Knitty Gritty Thoughts

Keep on keepin' on

I know I've been a bit quiet lately, not only on my own blog but on commenting, responding to comments and general email chitchat.  I'm going through a quiet, reflective period in my life. 

As many of you already know, my hubby is currently deployed to Iraq.  I certainly am familiar with deployments and separations.  We've been through multiple deployments and even when he's "home" he's never really "home" (fellow military wives know what I mean.)  My husband has been gone almost 3 and a half of the last 5 years.  Yes 5, that is not a typo.  It can be tough, but you get used to it quickly.

We recently hit the 12 month mark time frame that he's been gone, this is the time when normally he would be home.  For me, the 12 month mark was like running full speed into a brick-wall you never saw coming.  It was painful, I never expected it to throw me off balance as it did.  I've had other friends in the same situation who went through the same thing also say that the 12 month mark was hard for them.  The good news however is that when he comes home this time, after out-processing and all that by the end of summer, he'll be home for good.  That sounds so nice I'm going to say it again, for good. 

I come from a long line of procrastinators which may seem funny when I say I'm not a patient person.  When there is a decision to be made I like to review my options and make it quickly.  When he returns it means he's going to get a regular job, that we'll most likely move again even though I just moved less than a year ago to NC, but this time it should be permanent.  It means that we'll be settled down, that we'll be getting on with the rest of our life.  And I'm anxious.  I'm anxious to start making those decisions, to make plans and I'm having a very hard time standing still, being patient for that time to come.

Decluttering in it's own way has been cathartic for me, I've moved so many times that I know that I don't love much of this stuff enough to drag it around again.  I'm working hard to simplify and refocus my life so I can enjoy the big things without sweating the small stuff.

I've also been reflecting on what is important to me in my own life and rethinking what I want to spend my time and energy on.  Instead of doing things just because I've always done them I want to reassess -

• are they making me happy?
• do I enjoy doing them?
• if not - then why do them?

Obviously some things you "have" to do even if you don't enjoy them but I've found that you can keep those to a minimum.  Even cleaning is simpler now with decluttering.  There is quite simply, less things to keep clean, less things to put away and a place for everything.  I recently finished up my closet and bathroom cabinets and it feels so good!  I'd be happy to share tips if anyone is interested.

I'm trying to slow down, to find happiness in the little things - getting up early to sit outside and watch the sun come up with my dogs.  Curled up in a chair reading a book.  I'm even rethinking my knitting projects, trying to focus on those that bring me enjoyment.  Anything I feel like I have to slog on is out the door and I'm having fun casting on, on a whim, just because.  Try it, you'll enjoy it. =)

Anyhow - so you'll have to forgive my silence for a bit longer as I begin to refocus, to re-find my voice and discover anew who I am and who I want to be. 

I finished Tiramisu - it was a lovely, easy crochet project that I would highly recommend for a beginning crocheter' (is that even a word? ;)  It took me a long time to find the perfect, coordinating ribbon, in a lovely slate grey.  I don't have a recipient in mind so for now it goes into my gift cabinet until the perfect opportunity comes along.  Ravelry details here.

I also cast-on for a lovely little scarf.  It's a kit and the yarn is hand-dyed by Kim (woolen rabbit) and the pattern is from Ann. I love, love, love this beautiful, cheery green colorway.  And for knitted lace (patterning every row instead of a rest row) this is a fast knit.  (Ravelry details here)

I must say I miss chatting with you all - I hope all is well with all of you! =)  Happy Thursday!

 

Smoke Ring - Finished!

Smoke Ring
Knit Time : two weeks
Needles: US 5 16" circular from knitpicks
Pattern by Susan, you can buy it here, but I bought it as a kit of the month, here.
Yarn: Hand-dyed zephyr in mourning dove.
If you want to see it on ravelry and my zillions of pictures, click here
Want more info?  My only other post on the smoke ring is here

Project Notes:  This pattern was well written and easy to follow, and I would highly recommend it if you're on the fence about it.  I'm not a big fan of the dropped stitch base, it's beautiful on the mannequin but not as beautiful on me so I think I might rip it out and put a simple edging on.  Also, many people have asked me how you wear something like this, well I tried to show you wearing it up (...and felt a little silly, there were many NOT flattering pics and it was hard to even find one to post.  *sigh* the things I do for you guys! =)) and down but for wearing this out in public I would definitely wear it down, like a cowl.  It's quite lightweight and warm and the colors are lovely.


Please excuse the bathroom photos - it's all I can do nowadays.

Here are some nupp tips for Leah who's been waiting for me to figure it all out for here before she proceeds on this project ;)  This was my first time doing nupps and I struggled at first.  I asked for some tips and besides the great one ("Don't do them!" =)) there are lots of other good tips in the comments if you find you must do them.

Here's a summary, hope they help! -

1)   The best way that worked for me was when I am forming the nupps I  pinch the base of the stitch that I am increasing into so that it won't tighten up.  The reason nupps are so difficult to knit into is because every time you increase it's pulling the stitch tighter and tighter.  If you alleviate it by pinching the stitch so it can't tighten this makes it much easier to knit back together on the next round.

2)  On rounds where you do this and it's still too tight I recommend slipping all the stitches to the right needle and back again, stretching them gently and loosening them as you go.

3)  Many people suggest using a crochet hook to push the stitches over (I didn't try this but I bet it would work)

Did I miss any other good ones?

Smoke Ring

I inadvertently went off the blog/email radar this week.  Last minute I found myself traveling to spend the week in Virginia, staying at my company's condo while I get some training for my new job I started a few weeks ago.

So, I will finish my trip next week with more pictures but because I only had 5 minutes to sit down and say, Hi! and I wanted to show you what I started this week.

This is the smoke ring pattern by Susan (she's having a half-price sale on her patterns this week, BTW), distributed as a kit with hand-dyed zephyr from Willy Wonka Fibers.  I like the way it's knitting up but I foolishly thought I could start and finish it one week, I only have one word to say to that, NUPPAGE!  This is my first time doing nupps, and the knit 5 TBL is killing me!  Finally after about 50 of the darn things I've managed to create a system that works for me but it's still a slow process, I'm only 1/3 of the way done but I hope to power through and finish quickly.  (Famous last words right?  That's what I kept saying about rona!) =)  And I guess I should answer the question that quickly springs to mind - well what needles are you using for these nupps?  I ordered a set of the new range of knitpicks needles in the smaller sizes, it's a US5 - 16" needle and the tips are quite pointy, not as pointy as addi lace, but pointy.  How about you, do you have any tips for nupps??

Have a great weekend!