Yarn Along #5

I'm not sure why these Yarn Along posts seem to be the only kind of writing I can handle at the moment.  For some reason, there always seems to be something more pressing in the queue of things I need to do than to write a post here.  And yet I have so many things that I'd like to talk about!  Thoughts about trusting God when life is tough and the way is unclear; about "spring blues" and this curious feeling of apathy that's been dogging me lately; about the challenges and joys that an almost two-year-old is bringing to my life every day.  But the only thing I manage to do somewhat regularly is document my knitting.  I'm hoping that as the weather warms up (it's still in the 40's most days here, and I feel like it's been raining non-stop), it'll be easier to get my work done (because my husband will be able to take our daughter out for walks when he gets home from work), and thus I'll have more time.  I hope.  In the meantime, I try to remind myself that I am taking care of the more important things, and that if writing here is truly important, from an eternal perspective, God will give me the time to do so.

Now: what's on my needles!

I'm still working on my Shalom sweater from last time around.  However, it's mostly done: probably less than six inches of stockinette and then an inch of garter stitch left to go, which shouldn't take me long at all.  I think I'll have it done by the end of the weekend, if not before, since we'll be traveling (this gives me a chance to knit in the car).  Then I just have to pick out a good button, and also fudge close the two extra buttonholes that I worked in and have now decide I won't need or want.

I have to say, I've been loving this revival of my passion for knitting.  I just ordered yarn for a couple more projects, which should keep me busy for at least the next several weeks.  The best part of rediscovering this particular hobby is that it's so wonderfully portable; I can pop my latest project in a bag and bring it to the doctor's office (if my daughter isn't coming, anyway), or knit in the car, or when we visit either set of grandparents.  I'm enjoying the process, and also enjoying the end results.  The next step is for me to branch out into different types of yarn; I've mostly been a "wool only" person (I raised sheep - go figure), but I'm intrigued by the variety of other natural fibers (cotton, modal, cashmere, etc).  And I've really been enjoying learning some new techniques, as well.  It's all made me very thankful for the solid skills that I learned as a child and teenager (thank you, Mom and 4-H), because it's now pretty easy for me to attempt fairly complex patterns.

As for the book accompanying the sweater: this is the book that I would be reading, if I could just find the time to read.  Actually, I have found time here and there (i.e. when LW will let me, while nursing) to flip through it at least.  It's called Honey for a Child's Heart, and is an absolutely lovely annotated list of children's books, which includes a lovely dose of Great Books philosophy.  I've been looking through it to see what books I might want to get for LW for her upcoming birthday; she's finally hit an age where she just loves to be read to, and it's time to expand her library a bit more.

Anyway, that's all for today, folks!  Have a blessed and holy Triduum, and a most joyful Easter!

As always, be sure to check out all the other Yarn Along links over at Small Things.

Trials and Tribulations

My soon-to-be two year old is not content, it seems, to partake in the typical childhood bumps and bruises.  Yes, she falls off from things regularly, and bangs her head, or drops things on her toes, or squashes a finger.  But she also has to take everything one step further.  Like yesterday, when she managed to sprinkle black pepper in her eye.  In case anyone ever wondered - a two year old with pepper in their eye is not a happy camper, and if their fingernails happen to be long at the same time, the bloody scratched mess that will result is enough to result in an instantaneous lifetime's worth of Mom-guilt.

Oh yes, and it was dinnertime, too.  In the flurry of activity, our pasta got pretty gummy.  But, the good news is that LW is fine, now (albeit scratched), and we've learned better than to let her play with spices until she's at least 25.

Ever had a toddler spice catastrophe?  Please share, and let me know I'm not the worst Mom alive.

Yarn Along # 4

What a crazy busy day it has been. All three of us were scheduled to have doctor's appointments today, although my husband eventually canceled his chiropractic one so that he could take our daughter to the dentist instead.  Dental visits are a huge trauma for both her *and* me - and I think it went easier, this time, because I didn't go.  All day, though, I've been thinking "it's Wednesday!  I've been knitting!  I want to post my Yarn Along!"  I'm sliding it in, just under the wire, and in the five minutes I have before my computer battery dies.

Anyway.  Picture time!

Here's what's currently on my needles, and on the side table being read:

It doesn't look like much yet, but it's the beginning of a Shalom sweater for me.  I liked the one I made for my daughter so much that I had to start one for myself.  The yarn is Cascade Yarns Eco Wool (in a natural chocolate brown), and the pattern can be found on Ravelry, or at Involving the Senses.  The yarn is pretty soft for being bulky and non-Merino, and I'm loving the lofty feel of it (and already imagining how nice the finished sweater will feel).  I also loved that one skein, which is almost 500 yards, should be enough for the whole project, and only cost $15.

Actually, I had the sweater completed all the way through the yoke yesterday, before trying it on and deciding to rip it all out and go up a needle size.  What you see here is what I was able to redo while waiting, and waiting, and waiting some more at the doctor's office today.

The book is one of my very favorites: Friends for the Journey, containing thoughts and dialogue on friendship by Madeleine L'Engle and Luci Shaw.  Love it, for more reasons than I can count, and it's hitting the spot right now.  It's making me realize, though, that I need to start being more proactive and try to find more friends.  Friends really do make the world go 'round...

Also, an update on my last project: I finished LW's Bloom dress!

I absolutely love how it turned out.  The K1P1 ribbing in the bodice has a ton of give, and I can tell it will fit LW for a long time to come.

The diamond lace pattern is just so perfectly pretty.  Plus, this project has definitely gotten me over my intimidation about lace knitting.  I'll be doing more projects like it in the near future, I'm sure!

Best of all, it fits LW well - lots of room to grow in to, but should be perfect for Easter.  I just need to decide on a ribbon color - white or darker purple - to finish it.  And she even (when she's not trying to take it off, that is) likes the dress (don't mind the trash can and recycling bin in the background.  When trying to catch a very active toddler on camera, you have to take whatever shot you can get).

That's all for today, folks - the battery is about to go.  Be sure to check out the Yarn Along roundup over at Small Things.

Lesson for a Tuesday

Today's science lesson:

If you happen to be making grits for breakfast, and you just happen to drop the whole, steaming, still slightly soupy bowl of grits on the floor... you will receive an awesome lesson in physics.

That's right: your grits will splash eight feet in every direction, onto every surface imaginable.  Daughter's kitchen toys?  Check.  Throw rug that doesn't fit in the washing machine?  Check.  Laundry basket eight feet away in the living room?  Check, check, and double check (side note: when I went to spell check my post, double check initially turned into diabolic; coincidence? I don't think so).  And by the time you finish cleaning up what can only be described as grit shrapnel, you probably won't want grits for breakfast anymore.

Don't ask me how I know this.

I would include pictures for illustration, but it's far too early in the week for anything that demoralizing.  Take it from me, though: it might be wise to choose something less explosive for breakfast.  Like toast.

That's all for now.  May your Tuesday be less sticky and gritty than mine.