Dear Readers,
forgive me for leaving you for so long! I have been away with family, then busy with getting my life in order after Christmas vacation. Let me update you on a few things
forgive me for leaving you for so long! I have been away with family, then busy with getting my life in order after Christmas vacation. Let me update you on a few things
First is my wee owl coffee cozie. I call it my "Sam" cup, because of the "Sam and the Firefly" book I read so long ago. Even though you can't see Sam's color, really, I always thought he was brown.
The second thing is that I'm STILL working on my sister's darn mittens for her birthday. (So sorry, Sis!) The front design for the Anna mittens are trickier than I thought, so I had to undo it and start again. And I haven't even begun the design on the second mitten!
The third item is the "Once there was a Baby" pattern, which is from Once upon a Time. Not kidding. The actual designer of the blanket put it up on Ravelry! And wouldn't you know it, my good friend (who just got pregnant) happens to be a fan. I've fiddled with it a little, and I will certainly need to buy more yarn and more ribbon, but it's coming. I'm enjoying knitting something in Bulky.
I think I finally found the pattern for this yarn! Do you know how long it's been sitting in my stash? DO YOU!?! Since Sock Summit 2009. SOCK SUMMIT 2009!!! They don't even DO Sock Summit anymore! I've ripped it back at least 3 different times, so the yarn's really worn. But it's a sweater's worth of yarn! But Lo, I stumbled upon the Flax Light, and there's nothing that can stop me now!
Some serious knitting here. Over Thanksgiving I discovered that nearly all of my aunts who were present (and some cousins as well) were going through rough times. I mean, really rough. Like, when I complain about things, I'm basically a wimp compared to them. All of them were talking about how it's hard, not in a bragging way, but in a sincere, honest, "I'm-keeping-my-head-up" kind of way. I thought about what I could do for them, and suddenly "prayer shawls" entered my brain.
I started doing research. And what I found was.... interesting. Prayer shawl ministry is not just for the sick or home-bound, but also for new babies, wedded couples, or someone who just needs comfort. The prayer shawl idea was sounding pretty good. Until I saw what kinds of prayer shawls were being made. I'm sorry, but they are UGLY. It looks like people designed the shawls to be easy, but the issue is that they are so easy it looks more like people who do prayer shawl ministries are not serious knitters, but working to bang them out and only learn what they need in order to make them. And that just didn't sit well with me. People will be more receptive to a prayer shawl if it is lovely.
And so, I vowed to begin my own, personal prayer shawl ministry. I can knit in Adoration, and in front of the blessed sacrament. Each shawl for my aunts and cousins will be chosen based on what color they look good in, and based on what they need. This particular shawl that I'm making is called .friendship and healing. I'm not saying who it is for, but just that she needs the support. It's knit out of Malabrigo, always a good choice, and will include beads. I'm already excited at how it's going to turn out, and I'm thinking I'll even add more Adoration times to my schedule during Lent, just to get in knitting time and prayer. I don't know why I didn't think of this brilliant idea before.
I started doing research. And what I found was.... interesting. Prayer shawl ministry is not just for the sick or home-bound, but also for new babies, wedded couples, or someone who just needs comfort. The prayer shawl idea was sounding pretty good. Until I saw what kinds of prayer shawls were being made. I'm sorry, but they are UGLY. It looks like people designed the shawls to be easy, but the issue is that they are so easy it looks more like people who do prayer shawl ministries are not serious knitters, but working to bang them out and only learn what they need in order to make them. And that just didn't sit well with me. People will be more receptive to a prayer shawl if it is lovely.
And so, I vowed to begin my own, personal prayer shawl ministry. I can knit in Adoration, and in front of the blessed sacrament. Each shawl for my aunts and cousins will be chosen based on what color they look good in, and based on what they need. This particular shawl that I'm making is called .friendship and healing. I'm not saying who it is for, but just that she needs the support. It's knit out of Malabrigo, always a good choice, and will include beads. I'm already excited at how it's going to turn out, and I'm thinking I'll even add more Adoration times to my schedule during Lent, just to get in knitting time and prayer. I don't know why I didn't think of this brilliant idea before.
Finally, I finished Peter's socks. I was sorta pissed that I had nearly finished them in Portland, except I had left the rest of the yellow yarn at home. And so, my poor brother has been deprived of his Christmas socks for yet another two weeks. I'm a horrible sister. But at least these bad Gryffindor boys are Gryffin-DONE!
Whew! I've been doing a LOT lately! I guess I got so used to knitting like crazy that it became a habit. The last thing is a Hexipuff update.
Sometimes I feel like I'm making good time, and sometimes I feel like I'll never get this thing done. But then I see other people's finished items and I can't help myself!
Here are some examples:
The impossibility of NOT knitting Hexis when you see them on tumblr.
The Joy of seeing finished ones.
Oh, also, if you feel like you need your knitting mojo back, here's two places to start:
The Knit Princess (The comic is actually finished, but don't worry. It will take you a while to get through it).
The Yarn Harlot (just look at this post! She's always worth checking out, and her books are even more amazing!)
Both have me reeling and reaching for the sticks and string.
Ciao for now,
Cimorine
Here are some examples:
The impossibility of NOT knitting Hexis when you see them on tumblr.
The Joy of seeing finished ones.
Oh, also, if you feel like you need your knitting mojo back, here's two places to start:
The Knit Princess (The comic is actually finished, but don't worry. It will take you a while to get through it).
The Yarn Harlot (just look at this post! She's always worth checking out, and her books are even more amazing!)
Both have me reeling and reaching for the sticks and string.
Ciao for now,
Cimorine