More Memories

When my Aunt/Godmother had 2 little girls, I just had to make them matching sweaters.  They were made with a white yarn that had different bright colors here & there.  They came out pretty nice if I do say so myself!  My Aunt loved the sweaters so much, she had professional photos taken of the girls together, both wearing the sweaters.  They were more of a casual sweater, I thought, so it was really flattering for her to do that.  After the girls had outgrown the sweaters, she put them in boxes to save for her grandchildren.  Another wow!  Thanks Aunt Di!

Inane Babbling

Since I've been playing around with the hats again, I can't just keep babbling about those all the time!  A hat is a hat is a hat, unless of course, its done in some unusual way.  But these are normal, everyday, boring (but fun!) hats.  So, I'm going to reminisce about some past knitty experiences!  Once upon a time... 

I made some outfits for my sister when she was pregnant with her first child.  I gave them to her at her baby shower.  She was so tickled by what I had made for her, which is a great feeling.  But even better, after my niece was born, she actually WORE the clothes.  When my sister had her son, he wore them also.  That is a great sign of appreciation!  Even better still, after the kids had outgrown the clothes, my sister put them away in boxes, as if they were heirlooms.  Wow! 

Time To Panic?!

Oh my, this is not good...I have to report for jury duty.  I called to make sure I can take my knitting...they won't let me bring in needles!  Ack!  I keep getting this panicky feeling deep in the pit of my stomach.  Seven hours trapped in a boring room without my knitting?!  Ack!  Think I'm going to be ill.  Reading makes me too sleepy, that's not good either.  At this point, I'm just stressing about it, I know I'll live, but...ack!  Its gonna be a loooooong day! 

Doin' The Happy Dance!

Spunky's doing the Happy Dance!  Whoopah!  The sweater is FINISHED!  Oh yeah, I'm just so thrilled that its done.  And, not only is it done, but it came out great, too!  The body could have been a little longer, to cover the rear-end a little bit more, but other than that, its great!  I am so happy with the way it turned out.  Plus the fact that its DONE!  Whew! 

So, what's next?  I'm ready for some more instant gratification.  I'll probably finish the hat that I started a few weeks ago.  I'm sure I'll keep working on hats throughout the summer.  I'll keep working on the little squares for another blanket/afghan.  Both are great ways to keep using up the scraps in the basket.  As always, I'll be sure to post pictures of the hats as I get a few done.  I'm looking forward to it!

Cuffed & Collared

Woohoo!  The sleeve is done, & I boldly jumped into the collar.  I did a test fit before starting the collar, looking good so far.  The sleeves are a little longer, which is great, so I can hide my hands in them.  My hands get cold so easily.  Plus, the collar will pull up everything a bit, holding it more together than it is now. 

The collar is coming along, I've done about an inch or so.  I won't really know how it looks until I take it off the needles, so I'm sort of playing this one by ear.  There is a point at the shoulder line where the cables are, it sort of buckles there from the cables.  I'm hoping it won't distort the collar.  I'm thinking I may just keep going on it as is, maybe make a turtle neck.  A looser one, though, almost like a cowl neck. 

Sadly, I checked my notes on when I first began this sweater.  Sheesh, its been almost 2 years. I remember thinking how it would only take me a little more than a month to finish it.  Obviously, I haven't been very diligent on completing it. 

It was right around then that I really started working on the chemo hats.  I wanted to get a batch in to the cancer center while the weather was still cool, so the folks who needed them would be able to wear them.  Ah, good intentions, but neglectful all the same! 

Another Day In The Life

The sleeve is progressing, though not nearly as quickly as I would like.  However, it is only my own doing, as I have not knitted as much as I would like.  My own fault!  Anyways, I'm at a point on the sleeve where I have to switch to the double pointed needles, because its gotten to small to work on the circulars.  This is a good thing, it means I'm close to the cuff!  Well, closer than I was a few days ago! :) 

 

This weekend looks like a good knitting prospect, so hopefully the sleeve will be done & I can figure out that collar.  This will be a love/hate issue, I can feel it.  I'm not sure how it will work out, & I want it to work, & look good, but I have a feeling its going to be a real pain in the patootie.  I'm sure this is what is leading to my reluctance to get to the collar.  Maybe its a subconsious thing, the less I work on it, the longer it will take to work on the collar.  Ya think?! 

Knitting Away

Work on the sweater continues.  I checked my progress with the first sleeve, its getting there.  I was able to get a lot done last evening.  I wasn't feeling well, so it was a great time to sit & knit.  Somehow it makes me feel better, almost as good as comfort foods do!  I'm still dragging today, hope I'm not coming down with something.  But, I am hoping to have the sleeve completed soon.  Then its off to figure out the collar, what to do & how to do it.  I may have to play with a few different things to see what works best.  I may be able to wear this for spring yet!

Its The Little Things...

Sometimes, its the little things that make it all worthwhile.  Saturday evening, my daughter had a dance at school. After she decided to wear a little black dress, she wanted something to dress it up a bit.  I suggested some bright jewelry, a scarf or maybe...a shawl! :)  She thought it was a great idea & ended up wearing it draped over her shoulder & pinned at her hip.  She got tons of compliments on it, which made both of us feel good!  Although it didn't stay on too long at the dance, just the fact that she took it & wore it was such a thrill!  Totally made my day! 

Also, my knitting therapy worked wonders!  The sweater & I had some meaningful time together.  I popped in a movie, parked my butt on the recliner & knitted my heart out.  Nothing like a little 'self help'! 

(I tried to post this several times over the past few days, but it kept kicking me out of the journal...argh!)

In Need Of Some Therapy

Due to circumstances mostly of my own making, I haven't done as much knitting as I would like.  My daughter had a doctor appt. the other day, so I slapped together the materials for a hat, because they are quick, mindless & portable.  Good thing too, because the Dr. was running way behind...as usual!  So now there is a hat on the needles with a few inches done, just in case I have need of a 'quick, grab it' project. 

The sweater is coming along fine, so far.  Since I'm in need of some therapy, which means 'knitting' to me, I'm going to spend some time working on it to soothe my soul today.  There is something about the feel of the yarn running between my fingers, the comfort of the growing material in my hands, the beauty of the knitted stitches...sigh!  There is nothing quite like it to bring peace to my heart.  Sounds like heaven.  Think I'll go there...off to knit!