Going ... going .... gone!

Don't forget to change your bookmarks...the coffee is on!

Moving day...

I have moved....please come visit me at my new home.

Hope you had a happy Easter!

ahhh, it feels so good ....

I am so glad I am knitting again! My pictures aren't great because my camera went dead today so I charged it and then had to use flash. I know there isn't a lot of progress on the sock, but I got to get away this weekend with my girls for a shopping trip. We had a great time, and I did manage to get a little bit of other knitting done in the motel room. I am really enjoying this sock. I really love the yarn!

I also got Stephanie's new book. I was so impressed with the picture on her blog (and a zillion others) that now I want to go to New York and find the same place and take a sock picture. For now, my sock will have to be content to show itself on the book. Hopefully I will not be on the same sock when I finally make it there!

The other day, I was startled quite a bit by this:

I am not exactly sure what went through my mind, but I was quite taken aback until I saw the grin. He loves to startle me in mischevious ways and I have been grateful almost every day of his life for how creative and typical he is. We've always had such great, great support, but those few "professionals" along the way who told us that these kids don't require much attention in the early years have been proven wrong. And hey, if it wasn't for some of the shenanigans, who knows if I'd have started knitting again!

living up to my name!

As I expected, the sock hit the frog pond. They were too tight. It wasn't too painful to frog it all.

Today I had a little opportunity to re-knit on size 2 needles and they are so much nicer. I am using the size 1 to do the sole of the sock. The only thing that makes me sad is that I didn't get to use my new lace addis on the cuff, I guess I will just have to get some of those, too! Here is my little imp holding the sock for me. He was tired but managed half a smile.

decisions

When I started knitting again about 4 years ago, I was an uptight knitter. I knit off and on from the time I was 8 years old. If I made a mistake, I either ignored it or ripped everything out. I know I made attempts at fixing errors, but it was not relaxing to me.

Then in the summer of 2003, I discovered sock knitting. My youngest son has Down Syndrome and he had started wandering away from home. His first escapade took him 8 blocks from home and earned a ride home in a police car. He had accidentally let our dog out and decided to round him up himself. In those days, when the dog ran...no one could catch him. He was only gone a few minutes when we discovered it. We all ran different directions but my hubby had the forsight to get in the car. He almost immediately got on his trail. People said they saw him go "that way" and to this day we wonder why in the world no one thought something was wrong with the picture of a little boy, obviously one who didn't look like he should be running down the street alone, barefoot no less...in hot pursuit of a runaway dog! He managed to get downtown and some kind soul along the way knew this didn't seem right and they followed him across one of the two very busy streets he had to cross and managed to get him into a pizza parlor and called the police. We'll never understand how the policeman managed to get both him and the dog into the patrol car...and then hubby flagged him down to alert him that we had an escape artist...only to find out the little stinker was in the car. Well....after that...dear boy thought he was a HERO....he caught the dog AND rode in a police car! Then he started taking the dog out looking for the police!

Needless to say, I was a bit of a wreck. I spent sleepless nights fighting off the "what ifs", but had to realize that time after time, he was only gone a few minutes and every single time, we got right on his trail. We asked everyone we knew to be on the lookout for him and life settled back down. We know that God has shown us over and over that He has His eye on that dear child.

During this time, I decided to start knitting again...little realizing what therapy that has been. How I went from being so uptight in my knitting to confident and able to fix mistakes is beyond me. I guess I finally bloomed as a knitter.

One decision I made was that no matter what, I was going to enjoy the journey. If I have to tink and frog until I get it right...I will. I would just look at that as part of the enjoyment of the finished product. I have learned not to put big pressure on myself by thinking I have to finish something by a certain time. I have decided instead to just get it done when it is right. If I have to take it out over and over...so be it. I am learning along the way....and I am enjoying it!

I told our son's therapist once that rather than knit her socks for an occasion such as Christmas or birthday and put myself under huge pressure, instead I would do it just because and the event is to say *I appreciate you*. I don't knit socks for just anyone (especially considering I have 12 feet in my own family to knit for!) so if someone happens to get some, it is a way for me to say I am giving you my best.

The wandering of the boy has pretty much come to an end although we know a big part of that is because every single ear in this house stays pretty tuned in to his presence. He has a little more understanding that this is not cool. I often wonder where I'd be today if I hadn't started knitting again!

Where is all of this coming from? I have spent the last several months struggling along...leaving a trail of unfinished projects behind me. Some of them will eventually be completed. Some served their purpose by keeping my hands and head busy for the moment. Some of the yarn has landed in other people's hands because I couldn't ever see finishing the project I started. Some of it I still love and will either finish that project or start something else.

However...I am realizing that during this crazy time, knitting has carried me once again. If my hands aren't actually holding the needles, I am thinking about it, planning what to make or how something will work. And learning that is part of the journey also. Wow...is that satisfying? I'd say so. I can't think of anything else in life apart from my relationship with God and my family and friends that has brought me more comfort!

And with all of this, here is my latest experiment with my Louet Gems Merino...that I am loving. This one may end up in a frog pond and I think I may have a solution figured out for what to do. It looks great on but tight going over the heel. I may knit the cuff in size 2s, then switch the sole needle to a 1. I didn't like the looks of the fabric in 2s on the little baby socks I knit but I think it will be ok with the cables because I need a bit more stretch. (Please forgive the picture, I had to take it with a flash and it's a little fuzzy.)

I also have a Springtime in Paris sock started with this yarn but the pattern repeat is 6 stitches and it's either too small or too big. I may try the same solution with that sock if it works.

Ok...back to knitting!

hi ... hi ... hello .... hi

I have really managed to make a mess of my blog. I just didn't like the pink and blue so I started playing around and now I wish I'd never have done anything. I can't figure out how to get my original look back and now I get to find all my links again because I lost them all. ahhhh the joys.

I wanted to share the very fun little surprise I got from a friend the other day. Day brightener!

The card talks when you open it! My little son had a blast with it when he first opened it...he slammed it shut, then very cautiously opened it and closed it.

These little guys bring lots of smiles!

when is a mother proud?

What can I say? My 18 year-old daughter, who refuses to admit she likes to knit, made this sweater for a very special baby a few months ago.





Here's a close-up of the sleeve...the day before the baby shower, she took out the seams of both sleeves and did them again because she wanted it perfect.





And here is the picot hem.

What I loved about this whole project is that she did it all herself. She looked up what she didn't know on her own and every time I saw the progress for the day, I was just astounded at what she'd taught herself. What a way to learn, eh?


Today she just finished a sweater she made out of Manos del Uruguay yarn. She knit 3 sweaters before she had something she liked. I am just amazed at her diligence and attention to detail. I'll get a picture of the sweater when she gets the buttons on it!


I've been knitting again and enjoying it. I don't have any pictures to show...but will soon. I also have to share a picture of a very fun little surprise I got today! I remembered to bring my camera home, but will take some pictures in the daylight.