Category: life

Blogville Knitters’ Challenge

Posted on Posted in knitting, life, socks, what makes me tick, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , 9 Comments

Where is your favorite place to knit? Blog about it for us however you wish. You can post a photo or describe it. Tell us what you like about it. This should be about your favorite place to knit, not where you knit most often (unless they are the same).

My favorite place to knit is on the hammock on the front porch in front of a fire in the chimenea.

I don’t knit here very often, but it was a nice day and Sarah recently blogged about knitting outside. I remembered how I used to love to sit outside and knit and read and listen to music. So I took a half day of PTO today and made a fire. I’ve been knitting on my sock and listening to Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix Volumes 1 and 2. It reminds me of my boys. We used to listen to it in the car quite a lot.

Today I was visited by our neighbor boys. They remind me of my boys when they were little. They wanted to dig up our house so it would fall down. I told them to go for it.

Sometimes JoJo visits me on the hammock.

Sometimes she does this and chews on my needles so I can’t knit. But that’s ok.

I finished the gusset and it’s easy knitting and listening from here on out.

Please share about your favorite place to knit on your blog or in the comments below!

Sunday Grace

Posted on Posted in inspiration, knitting, life, socks, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , , , , 5 Comments

My orchids are blooming again.

Our neighbors gave us hyacinth for Easter.

I’m knitting another heel flap.

My coworker won’t get off my lap.

Our kids are sorta famous.

The ravine is greening and flowering.

This leggy human walks slowly so I can keep up and stop to take photos on our walks.

Amen.

Easter Official Edition

Posted on Posted in knitting, life, Works in Progress (WIPs), yarnTagged , , , , , 15 Comments

It’s official!

I finished one sock and cast on the second immediately as recommended by Blogville Knitters.

Yesterday I spent most of my day binge watching Outlander and casting on. My new Arachne yarn arrived and I caught up to where I had previously knit on my ill-fated first attempt.

I love it! This yarn is Quince and Co Chickadee Heather in Sabine and Hydrangea. I looked through projects on Ravelry and someone else had used this yarn for Arachne. It’s lovely and soft and didn’t break the bank.

I also cast on Deschain yesterday. Several years ago, when I started knitting again, this was the first project I wanted to cast on. I purchased the pattern on Ravelry through my local yarn shop, which I thought at the time was fairly miraculous. I had planned to use something from my stash, but I’m glad I didn’t try it. This is also Quince and Co yarn: Kestral in Ash. I’m sewing a lantern skirt in black linen to wear with it, and I’ll probably sew a black knit tank top to wear under it as well.

It’s official! I’m gothy.

I made it to Douglas Henshall’s entrance on Outlander. Let’s face it, that’s probably the only reason I am watching it. Does it have Douglas Henshall and knitting in it? I’m in. But if I hear “Coming Through the Rye” one more time…

This weekend I thought we could “lean in” as they say, and I talked Bob into watching The Stand with me. I thought it would tick my horror box and be amusingly ironic. I forgot how truly unwatchable it is. By the end of Episode 3, I had completely lost interest, laws yes. M-O-O-N that spells Stephen King. We’re going to try The Outsider today. We enjoyed Castle Rock.

It’s official! I went outside today (to take photos for my blog)!

It’s pretty out there.

Gooood Friday

Posted on Posted in knitting, life, yarnTagged , , , 12 Comments

Interweave has a new podcast called Knitting Nerdcast. Knitting podcasts aren’t usually my thing. I’ve tried and I can’t get into them. But this one is my jam. Check it out! I am definitely going to try Outlander again, for the knitting. (I will look the other way during the steamy scenes because they embarrass me.) They talk about combination knitting in this episode, because that’s how they knit in Gilead. That’s also how they knit in Kenya. I couldn’t remember what it was called when I was there, so we called it Kenyan knitting.

I signed up for Daily Om’s Yoga for Empaths. It’s basically yoga that focuses on grounding. Day 1 was a little challenging, but what Day 1 isn’t challenging? I feel better and it was crazy inexpensive for 21 days of yoga practice, journaling prompts, and recipes.

con-alma-124(Photo copyright Kate Davies.)

My favorite designer in the whole wide world has a new pattern out today. I love the orange, but I’m going to make it in Tarbet blue. That’s my happy color.

milarrochy-new-shades-06-copy(Photo copyright Kate Davies.)

Did I purchase yarn for another project? Yes. Yes I did. I am also going to look for some fabric — I will check my stash first — to make a button down shirt. I may dress up like Kate Davies for Halloween, or every day.

Or, I will dye my hair black and circle my eyes in black eyeliner and dress up like Noel Fielding. I’m pretty sure we were separated at birth and I want him to be my best friend. But for real, all I need is a furry neon jumper to wear with some skinny jeans and pointy boots.

Or I will wear my Arachne sweater with a rhinestone spider pin for Halloween. Yeah, probably that.

Sabbath

Posted on Posted in life, lofty thoughtsTagged 10 Comments

I think one of the major downfalls of modern culture is a lack of a sabbath. I don’t mean anything religious by that, but more the need for people to have a day of rest. In a culture where business operates 24/7 and communication is instantaneous there are no days of rest.

My goal today was to take a sabbath. I wasn’t going to do anything productive today: no sewing or knitting, no cooking or cleaning, and no work. I have been lying on the couch reading all day!

I enjoyed my first virtual knit night last night. I am looking forward to the next one on Sunday, April 6th!

Yesterday I binge-watched Vicar of Dibley and organized my craft corner. I have too many projects “on” and I’m determined to make a dent this summer both in projects and supplies.

Here’s my favorite bit from Vicar of Dibley. Enjoy! 🙃

The Outer Limits (of my mind)

Posted on Posted in knitting, life, lofty thoughts, scarves and cowls, what makes me tick, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , , , , , 10 Comments

I don’t know about you, friends, but I feel stretched to my limits. I am no longer capable of further complexity in my life. I made a silly mistake on my Farmhouse Cardigan and had to rip it out. I began some Wide Legged Pants only to be confounded by taping the pattern pieces together. It is important during these troubled times to recognize your limits, be gentle with yourself, and reach for what comforts you.

I decided patterns are a no go right now (although I wouldn’t turn down an oatmeal raisin cookie) and cast on a simple cowl. This is Knitpicks Swish Bulky in Saffron from my stash. It was a FibreShare gift. Sweet simple hygge bliss. I will make a hat to match! (And call him George and hug him and pet him…)

Why do we have a large hunk of quartz in our house? I think it was here when we moved in. Maybe it was meant to be a doorstop? It has migrated to the living room.

If you’ve watched a lot of Time Team, as I have, you will remember they find early medieval church altars made from quartz. Was this because it was believed to hold special properties? Was it because it was readily available and shiny? Did it raise the spiritual energy of the congregation? Do you believe quartz holds special metaphysical properties? I think I do believe it, as do many people of different cultural backgrounds. So what is the significance of this chunk of quartz in our house? Is it clearing out bad vibes?

Ooommmmm. I know you probably can’t tell what I’m doing, but it’s a face plant on quartz. There are definitely some weird things afoot at my house, and not just yours truly needing a mental clearing.

What’s bending our forks? Poltergeist?Misdirected quartz vibrations? Teenagers eating ice cream? (Or… aliens?)

I stopped by my LYS to show my support in these times of economic uncertainty. (It had nothing to do with me needing yarn therapy I assure you.) I did my patriotic duty and picked up the knitting game I’ve wanted since Christmas, plus yarn to match for good measure. It’s such a happy blue. Maybe another simple cowl and hat is in my future. At least there is some certainty to be found in knitting.

Crafting FOMO

Posted on Posted in knitting, lifeTagged , 8 Comments

Well, my weekend has been a bust. After spending half a day at the craft con on Friday, I started feeling down. I came home for lunch and fell asleep on the couch, which is unusual for me to do during the day. By the time I woke up, it was too late to head back for the keynote, which I really wanted to hear.

Then yesterday I felt like I was getting sick so I stayed home and did some more sleeping on the couch, interspersed with knitting. I felt bad for missing the con and even worse for missing Sarah‘s virtual knit night, another thing I wanted to do. I have crafting FOMO! But I slept for 12 hours last night, so hopefully I’m on the mend. I’ll take it easy today and stay home so I don’t spread any germs.

I cast on my Farmhouse Cardigan. I also started a cowl with my Celtic Colours yarn, which I have been saving for something special. I decided it would be perfect for Whit’s Four Square Cowl with a second color. So I ripped it out and ordered another skein of the yarn in solid purple.

Today I’m going to order some prefelt for the art show. It’s only 19 months away!

It Feels Like Spring!

Posted on Posted in field trips, lifeTagged , 5 Comments
winter aconite along the ravine

I went for a walk in the neighborhood this morning. The winter aconite and snowdrops are blooming. It feels too early!

My trip to Kenya was a profound experience and I am so grateful to have been able to go, visit with artisans, and see what fair trade looks like in action. I’m really excited for our plans!

It took several days for me to recover from the jet lag. I did not get sick, but I need a lot of sleep. My anxiety has also been out of control. I heard an article on NPR about menopause and anxiety. It put some things into perspective for me.

I have not knit anything since Kenya. I haven’t sewn anything either. February is finish it, frog it, or forget about it month, and there are a few projects I foresee will be frogged. I really want to start my Farmhouse Cardigan, so I’ll probably go ahead and do that.

I’m hoping to get my February The Just Craft published by the end of the month. (I have an extra day because it’s a Leap Year!) I will focus on Kitengala Hot Glass and save Kenana Knitters for next month.

This weekend I will be attending Midwest Craft Con for the first time. I’m looking forward to learning some new things and meeting new people, but grateful nothing is really expected of me except to show up.

I can’t wait to catch up on your blogs! You’ll forgive me if I’m heavy on the liking and light on the commenting. Do you do anything special for Leap Day on February 29? It seems like it should be a holiday of sorts.

The Red Road Home

Posted on Posted in inspiration, lifeTagged 5 Comments

Have I ever blogged about my Grandparents’ farm? I can’t imagine I haven’t. I think about it, and them, every day. Even in Kenya, I look at the red soil and rolling hills and think of Oklahoma.

My cousin Cyndi and her husband are restoring the farm in the hopes of retiring there someday. She’s started a facebook page so we can follow along!