Mary Oliver

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?"









Friday, December 28, 2012

The Day After The Blue Day

Stephanie and I got out yesterday to enjoy the sunny weather. We went to my favorite coffee shop and knit for awhile, then we went to the LYS to knit some more. Afterwards, I dropped her off so she could meet up with some friends, and I took a little stroll before heading home to knit some more. Oh, and I also completed the SPCA adoption application, so I can begin the process of adopting my own cat. I think I'm ready to have a little more of this in my life.

 

Even though I am usually a bit melancholy right after Christmas, it's also a good time for me to relax, look ahead, and think about any changes I want to make. Improving my financial stability, i.e., eliminating debt, is always at the top of my list. Crafting and knitting and decluttering are also usually on the list as well. This year I want to make more garments for myself that aren't accessories. I love wearing cardigans, so that's what I want to focus on making. I made a shrug type sweater that I enjoy wearing, but I don't think it's going to hold up well, as I knit it in Baby Alpaca Grande, which, while extremely soft, pills terribly. So it is going to fall in the accessory category, especially since I can only wear it when it's really cold.

So I've decided I want to knit a couple of beautiful yet practical sweaters that can be part of my everyday wardrobe. And since I got a really nice gift certificate for yarn from my husband for Christmas, this is a good time to begin. I'm looking at a couple of different patterns. Here are the ones on my possibility list:

Any advice/experience with these?

Of course, instead of starting any of these patterns, or indeed, using any of the patterns I already own, I have been buying individual patterns through the evil magic of PayPal. I bought a number of patterns from Tin Can Knits, as well as this shawl pattern. I think I'm trying to work through my stash by buying patterns instead of yarn, since I'm going to try the Stash and Burn 2013 Challenge. Anyone interested in joining me?

 

On a completely different topic, I just finished reading a post about how taking and sharing pictures have changed over the years, and it really got me thinking. Blogging feels like having a bunch of pen pals to me. I get to read about and see pictures of an amazing number of places I'd never get to see otherwise, and I get to know some amazing people I will probably never meet face to face. Kind of cool, isn't it? Thanks, Stephanie V!

 

So, speaking of photos, i want to share this photo of my oldest daughter, Meredith, and her fiancé.

I think they look adorable!

4 comments:

  1. I made Gmarled Oak. Love love love it. See on Ravelry. I'm Seajaes.

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  2. They are adorable, how can she miss with a name like Meredith? I put the tea sweater in my library a while back, now you are making me think about it again....the problem is I have too many other sweaters ready to start. Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  3. You probably know I'm an advocate for sweater knitting, so here are some ideas to eliminate risk and boost success: go for a top-down design you can try on as you knit so the fit can be perfect for you, look at sweaters you already own and choose a silhouette you now works for you, avoid superwash yarns unless you know from experience that they won't grow unpredictably when you wet block them, and speaking of that, put all your stitches on a length of waste yarn and wet block your garment when you get to about an inch below the underarms. Best wishes for you endeavour.

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  4. I think your commitment to practical sweaters is a good one. I know I need to head in that directions, but it really scares me!

    I have had the minimalist sweater at the top of my list for years. It's a great sweater, but a lot of (slow) seed stitch! I know because I started the back a few years ago!

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