Thursday, February 23, 2012

Last Minute...and Sooo Slow

First of all, I want to thank everyone for their sweet comments and emails from this past weekend.  It meant the world to me and was like a great big "mama hug."  As my boys get older, life gets more difficult, disappointments are bigger and my hugs and kisses won't make it go away...not that they would allow either in public. But to be blunt, it sucks.  As their mama, I want to fix everything and it's very difficult to stand back and let them come to terms with it themselves.  There is no art to letting go, it's more like a slow amputation.

Alrighty then....now that I've managed to depress everyone, let's move on to some yarn goodness.  I finally broke down and bought a couple of books.  I've been coveting them for a while now and finally succumbed to the urge...thank you Amazon.  The books are Last-Minute Knitted Gifts and More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson of Purl Soho fame.  If you haven't ever checked this place out, I'm telling you to do so now.  Such a cool website and I can only imagine how awesome the actual brick or mortar is.  Also, they have a wonderful blog with free patterns called The Purl Bee...Love this! Anyway, I just love giving hand made gifts, so these books thrill me.  And they are so timely because a special someone has a birthday Friday and Car Guy reminded me yesterday...Yikes!  This particular person truly appreciates hand made gifts, so who am I to disappoint?

I'm making Kim's Hat with some left over yarn from the shawl I made for this same person for Christmas...so if she sees this, dead give away...oops! I'm making the simple rolled brim hat and when it's done, I'll probably add a little crocheted embellishment just to spruce it up a bit. Because everyone needs a little sprucing :)  This particular hat is in the two to four hour chapter, but for me it should be in the four to six hour chapter.  I am possibly the slowest knitter on the planet.  It's a little aggravating.  I can crochet a hat up in one evening...about one to two hours depending on the stitch.  Not knitting. Nope.  I cast this bad boy on last night and after working on it for a couple of hours, I have three inches...so I'm averaging  an inch and a half an hour.....sloooooowwww.  Here's hoping I get it done in time.

I'm also working on the Lady Kina sweater. This is a top down sweater and it's the first one I've ever done.  The pattern is for cap sleeves, but I want long sleeves so the stitches that would have been used for the cap sleeves are on stitch holders and I'll go pick them back up after I finish the body.  This is all experimental for me, so we'll see how it goes.  Dear Lady Kina was set to the side last night in favor of Kim's Hat.  Hope she's not a jealous lady.

Eventually I hope to learn to spin.  Car Guy thinks I'm batty, but there has got to be a great deal of satisfaction in the whole process. So if any one out there has a used, working spinning wheel, hook a girl up...with a reasonable price :)  Holy Cow! Have you seen how expensive those things are? 

So there you have it.  This is my world right now. Just grabbing moments here and there and knitting along. Hope everyone is enjoying their week!  Hold on, the weekend is almost here!

6 comments:

  1. "There is no art to letting go, it's more like a slow amputation." What a fantastic analogy. I get it. My oldest is 15, and it's killing me letting him make mistakes. Absolutely brutal. I want to shake him and say "DO YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO (fill in the blank)." We can only hope that all the talk up until now sinks in. Big hugs!

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  2. Letting go will be hard... we just have to reassure ourselves that we have given them the proper tools to succeed and let them learn from their mistakes.
    Looks like you have a few nice projects going right now... Kim and Kina competing for your time! :) Great job on these... I crochet but have never learned to knit. But I have looked through that bottom book at the library (with the pointy hat) and thought it was lovely! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  3. First I have to say that you nailed it about being a mom! There are so many time I want to step in, make everything peaches and cream , take away the hurt, but I can't. Yep, it sucks.
    I have been coveting those books myself and really need to just order them!
    I wish we were neighbor's...I want to learn to spin! I also want some sheep, but my husband said no way! I think the whole process would be a blast!

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  4. I am realizing all too fast that I can take away the hurt and yes, it does suck. Knowing it doesn't get any easier sucks too :)

    There was a learn to spin workshop at the alpaca farm up the road from us last weekend, I couldn't go, but am hoping they hold it again, would love to give it a try.

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  5. Hi Melissa, have been mia I'm afraid, but back to normal working hours after tomorrow (Yay) so can catch up with everyone. I have missed a few of your posts, so some good reading to be had.
    Take care lovely.
    xx Sandi

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  6. Yep, the parenting thing can hurt like heck. You're just lucky yours are still there. Having mine living 2000 miles away with my 2 little girlies has nearly killed me. You're very good to make a gift like that.

    I have a spinning wheel for sale.. but you are a bit far away. PLEASE keep trying to get to spinning as I totally know you'll love love LOVE it.

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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