refresh. You have given us so much to explore and to make.
Breathe and bask in all that you have completed so carefully and caringly.
Enjoy the beauty of the days and weeks and months ahead and let this beauty that surrounds you feed you full.
Gratefully,
Jeanne (Chicago, USA)
I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself. This is very important. We all care about you and want you to be well! Much love to you.
Many cheers for your decision. You have provided us all with an abundance of inspiration to sustain our creative souls while you take a much-needed respite to nurture yours.
Great decision Kate! I am glad that you are taking care of yourself and I hope that the sabbatical brings you hope and light. Thank you for providing a great example to all of us who do too much. I hope the boys are a good source of comfort and entertainment.
Take good care of yourself. You matter and you deserve a rest.Sent from my iPhone
I so enjoyed the Summer of Mystery, but would hate to think of my fun at the expense of your well-being. So thank you for taking a rest. I’m glad you feel a sense of a burden lifted.
Hello Kate, You don’t know me, and we’ll probably never meet. I’m writing to offer my support and encouragement for your decision to step away from your work temporarily to focus on your health. Nothing is more important right now.
My husband had a recent health scare, which resulted in a cardiac ablation. He’s okay now, but life has changed for us.
I enjoy your newsletter, and love your designs. I’ve been knitting for 40 years now, and last year decided to become adept at Colorwork. I’ve learned so much and spent many hours during Seattle’s long rainy, dark winters happily knitting away. It’s therapeutic, meditative, creative, and keeps my brain going by learning a new technique with each new pattern. I want to try your Sterntaucher cardigan one day, and recently finished your Peerie Floorers hat, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Attached is a photo.
I wish you all the best, and look forward to hearing from you again. Until then take good care, Amy Gibson Seattle Washington
Just taking a decision is powerful – rest and you will be welcomed back when you are ready.
Well deserved respite. Wishing you peace and rejuvenation. Enjoy that lovely house and garden. ♥️
Health is the most important aspec Kate as without good health you can not function properly and your creative self suffers . We all look forward to your projects and a happy and healthy Kate !
Take time to “ sit back and smell the roses “ – sending best wishes from New Zealand Diane xx
Ich wünsche Ihnen alles Gute und freue mich darauf, wieder von Ihnen zu lesen. Bis dahin eine gute Zeit:
I’m glad to hear you’re focussing on yourself. I participated in the summer of mystery and I was amazed at how much work you folks put into it to make it an enjoyable experience for all of us. I look forward to seeing what recharged puts out in the future
Dearest Kate, do take care of yourself and know that your health, and family, always must come first. Take time to heal, and to rejuvenate your spirit, mind and body. We will be here when you return and with all the beautiful inspiration you have given us, we will keep our needles busy. Hugs ☺️
Look after yourself and take time to enjoy your new house. Love your work and designs Pat Davis
Take care of yourself and enjoy your well-deserved break!
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Well done for prioritising your health and well being! The hugh fun of realising each day you can do what you like, when you like is a great joy. I look forward to going through your archive and knitting with focus and contentment. Take care and I look forward to seeing your ideas in the future. With love and kindness, Maryxx
So pleased to hear that you have made this decision. I was finding it difficult to understand how you could achieve so much – and move house as well. I really enjoyed the mysterious knits club, as did my husband. He does not knit, but we both enjoyed reading the books. I’m really looking forward to the book, and will be making more of the patterns over the winter, so a pause in the new pattern production will be very welcome. It will give me time to catch up.
Above all I hope to can take the time to really enjoy your new location
Thank you for taking care of yourself, your example helps me to make my health a priority as well. I hope a slower, restorative pace is just the ticket!
so glad you will be taking care of yourself. Peace to you.
I’m not at all surprised that you need rest and a peaceful time. Your rate of output over the last couple of years has been outrageous (in a very good way!). It takes a brave person to say, “enough is enough!” I wish you well.
We too have moved house from Galloway to Aberdeen, a big change for two west coast of Scotland people, and it takes mental and physical resilience to adapt to a new environment – however much one knows that the move was a good decision.
Bless you Kate.
I truly hope you rest deeply 🩵Sent from my iPhone
Well, that just gives us all time to catch up on our knitting projects. You’ve left plenty for us to do so take it easy. Rest, read, walk those dogs. We moved house on 15 December. I think people completely underestimate how much it takes out of you and how long it takes to get straight
Kate, I think that is a very intelligent and wise decision! We must listen to what our bodies tell us to live in health. Please rest, relax, remove all pressure from your everyday life and come back only when it feels right to you…😘
May your sabbatical provide many blessings.
A well deserved break!!! Thank you for all of the joy and thoughtfulness you have brought to us and I wish you much rejuvenation and repair time!
Well done for being brave, recognising what you need and making it happen. I hope the next chapter brings more time to slowly enjoy your gorgeous part of Scotland as well as that beautiful garden of yours. A sabbatical – how exciting!- may it be your gentlest and most relaxing adventure yet. Wishing you all the very best.
enjoy the time out. It’s very well deserved. You are an inspiration and your work is amazing. Thank you for all of it. Rest, relax and recharge in your new home.
So glad you are taking this time for yourself….we will be here for you whenever it is time….Sent from my iPad
Your creativity is so much a part of who you are that anything you do to protect your health and wellbeing will also help that flourish. I look forward to future Kate Davies amazing ideas and projects.,In the meantime thank you for all the past wonderful designs,projects ,and life sharing. If anyone deserves a health break it’s you. I will imagine you on a long,beautiful west coast beach. ..<3
A wise choice. And a good example as well. Thank you for sharing your creativity and giving your encouragement. It means more than can be expressed.
Take care of yourself and we will follow.
Dear Kate, that is a good decision to take for yourself. Relax, enjoy the season with your loved ones, take your time and take care ❤️🩹
You deserve to take a break and enjoy your new home and surroundings. We all need to take a step back every now and then and the first step is recognising this. Take care. X
Kate – thank you for taking the time to look after yourself. I am sending you well-wishes from the wet west coast of Canada. I have so enjoyed your prodigious output and look forward to a more relaxed pace while you heal and focus on yourself and your loved ones. Take good care – there’s only one of you. You’re a very precious person.
Dear Kate, your creativity over the last years was amazing. It is great that you press pause and please be proud of what you have achieved and provided to us. Self care is important and to be so transparent about is great. Thank you for being a role model here. All the best.
Take good care of your good, creative self dear Kate. What will be best for you will benefit us all……..thank you for letting us know. Rest and enjoy…….sallie
Sallie Macintosh 207.703.0590 Music is Magic Fund https://shawbrothersmusicmagic.com/
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Prenez bien soin de vous et à très bientôt pour de nouvelles oeuvres magnifiques et colorées.
Bises anisées
Dear Kate, take your time. We can wait. Kiss.
Kate, you are such a light of thoughtfulness and creativity in our world. Please do take good care of yourself, you certainly deserve it. Thank you for everything you do!
Blessings on your healing time. You are smart to do this!
Winter is always a difficult time. Enjoy your beautiful home and countryside. Do whatever is needed for rest and relaxation.
Enjoy making time for you, Tom, the dogs and your beautiful new home.
You thoroughly deserve some time out xx
Wishing you and yours all the very best x
Hi Kate,
that’s very wise -my husband and I are now both retired from nursing and having a great time without nights etc- enjoy! Karen x
Kate, I so admire your talent, your passion for creative work and your ability to make life decisions which support your health. I understand your well-considered plan to step back for a sabbatical and to take time to nurture yourself. Thank you for bringing us in on your decision so that we can love and support you from afar. And if you can write from time to time, we will be grateful and sustained. I am holding you in my heart. Sally from Ann Arbor
take the time for a well-deserved break. Your physical and mental health are most important. We will be here when you are reinvigorated.
Have a good long recuperative break – you have certainly earned it, doing all that and moving house as well!
❤️
Wishing you well .
Your work is so brilliant and prolific, and such creativity demands so much of you. I hope you can do, and more importantly, not do what you need, for as long as it takes to ‘fill the well’. Meanwhile we have plenty of planned KDD projects to catch up on. Wishing you a peaceful and healing sabbatical.
Choosing your wellbeing before others is the right thing to do and perfectly comprehensible. Hope all will get better soon for you. Take care of yourself and do not worry about us, knitters. By taking time off, you are allowing us to take our time to finish our knitting projects and the ones we are looking forward to make. We will not have to worry about hurrying up or stressing about your new knitting patterns coming out. We will be able to take some time off too. See, it is a win win situation ☺️😍🙏
so sorry to hear you are unwell. Time to relax, take care of yourself and let others help you. All the best for a lovely Xmas and peaceful New Year.
perfect time of year to go inwards and be quiet. Enjoy a mini hibernation. Everything to its season
Enjoy your time off!
Well Kate, no-one can say you haven’t given us enough to keep our needles busy and our minds inspired for quite some time to come…. sending you good wishes for a healing and restorative break.
Well done lovely lady, that’s exactly what you should be doing. Have a good rest x
Look after yourself Kate. You are an inspiration to many of us but now is the time to be selfish and prioritise your health. I look forward to hearing from you in due course but meanwhile feet up! X