Say hello to my little friend

Some of you may not know this, but there has been an emptiness, a longing really, to find myself a new best friend. Sure there have been many promising inquires but something was always missing. Until now. That's right. I've met someone. Not just anyone either. I've met that special someone. That person who is there for you when you need them the most. That person who understands you, doesn't judge the mess you've gotten yourself into and will help you out at a moments notice. And after the week I've had I can tell this is going to be a long and fairly onesided friendship...........

So much fabric, so little ability

Okay, so I'm still a novice but I ask you, who can pass up an amazing sale on normally really expensive fabric? Apparently not me. But I don't care because I don't have one ounce of buyers remorse. And I have plans, BIG plans. The fabric on your left will be turned into the following items in the not so distant future: a bag, an apron, a baby blanket, a dress, a casserole carrier and anything else my heart desires. Which means my family better get used to wearing dirty clothes and eating out.

The new plan

Last night I was sitting in bed trying to reach my goal of knitting four rows a day before midnight when I looked over at Daniel. He was laying beside me, quietly watching me and occasionally yawning. It occurred to me then that maybe he finds knitting as relaxing as I do and maybe that's what has been missing. All this time I was reading books and endlessly pacing the floor when all I really needed to do was teach him how to knit. It looks like sometime today we will be heading over to the craft store to pick out his first set of yarn and needles. On an unrelated note it looks like I will be purchasing a new ironing board sometime in the near future. I had used ours one night in the family room so that I could work while I watched a movie and I left it out overnight. Eli woke up the next day and decided it would be fun to sit on it. I know they are not meant to withstand that kind of weight but you would think it could have put up at least a little fight. I was able to bend some of it back but it is still crooked and tends to tip over when you use it. Ugh. Is there some rule that says if you replace your ironing board you can also buy a new iron? Because there is one that I really want.........

Tuesday Night Knitting

Here I am on a Tuesday night, moments away from the beginning of our knitting group writing a post. Why? Because I had this picture and felt that I needed a post to go along with it. This is my knitting group - I say "my" because I feel responsible for the success or failure of our little venture. While the night we meet has changed over the last few months, not much else has. We have six members that come every week to knit, eat and talk (mostly in that order). The first few months were spent teaching everyone who didn't know how to knit, how to knit and talking about the kinds of things we wouldn't talk about in mixed company. As luck would have it we all enjoy reading and usually end up discussing the books we read while we knit (and eat). I guess that will have to do until we take over the world - which I firmly believe we are capable of doing. And when we do it will be full of slightly overweight, well-read and warmly dressed people.

Ha! Take That Naysayers.....

Yes, it's true. I finished both of the Christmas gifts I knit for my boys. And as soon as I finished the last eyeball for Gid's Elmo sock I vowed never to knit for anyone else ever again. I'm not cut out for the pressure of deadlines - at least not those kind of deadlines. It's not like I can give them one sock or one mitten and call it good. "Merry Christmas! Yes, they are supposed to be like that. No sweetie you only need one. Well, the other children are wrong". What kind of mother would I be? Anyway, the very fact that Gideon has a handknit pair of socks now, makes me feel so much better about the blanket. I'm still going to finish it - but this time I can work on it without the guilt. I know it may sound selfish, but I want to finish my scarf first. That's looking promising as well - it's about five inches long. Only fifty more to go.

Why?

I have found myself as of late trying to justify a love of knitting to others. When met with their skeptical and more often than not downright patronizing looks I have occasionally resorted to pointing out (something that I personally consider a turn off to knitting) that it's "trendy". It is usually after I have muttered this phrase that I think "If they don't understand the genius of knitting by now, then they don't deserve it". I wish people could understand the potential knitting holds for them. When I pick up my needles and wrap a beautiful yarn around my fingers, my mind settles. My heart rate drops, I let out a sigh and then sit back and enjoy the motion as my fingers slowly create one stitch after another. After a while these stitches begin to take form and I think "wow, I'm actually creating something". This turn of events is an amazing coincidence to me. I really think I would knit even if it didn't turn out to be anything. Although the sense of accomplishment following a completed project definitely has it's place. Aside from that I love knitting because it's in my blood.
My grandma used to knit. She's getting to the point in her life where she doesn't do the things she used to enjoy anymore. I asked her about her childhood once and she told me how she would sit outside on Saturdays during the summer and knit along side her mom and sisters. That's another reason why I love knitting. I'm doing something hundreds of women have done before me. Just like me they probably knit whenever they could. In between preparing meals, washing laundry and loving their children. I'm sure some women chose to knit because sometimes it just doesn't feel right if your not doing something. My Grandma watched me as I knit once and said that her mom must look down from Heaven and smile. I like to think that too. I don't remember much about my Great-Grandma but I think it's kind of cool that when I die and get to see her again she can help me with my knitting.

Just say no

While I was doing the dishes today, my mind wandered to the subject of Chirstmas shopping. Don't be alarmed - I had just opened the cupboard where I kept the names I had drawn for our family's Christmas party and I got to thinking. I bet I could make a scarf for my cousin whose name I drew. I wonder if she would like it? Should I also knit a hat and mittens? Would just giving her a scarf seem chinsy or would she think "A scarf? I thought you knew how to knit sweaters?" Not to mention I am on the verge of finishing my first sock ever (notice I did not say 'socks') and they were going to be a birthday present for a certain 2 year old I know. He is now two. Not "almost two". Two. And look above to the reference about there being only one sock - almost done. Right. The socks are now slated for a Christmas delivery. Remember the scarf? That I swatched? Picture that swatch in the photograph 2 and a 1/2 inches wider and 4 inches longer - there's the scarf today. Oh, right the blanket. Well that's okay see because the "baby" that it was being made for just turned two and I hear that there are a pair of socks in his future. Since the blanket is now for the next baby and I'm not even pregnant it would seem I have plenty of time - I have hearby been freed up to start new guilt-free projects.......except the two year old has an older brother who has mentioned that he would also like a pair of socks so......I guess my cousin will just have to make due with a book.