knitting projects...

lately knitting has been on my mind, night and day. dreaming about knitting, trying to decide what to attempt next, wishing i could finish my first pair of socks and get on with something else... at long last my first pair of socks is done (well, all but weaving in the tails on sock#2). but by now i don't even want to look at them, much less wear them. the colors seem garish to me, and i liked them at first. i figured at least the yarn was inexpensive, so it was a good choice in case of major problems. oh well, i see the flaws, but the accomplishment of being done feels good to me and thus i feel encouraged to try another pair.

recently i took a class on felted clogs (child size) and got almost done with slipper #1. the only real problem is that there is a lot of counting involved in this pattern, so i always hesitate to do any more until it appears i will have some uninterrupted time! so, this is taking a lot longer than it should. i'm excited to try my first felting of a project, though, because i have chosen another that i would like to try next...

been spending more time on Ravelry than i like to admit, but at least i feel like i'm learning how to use the website, getting organized, and being inspired. also making contacts with some people far away doing things i admire. it is wonderful that such an online community exists!

handknit blessing

this made me cry. last friday i had been having a tough morning, touch and go feelings-wise, and very little to show for accomplishment of any sort. i stopped by the mailbox on my way back into the house from dropping the little girl at preschool, and found a package from my dear friend synden. she had said something was on its way, but i was totally unprepared for this! what a gorgeous shawl! hand knit by one of my dearest friends! i cried. and cried. okay, maybe i needed a cry, but this would have made me cry anyway. it means so much to me, and is so cozy, and she even incorporated some of the lovely handmade glass beads my brother jon made. i feel so blessed. on a day where i felt nothing was going right, all of a sudden there was this huge blessing, generously bestowed by a fellow knitter/artist. life is sweet, and friendship is the sweetest part of it, i think....