Heritage Gardens in Sandwich, Mass is a must stop. A picture perfect day certainly didn't hurt the visit, although it wasn't quite as serene as it looks....
an outdoor kiddie concert drew hundreds of preschoolers.
Luckily, they had no interest in...
The gardens were more than worth the price of admission, but this special exhibit simply put the whole day over the top. I'm sort of a Wyeth...Andrew, that is...groupie. (Can't really warm up to N.C. or Jamie so much.) We saw a similar exhibit of the three generations of Wyeths in Rockland, ME a few years ago. This one was smaller, but loved it just the same. And the best part was that we had no idea until we rounded the special exhibit hall that it was even here. Happy day.
The permanent collection museum even had...
sheep (weathervane)...
and
a knitter.
We were then off to Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II, where we spent half the time but twice the admission price.
and the best for last....
look at his hand knit stockings (which he insisted were NOT hot, but protected him from the scorching sun) and the garter-stitch garters that are holding them up. Garter stitch...extremely elastic and perfect for garters! Is this where the name came from? Never gave it a lick of thought before, and on a quick flip through a couple knitting history books I have, couldn't find reference to it. Anyone know?
This rated a souvenir.
So excited to see the pictures of Plimoth Plantation. I will be sharing them with my knitting group, which just happens to meet at the Plantation for the purpose of supplying the interpretors witht the knitted stockings, hats, gloves, mittens, etc. They are carefully knit from patterns developed from 17th century garments (sometimes mere fragments). We use the same yarn you purchased, and feel very proud of the work we do!
Posted by: Colleen Anderson | 08/02/2015 at 11:47 AM
Fascinating to see those pictures of the old thatched houses at Plimoth (feels like home). And the gardens at Heritage... wow (not like home).
Posted by: rusty duck | 08/02/2015 at 01:16 PM
ooh this looks amazing what a great place to visit. I must now find out all about the Wyeths. Interesting thought about the garters...worth some research too...so much food for thought here. Thanks for sharing you day,
Dx
Posted by: Debby | 08/02/2015 at 01:36 PM
Thank you for sharing that fun tour with us. The Plimoth Plantation looks so fantastic. Even though I know what a hard life it was, I still look at those pictures and dream of living and knitting back then.
Love that picture of a knitter.
Excellent souvenir.
Posted by: Andi | 08/02/2015 at 02:15 PM
oh geez, now I too want to know if that's how the garter stitch got it's name! argh ... I need to find out :-)
Posted by: DIane | 08/02/2015 at 07:47 PM
Hi. I have spent the last couple of days reading your entire archive and enjoying every stitch/minute of it. Thank you!
Posted by: Ellen | 08/02/2015 at 08:00 PM
What a great detour. I have never been past Va, but one day I will make it North and would love to see this in person.
Posted by: Tracey | 08/02/2015 at 08:01 PM
Beautiful, amazing pictures of your tour. Loved the history and the flowers the most! Thank you for posting.
Posted by: Darlene | 08/02/2015 at 09:02 PM
Beautiful pics! I would almost certainly agree that garter stitch comes from the knitted fabric used for garters. See this definition of garter and it all fits! http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/garter
Thanks for a great post!
x
Posted by: Laura | 08/02/2015 at 11:22 PM
Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing.
As for the Garter stitch, I'm obsessed too now. If I find anything, I'll come back and share.
Posted by: DKnits | 08/03/2015 at 05:10 AM
hmmm, I'm going to look up where this is and maybe go as well. We visit my son in the fall and I hope this is near enough to warrant a trip!! If not in the fall then next spring. I love how green everything is!!
Posted by: karen | 08/03/2015 at 08:50 AM
I have read that the garter stitch is indeed, named for the garters that hold the stockings up. And, appropriately, the stockinette stitch is named for the stitch that is used for the stockings themselves! Don't you just love logical reasons for names?! Great post!
Posted by: Jan Doss | 08/03/2015 at 01:25 PM
This is soo cool! I want to go. I've never been to Mass before, but I would definitely be able to wander around there.
I love the sites you captured and shared for us with your knitter's eye. hehe. I hope you got more than one souvenir!
Posted by: ellen | 08/03/2015 at 05:38 PM
Well I never about the garter stitch! Shows what you can learn doesn't it. Looks as though you had a great day out! xx
Posted by: Amy at love made my home | 08/04/2015 at 02:12 AM
So it's Plimoth, not Plymouth? I know, spelling was variable.
I'm quite jealous of your trip. There is so much history in Massachusetts and I love history.
Posted by: Caffeine Girl | 08/04/2015 at 08:37 AM
HUH! I never considered that garter stitch may have gotten its name based on its use. Sounds reasonable to me! The gardens look beautiful!
Posted by: Michelle | 08/04/2015 at 12:04 PM