Back in the summer I made a list of blog ideas as they were happening to write about later. This post is one of those, not because I can't think of anything else to write about, but because the longer I put it off the less flowing I think the writing would be.
During the summer, before school started up and when the days were so incredibly long. I did a thing. Actually a couple of things. I took some ideas I had in my head and turned them into reality. I saw how much yarn of one colour I had and thought "That could be a sweater.”
So I began to experiment with ideas, stitches, hook size. I didn't want to knit it - I have a couple of knit sweater projects on the go already, so I wanted something that would work up quickly and still look amazing.
I did the first one for Monkey. Not bad for a first attempt and not really using a pattern! (I think it's too loose and baggy but she absolutely LOVES it).
So then I grabbed a different colour and did one for Girlie (a little more fitted because that's her style). I am always surprised when I re-learn what her favourite colour is, because she often picks yellow for things she'd like me to make her. Yellow hat, yellow mitts, now a yellow sweater. She sure does look stunning!
When I saw how well these ones turned out I decided to try something different for myself. Super bright colour, more of a wrap than a pull-over sweater, with a tighter and a smaller stitch. I trimmed with black and it is so warm! It has, of course, been "borrowed" and I encourage that ;) Things made with love are meant to be shared with love. And honestly, she wears it better than I do!
I learned more about blocking and have finally fallen in love with a patiently blocked piece of work. Most of what I create now will be properly blocked (mitts and tuques excluded) and I continue on my knitting journey.
Monkey had a volleyball weekend a few weeks ago where we were at the school constantly, and I was able to work on my most recent kniiting work almost constantly during that. Monkey said that I mesmerized a couple of her team mates because my eyes rarely left the court but my fingers were constantly busy! That could only happen because the pattern was so repetitive, not because I'm that amazing at it ;) I'll post a picture when it's finally finished, knitting just takes so much longer than crochet. But I do enjoy both so much.
There will be more. There are anecdotes to write about, catching up on birthday cake, and other snippets to share. We are currently 4 months in our new home and the adjustment to the change has been about as expected. It always takes longer than we hope to feel like the transition is settled, and the 4-6 month mark is often the hardest emotionally. Good thing we know this coming into it and we are prepared to give grace to each other when we can. There is decidedly less daylight now, there is snow on the ground, and we (Monkey and I are at least) are starting to plan out when we can decorate the house for the winter holidays :D