Long Time No Knit!

Hello, all.

Thinking deep thoughts today; here's my latest revelation. I have spent most of my life thinking, "If I can just get through the next few days/weeks/months and finally catch up/finish/get through/complete X/Y/Z, then I'll be through the rapids and onto a calm place in the stream where I can catch my breath, relax, smell the roses. etc."

But I think that is just a myth, a fairy tale I tell myself to help me keep plugging through X or Y or Z.  Most, if not all, of life, actually IS the rapids.  And it is up to me to step back a bit, lift my nose from whatever I'm furiously concentrating on to look at the sky, notice something beautiful and momentary in nature, smile at someone's kid in the store, call a friend...to make more of an effort to slow time down in the midst of the rapids by just noticing my life go by, and appreciating the actual moments of it, rather than yearning for that mythical "calm" place where I'll have all the world and time to do whatever I please.

As my sister Susan wisely pointed out, if you don't have anything left to do on your to-do list, that can only mean you're dead!

My busy days have been filled with lots of challenging and interesting work, year-end planning in my department, helping my son with geometry...

which reminds me:  Here are some of Nathan's current school supplies, which really say it all:

Parade of Babies!

I'm not sure if I've shown you these yet, but I love babies and can't resist.  Here is a sampling of the latest crop sporting handmade hats to keep those little heads warm, now that Minnesota winds have started howling!

This is little Cailee!

This is preemie Luna - her hat was kinda big, but I bet it will fit in no time at all.

 

This is Lewis Rocky.  He looks like he is having a very good laugh at whatever the photographer is doing.

This is baby Ben...

This is baby Jack, in his "grandpa" sweater with the leather buttons and faux "suede" elbow patches.

And this is the newest entry, baby Claire Josephine, for whom I made the pinky lavender set with the beribboned bonnet.  I am really looking forward to meeting her and hoping her mom will call me when she needs a babysitter!  (I dearly love to hold babies...)

And now, for some slow-but-steady KOTOTW knitting progress!

Finished!  Fiesta Skirt

This skirt had a whole lotta stockinette, followed by a whole lotta finishing details.  There was i-cord to be knitted and sewn on...

And a wavy band of i-cord to knit and gather (I ran a thread every 12 rows or so in an attempt to get the waves even).

There were bobbles to knit and tie on, and then furry yarn to cast on, cast off, and then sew along the edge and along one of the stripes.  And ties to make for the waist.  And striped bands/facings to knit and sew up each front, sew together, and then sew down in back.  And a casing to stitch down for the elastic waistband... A hecka finishing work, basically.  I really LOOOOVED the yarn; Blue Sky Alpacas Melange, a dreamy, creamy, plied alpaca which has that effect you see in some yarns where it is like knitting a row of beads.  Just soft and beautiful.  I'm musing what to do with the leftovers - something stripey that could go around my neck, I think, a warm cowl to wear with my black coat, and maybe a hat to match?

But then it was done!  I have  a knitting night coming up, I will try to wear it and get a "live action" photo of this one for you!

Cowichan Vision Wrap Coat - Finished!

This one is also finished!  It was fun to do Fair Isle/Instarsia with extra super bulky thick yarn.  The strands of Classic Elite Aspen, a 50% wool/50% alpaca unplied strand of roving, were as thick as Crayola crayons -- I had to hunt down a needle with an extra-large eye to weave in the ends.  I did a lot of the sewing up with thinner wool yarn, as the roving strands would just fall apart after a few stitches.  I lengthened the middle section a bit because I am so long-waisted; it might make it easier to wear with a belt, as it is shown in the book. 

So that means - JUST FIVE MORE PROJECTS TO FINISH!!!

(I know, I know - one is the long-awaited, long-deferred Lisbon Lace Jacket.  Just can't quite get the sleeves sewn together, possibly because I am not sure how they will sew/fit onto the body.  May have to knit some extra pieces to fit just below the shoulder...  THAT one really is waiting for a weekend when I don't have work, which means mid-November, as my annual presentation is coming up.)  The rest of my day will be spent working away on a power point presentation on senior housing.  At least I'm finding lots of entertaining photos of baby boomers to add a little visual interest!

I'm at the point now where none of the remaining projects are portable:

 - Aztec Tunic Vest (both fair isle bands and intarsia motifs throughout);

 - Great Bear Zip Tunic (lotsa stripes, some intarsia);

 - La Paz Scarf and Cap (fair isle hat and scarf knit in the round); and

 - Great Plains Blanket Bag (intarsia on hyperdrive).

This seems to have slowed me down somewhat.  Can I finish 4 more projects in just 2 months?  Will I have them all done by Vogue Knitting Live on January 18 and 19 in New York?  (Not sure if I'm invited yet, actually; Nicky has mentioned it a few times.  I will be travelling out there anyway to visit my parents, so I will at least go visit Nicky!)

Trying not to put too much pressure on myself; after all, I thought it would take 4 years, not 3.  And work (and helping Nate with the load of sophomore homework) is taking up quite a bit more of my time than I had expected.  But, I'll do my best!

A Sweater Blast From My Past

Nathan wanted to go to the Friday night football game this week, and it was quite cold - windy and inching below 40 degrees.  His dad, Alex, kindly brought over a big tweed cabled sweater I had made for him before we were married, thinking it might be just the ticket to keep Nate cozy while sitting at the game. 

I think it looks great on him!  (Although his skeptical expression would indicate that he is less than sure about it...)

May you be enjoying this season of winter knits, and wrapping those you love in yarny hugs!

XOXOXO,

Mar

P.S.:  Yesterday I went yarn shop hopping with my friend, Regina.  (That is her heading in the door!) Check out the great name of this yarn store in Cannon Falls, MN!

 

Comments

[Cynthia]

Looks like long time no blog.
The Fiesta Skirt with all the finishing touches and the beautiful Cowichan Vision Wrap Coat are fabulous! Those finishing touches always take tons of time.
The babies and all the awesome knitting are simply adorable! I love holding babies too. I'm expecting #20 grandchild in March. Hooray!
The sweater looks awesome on your son! He is very handsome. :) Time spent on the kiddos is always a special investment!
Your sister is right. So I'm hoping to have a full plate when I die!
I would love to see what is what in the Yarnation!
I always enjoy reading your blogs!
XOXO :)

[Linda Chan]

Great to get an update on your projects. I can't believe you're five projects away from the finish.

I love those baby hats. So cute.

Nathan is so big now! Wow.

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I entirely like this blog. If you will post more articles…

[Barb]

Oh your knitting is so incredible!!! It's hard to believe how much you have knit in really such a relatively short time. I'm always in awe of your knitting! And those sweet babies - thanks for sharing all of it.

Your son is such a handsome young man and busy, busy, busy like his mom.

Thanks so much for the updates. It's always fun to know what you are doing and to catch up a little.

[twinsetellen]

Just 5 more? wow - you are doing GREAT. Especially with all the adorable baby knitting.