Tag Archives: playing with yarn

Knitting (for Me)

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I’m a knitter. Sure, I’ve been a little less prolific the past year or two, but I still always have something on the go. But I don’t think I’ve knit myself anything for, well, over a year. Probably closer to two.

That’s outrageous!

That’s unacceptable!

That’s being fixed!

Introducing a handspun Shalom all for me!

I’m hoping to be able to finish it before the end of this pregnancy because it would be the perfect pregnancy sweater. Bulky wool but without sleeves would keep my prone-to-overheating pregnant self from doing just that. It being a cardigan means that it could, easily, accommodate my rather robust midsection. But, if it doesn’t happen, well, it will be the perfect piece of transitional warm on cool spring days and I’m sure I’ll be just tickled to pull it out again in the fall.

For now, I’m just enjoying working on it during mealtimes with Ewan. As he’s started to talk, mealtimes have started to approach epic-lengths. Today’s lunch, for example, took about 45 minutes for him to finish a small bowl of noodles and a quarter of an apple. He’s just too busy talking, chatting, telling me all the wonderful things going through his head. “Mama, noodle, mmmmmm.” “Napkin lap.” “Mama big water. Ewie small water.” And, that’s ok, because I’m knitting. I’m knitting a sweater for me! Take all the time you need, little man.

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Bring on Winter

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While it isn’t, officially, winter yet it may as well be. December 1st and snow, albeit light flurries, are falling outside my window. The temperatures have dropped below freezing, I have finally given in to the fact that the heater has to be on, all.day.long. And the winter issue of Rhythm of the Home is out. It does seem to be winter, after all. Bring it on.

One of the coolest things (get it, cool, ha!) about the winter issue is that, again, I am featured among the contributors. As it has been in the past, it is a true honor to be a part of a part of such a talented bunch.

This time I have a pair of knit legwarmers to share. The super cool thing about this pattern, well, you can use any yarn you have, knit in any gauge you want, and make them any size you choose. All you have to do is a few, mostly simple, calculations. Be not afraid of the math.

The stitch has a simple texture but it serves to give the legwarmers a bit more structure and a bit more warmth. Definitely what we’re all going to be needing right about now.

So, go check it out. And while you’re there, check out some of the other cool things as well. It’s a good issue!

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Need It Knitting

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There was a time when I knit solely for pleasure. If I saw an interesting yarn, I bought it. If I happened upon a fun pattern, I made it. Sure the final product was, generally, useful, but that certainly wasn’t the goal at the outset. Now that my knitting time is a bit more limited, I’m finding that I’m doing a lot more need-based knitting.

Cold Hands.

Make Mittens. Wee little thumb-less mittens with big long cuffs. I’m hoping they stay on.

Cold head.

Make a balaclava. Out of fine, sock-weight, wool to slip under the hubs helmet. He cycles to work, year-round, and this is something he’s been waiting for.

Cold feet.

Make slippers. Warm, wooly felted slippers. Just for me, just for kicking around the house.

But, you see, with this need-it knitting there is very little advance planning. I see a need, I dive in the stash, I start knitting. There are no gauge swatches, no pattern finding. And, therefore, there are a few more mistakes than usual. But, that’s the thing. With need-it knitting you don’t really care about the aesthetics of the finished product, so long as it is useful.

So what if the slippers are twice the size of my feet, even after more than a dozen trips through the washer and dryer?! They keep my feet warm. Done and done!

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On The List

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I am a lister. Each morning my day starts with a pen and paper in hand. Writing down my vision, of sorts, for the day. Things that I need to accomplish. Things that I want to accomplish.

I keep it short, no more than a handful of things and, for the most part, I’m pretty faithful about it. What needs to get done, gets done.

But lately I’ve been feeling like I could use a little reminder, a reminder to take a breath and do something that really makes me feel good. Something that makes me feel productive and creative and fulfilled.

So, it went on the list.

Right there under the dinner plans and hanging laundry it is. Make something. Just the reminder I needed.

Today I made two somethings. First, a Christmas present (yes! i’ve finished something for christmas!) that I can’t talk about here. The second isn’t so much finished yet, but considerable progress was made. I finished the body of Ewan’s Christmas sweater. His gift to wear.

The big whack of brown, bulky garter stitch sort of evades (good) photography, but there it is. I’m knitting him a hoodie, based on this pattern, though I’ve had to do all the maths myself to size it up. I think it’ll be worth it and, for now, I’m enjoying knit stitch after knit stitch.

That little reminder, make something, on my list each day has really helped me feel entitled to take that bit of time for myself to fuel my days. Tell me, what is it that should be added to your to-do list?

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Little Letterman

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Just a quick pop-in on borrowed, ahem, internet. We’ve moved, we’re getting settled, but due to some unfortunate miscommunications we are without our own internet.

I just wanted to send you on over to Petite Purls to check out my cute little guy.

Oh, and that sweater, I made it. And now, you can too. The pattern’s right over here!

It’s a heavy wool coat, perfect for waiting for the school bus as the temperatures turn or romping in some leaves.

Whatever you do, don’t try to get your little one to wear this (and smile) when it is 90+ degrees outside like I did. A deadline loomed and we were smack in the middle of a heat wave. Ewan cooperated, for awhile, but after a few pictures were snapped, he had had enough! See?

I’m sure he’ll like it more this fall, and I hope your little one does too! Enjoy!

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