A Knitter's Day Off
(this is a rather lengthy post)
Every knitter needs a day off for something fun and different. So I had my day on WWKIP Day. I went to my favorite smelling place other than a bakery. DH and I packed up some important items as well as my current project and headed for the outer banks of North Carolina. We make this trek once a year and I always look forward to the postcard notifying us it's time for the trip. Here is where I do look forward to going.
Yup, it's the Harbinger Lavender Farm in Harbinger, North Carolina. For the last three years the second Saturday in June they open up the fields with anyone who wants to cut their own fresh lavender. Since we have gone before we know that you should bring a pair of nice sharp scissors and a hand full of rubber bands. If I remember correctly there are around 2, 000 plants in the field that covers about 2 acres. It's so colorful and you just can't get a good enough picture! It's pretty and fragrant at the same time. When you look at the field you can actually see it shaking. The shaking is caused from all the different kinds of bees there to collect pollen. No, they don't bother you while cut the lavender. 
I would say though, if you are allergic, you probably should purchase the pre-cut lavender they have for sale. The bundles cost $8 each and they are well worth the money whether you pick it or buy the pre-done bundles.
Can you see the bees in flight. I tried a million times to catch one still but it's nearly impossible because they are so busy collecting pollen.
Here is my favorite picker with the start of a bundle in his hands. He is very patient about cutting just the right stem of lavender.
Once you pick the lavender you can do lots with it. You can dry it...
This was taken on the inside of the Lavender store at the farm. Or you can do this with it...
Here is the beginning of a lavender wand. You can find the instructions on the Internet. The main thing is you have to use an odd number of stems and it needs to be very bendable. Once the lavender dries on the stem, it's pretty much over to make a wand. When it's done it should look like this...
This is a completed wand. DH made this. He is far better at this than I am! I made one and he has done two. My stems have dried too much to make me one but there will always be next year.
Every knitter needs a day off for something fun and different. So I had my day on WWKIP Day. I went to my favorite smelling place other than a bakery. DH and I packed up some important items as well as my current project and headed for the outer banks of North Carolina. We make this trek once a year and I always look forward to the postcard notifying us it's time for the trip. Here is where I do look forward to going.
Yup, it's the Harbinger Lavender Farm in Harbinger, North Carolina. For the last three years the second Saturday in June they open up the fields with anyone who wants to cut their own fresh lavender. Since we have gone before we know that you should bring a pair of nice sharp scissors and a hand full of rubber bands. If I remember correctly there are around 2, 000 plants in the field that covers about 2 acres. It's so colorful and you just can't get a good enough picture! It's pretty and fragrant at the same time. When you look at the field you can actually see it shaking. The shaking is caused from all the different kinds of bees there to collect pollen. No, they don't bother you while cut the lavender. 
I would say though, if you are allergic, you probably should purchase the pre-cut lavender they have for sale. The bundles cost $8 each and they are well worth the money whether you pick it or buy the pre-done bundles.Can you see the bees in flight. I tried a million times to catch one still but it's nearly impossible because they are so busy collecting pollen.
Here is my favorite picker with the start of a bundle in his hands. He is very patient about cutting just the right stem of lavender.
Once you pick the lavender you can do lots with it. You can dry it...
This was taken on the inside of the Lavender store at the farm. Or you can do this with it...
Here is the beginning of a lavender wand. You can find the instructions on the Internet. The main thing is you have to use an odd number of stems and it needs to be very bendable. Once the lavender dries on the stem, it's pretty much over to make a wand. When it's done it should look like this...
This is a completed wand. DH made this. He is far better at this than I am! I made one and he has done two. My stems have dried too much to make me one but there will always be next year. Not only was there lavender related shopping items, they had a few vendors and then there was the shopping shack with tons of lavender related items. I did make a purchase that I thought was a must if I was going to have lavender in my yard...
If you have a chance to visit a place like Harbingers near you, take the time to stop and smell the lavender! It's fabulous.
8 comments:
That looks like such a neat place to visit! I love the lavender wand.
The wand is usually put in the underwear drawer but I put them in my wool to keep bugs away and it makes my wool smell good. I will dry some for sachets for Christmas gifts.
Oh my goodness- the lavender wand is GORGEOUS! Your DH does a fantastic job on those!
I have a good friend who gives me lavender to dry every year.. it is so wonderful to sew little sachets to put it in as gifts!
DH just showed me up on the wand. I made one and he has done two. He is so much better at it than I am. I can knit and crochet but for some reason, I am really lousy at this! Guess that means I will never be a canidate for weaving any time soon!! lol! I have four bundles for drying and planted two more lavender plants this year. Next year I should have even more to dry! I gave some to a friend and she made soap and then sold it to other knitters/crocheters. Great stuff all the way 'round!
Beautiful! I have some lavender in my yard and would like to make one of these wands. What a great idea!
Shannon, I went to Michaels and bought satin ribbon for 50 cents a roll and you use about three yards of the roll. It takes more than 30 minutes to make one and a lot of patience! You can find the directions on the internet.
sounds like a great trip Vickie! Your DH made a beautiful lavender wand.
I always have such a good time when we go. I feel like such a failure at the wand thing. So I get DH to make them for me. Idle hands! lol!
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