Once again, it’s been a while since I’ve joined along in the Yarn Along…but here we are none the less! This week, I am working on a Seamless Kimono for Maya…my soon-to-be birthday girl! She’ll be turning three on Tuesday and you might say that I’m pushing it a bit trying to get this sweater finished in time…but then I’d have to tell you that I had all but the sleeves done last week at this time and decided to rip it out and start all over. Yep…seriously!
It’s a long story…I should have checked my gauge! You simply just cannot imagine how differently yarns behave. My stitches were just too loose for my liking and I ultimately decided that I would be much happier about the whole project if I just started over. So I did using a size 6…and although my gauge is still looser than the recommended gauge (something I have a really hard time believing) I’m much happier with the look of the sweater.
As stated, I’m using the Spud & Chloe Sweater yarn in colors which Maya herself picked out: Popsicle, Ice Cream, & Grass. I have just finished the seed stitch hem and band and have started on the sleeves. There have been so many points with this sweater where I have questioned all that I know about knitting…something that by looking at the fairly simple pattern I would not have expected. But then, I guess you could say that is precisely how my parenting experience has been with Maya on a whole. It seems no matter how many sweaters you knit, or how many children you have, each sweater/child is completely different and there is still so much to learn about knitting/parenting!
As far as reading goes, I will be honest here and tell you that reading has taken a little backseat. I seem to go in spurts where I’m either reading a lot in my down time or knitting a lot…and right now it’s knitting. But I love books and I do find moments to read a page or two here and there. Right now, I’ve been picking up Desire to Inspire for little spurts which provides nice small spurts of inspiration. It’s not a deep or profound read…much of what is written is common sense and readily available all over the blogosphere. But there are some great ideas in there along with pretty pictures…and sometimes you just need reminding about certain things from time to time!
I’ve also just (as in a couple pages in) begun reading A Dirty Life. I need…NEED…to really hunker down and formulate some plans for our new vegetable garden. So I’ve picked up this piece of non-fiction about farming to get me motivated! (btw…I’m also browsing a number of vegetable garden how-to books…just so you don’t think I’m winging it based upon a memoir!)
So I’m hoping that all turns out well…for the sweater, my parenting of Maya, and the vegetable garden! But one thing that knitting works to teach you is trust…trust in the process, trust in the pattern, and trust that everything will all work out in the end…even if it isn’t perfect at every point along the way!
6 comments