It's not often that I receive many knitting-related gifts, even though I spend so much of my time talking about and thinking about yarn. This is mainly because my family and close friends aren't crafters, and wouldn't have the slightest idea of where to begin. Usually I have to accompany my well-intentioned friends to the yarn store and choose a few items for myself, and I certainly cannot complain. And even though I doubt anything could top that boatload of Turkish yarn I received this past summer, I admit that a small yarny surprise would be nice every once in a while. But the people in my life rarely disappoint, and this winter has been plentiful with some knitty surprises.
It all began with my work supervisors, who shocked me with a holiday skein of local buffalo yarn from a nearby farm. I later learned that there were multiple buffalo farms in Maryland (I must be living under a rock!) and have planned to pay them all a visit when warmer weather arrives. I imagine this yarn will be perfect for a Springtime in Philadelphia beret. Many thanks to Missy and Jim for that completely unexpected gift - and Missy writes an excellent genealogy blog, so do give it a visit!
My parents also gave me the most excellent Christmas gift ever (aside from incredibly nice pajamas) - a drop spindle and hand-dyed batt from Pancake and Lulu! Although I haven't tried it out yet (mainly because I want to read the guides about twenty more times before I attempt it), I'm really excited since it's the first step to handspinning.
The final gift has yet to arrive, as if I need anything else. I won a special prize from Yellow Dog Knitting as their 500th follower on Twitter. I will be receiving yarn and a pattern for mittens in the coming days, so come back to check it out.
Nine times out of ten, I give away the things that I knit. It admittedly brings me great joy to share my craft with the people in my life, and hopefully they'll appreciate the time and effort required to turn a ball of yarn into a wearable, useful item. But I admit, it doesn't always turn out the way you plan. You imagine the recipient opening the box, eyes wide and mouth agape, instead of a hesitant, "...Oh, you made this."
But it's not their fault. Non-crafters don't realize that good yarn might cost $10+ a skein or that we can't whip up a pair of fair isle mittens while watching a few episodes of The Office. And I realize that I'm a showoff. I want people to be shocked and amazed at my abilities. I create gifts because I'm a sap, and I want my loved ones think of me every time they put on the scarf or mittens or hat that I made specifically for them with my own hands.
With all of this said, sometimes you just have to make something for yourself. It was with that thought in mind that I bought a single skein of Farmhouse Yarns' Cotton Blossom Yarn by Dixie at Purl Soho amid a pile of yarn for baby gifts. The seafoam green colorway was subtle, soft, and full of texture. I knew I didn't need a fancy pattern, just a basic garter stitch to show off the yarn, so I picked the impossibly easy wham bam thank you lamb cowl neckwarmer. I'll share a few gratuitous pictures of myself wearing it - check out that texture! I'm sure this will make regular appearances in my wardrobe.
More de-stashing to come soon!
Over the holiday, I made quite a few knitted gifts for friends and family. Unfortunately in my messiness, I didn't photograph all of them - WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME?! But I did make sure to get a few photos of my brother's Thermis before he opened the box on Christmas morning. It knitted up super quick in Cascade 220 Superwash (and used less than one ball of yarn)! The pattern kept me interested and I picked some pretty excellent buttons from A Tangled Skein to finish it off.
But the best part was my brother's reaction of surprise that I could even make something like this. Aside from my own personal enjoyment, I'm pretty sure that's why I knit in the first place. Surely, my handknits keep my friends and family toasty, but it's more about the feeling of warmth I get by sharing these things with the people I love.
I'm working on lots of destashing / hibernating projects in preparation for the Ravelympics, so fingers crossed, I'll have more to share in the coming days.
above by Sister Corita Kent, a constant source of artistic inspiration.
via HI + LOW
So yes, I'm not dead. Life has been complicated and stressful and upsetting and changing for the better and so full of the messiness of reality in the last month. Not to mention, that foolish idea I had of trying to take 6 credits in a 3 week winter minimester.
I've been an inconsistent blogger - one with very good intentions and very little follow-through. It's an unfortunate common theme in my life lately. I find it difficult to convert my words into my actions, to make my life bigger than the things I say. But I'm still working on it, and I hope you'll indulge me from time to time to share these things here. My aim is consistent - to be intentional with my actions.
A new year always gives me this time to reflect, and even though we're nearly a month in, it's better late than never. I love beginnings. Mornings are perfect because of opportunity, the promise of what the day can bring. The start of a relationship is always so fun and light, before people become too broken and too afraid. Maybe that's why I love making new year's resolutions - it's a clean slate. I hope to keep sharing more with you this year - certainly my craftiness, and also my life. I want to be more honest and transparent with myself, so posting it here, in my mind, where all the world can see (but in reality, where a few good friends might see), I can feel as if I'm going public with these thoughts and plans, and that you, my very good friends, can hold me accountable to this.
So thanks to all of you lovely bloggers out there who follow me, who read and share your kind words of praise and support. You inspire me so much. Expect more from me.
