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Saturday, January 30, 2010

I Already Gave In!


Wow, my yarn fast didn't last very long, to say the least, but I DO have a very good reason for caving in on my New Year's resolution. As I mentioned in my previous post, my wonderful local yarn shop closed it's doors on Wednesday, January 27 and I made it a point to stop in on Tuesday, the 26th, to say my goodbyes. Jackie was having a 50 % off sale and there were 2 yarns I just couldn't resist at that price. One was Cascade 220 superwash and the other Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. I do have many projects lined up for my little grandchildren, all of whom deserve the best, so between that justification and wanting to give Jackie just one more sale, I caved in, but I promised myself and now I'm promising my readers, that was it....NO MORE.

I completed Anna's socks but I'm amazed by the color flow of this yarn. I attempted to begin the second sock around the same place in the color as the first sock, but it turned out completely different (and I do mean completely, as you can readily see) from the first one. The good news is that my sweet Anna won't give a hoot whether or not they match as long as they fit her and keep her tootsies warm and toasty. I can't wait to see her smiles as she flashes one adorable dimple and that makes any knitting I do worth every moment I spend doing it.

I've also begun a Christmas stocking using Jamieson & Smith jumperweight wool for the very first time. I'm used to knitting stockings with acrylics or wool blends in worsted weight. This is a sport weight, I think, at least that's what it feels like to me, but one thing I've noticed after only 5 rows is that using a thinner yarn makes it much easier to do the color stranding necessary. I think I'm going to rip it out and begin again though because the top is rolling under with a vengeance so I think maybe I do an inch or so of stockinette stitch and end with a purl row and then tack it under and then begin my colorwork. When there is enough progress to show you, I will take a picture and post it here. I'm using Meg Swansen's pattern, Eli's Stocking, from Schoolhouse Press .

I think I'll be starting another ripple baby blanket for my youngest's baby due in early July. I already crocheted one using multi-colored yarn but it's more suited to a girl, so to be on the safe side, I'm crocheting this one using baby blue and white Encore yarn which is 75% acrylic and 25% wool and can be thrown in the washer, etc. which I know the new parents to be will like.


Saturday, January 02, 2010

A Brand New Year

It's official....2010 is here already! I'm continually amazed by the speed of one year to the next and I've been trying to become more aware of living in the moment and enjoying all the moments as they present themselves because who knows what time and fate may have in store. I think that we've all become so results oriented that we rush through each day never savoring the little things that happen which wind up meaning so much. Even as I type this post, I find myself thinking in my old familiar pattern of 'what I need to do when I'm finished' instead of what I'm doing right here and now. Staying constantly busy and multitasking is highly valued in our country and although there is a time and place for it, it shouldn't be our primary way of thinking, at least not as far as I'm concerned. However, habits are hard to break and need constant attention and vigilance to break their hold on you. I"m going to try my very best in this new year to live in the moment and only in that particular moment without thinking ahead.........how much I've missed always thinking that way, so I'm on to a new awareness.

Now, here are two sweetie pies who REALLY know how to enjoy each and every moment to the fullest as they sun themselves and love every minute of it. :)

On the knitting front, I have decided to go on a total yarn fast for the entire year and see how well I do. Yes, you read it right.....I'm buying NO more yarn this year (I'm knitting, just not purchasing) as I do not need one more skein of anything in order to knit all year long solely from my stash. I have begun a pair of Lorna's Laces socks for my 3 year old granddaughter, Anna and hope to start a sweater for my grandson, Johnathan soon after. I'm not sure which yarn I'll choose from my ample stash but I have many choices.

On Ravelry there is a post called ''Going Cold Sheep'' which addresses resisting the urge to buy even more yarn. So many fellow Ravelers have responded that they would love to give it a try for this year, and while we all have good intentions, we'll have to wait and see if we can resist. I just can't justify anymore yarn purchases and since my wonderful local yarn shop is closing it's doors the end of this month (boo-hoo), it will be easier for me to stick to this. I will miss the owner, Jackie, though, who is such a great person with a wonderful personality. I wish her much happiness and good fortune in the future, which reminds me to wish each of you, dear readers, every joy, health, and happiness in our new year, 2010!