Sunday, February 27, 2011

New Project entry 2

Been at it for a few days now and so far so good. Nothing I haven't done before and it's coming along rather quickly! I look forward to the times I can sit down and put in a few rows.

The pattern had me start with the back of the sweater which is good cuz it'll be the easiest part. Almost a straight rectangle up the back minus a little shaping and the armholes which I haven't gotten to yet. I'm loving the counter gadget that slides down to the end of my needle and helps me keep track of how many rows I've done. Makes my life so much easier and keeps me on track. I'm on my third ball of yarn already and just a little over half-way done with the back...I think.

Just enjoying a quiet Sunday with no set schedule which is always a blessing. I'm having a chai tea at the bookstore for a change of scenery while I knit, watching people rush by in the mall. I've always loved people watching! Anyways...no exciting stories this time around but I'll add pictures to update my progress.
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

New project

The yarn gods smiled on me today and delivered my anxiously-awaited box of yarn I ordered on Valentine's Day. 13 balls of "Wool of the Andes" yarn in camel heather and two in claret heather. A khaki tan and plummy purple color. The pattern for this yarn I downloaded and printed off a week ago. A Kimono wrap cardigan. This will be my first sweater I have ever made. I have been knitting for several years and have done several projects, all diverse in difficulty and this will definitely be the biggest project I've attempted!

First things first, maing a swatch. Something I don't normally do but very important when knitting such a large project. Gauge helps to determine the proper size of needles and in turn, the proper sizing of the object to be knitted. When making a purse, blanket, or scarf, it isn't always necessary to swatch because these items don't need to "fit" a certain size.

So I pulled the first ball of tan yarn from my box and cast on to make my swatch....no go. The size seven needles the pattern suggests are too small for my too tight knittin. Ripped that out, grabbed some size eight needles and cast on again...no again. Still too tight and not quite four inches as it should be. Rip...grab size nine needles...and cast on again...finally success! A four inch square!

Tomorrow morning I head to the store to get a longer pair of needles since I have to cast on over 100 stitches and the only pair of needles I have are only six inches long. So far so good I think. We shall see. I will be posting my progress as I continue this process! Wish me luck!
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Pictures of my yarn and swatch I made.
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Thursday, February 17, 2011

New blessings, new beginnings

It's been a long time since I've been on to post anything and there are so many things going on not to document the monumental changes occuring in my life right now!

First things first... I'm happy! Genuinely and completely. I am single and have been for several months now but life is SO good!

I attribute a lot of my happiness to the amazing changes God is bringin into my life right now. I have discovered a new family, a new home at Adventurequest church. I look forward to going every Sunday and every time I leave that place I take something away with me. I am learning so much about myself and I can feel a difference. I can't help but be optimistic and happy and eternally and endlessly grateful. I have met some truly amazing people I am proud to call friends. I take every day as it comes and don't take any opportunity for granted.

I recently broke my foot after slipping in the snow. Not once was I upset or down about it which really surprised me. It has been an amazing experience. Truly humbling. I am NOT one to ask for help and I had to learn to do that, knowing that i would do the same or more for the people that assisted me. Every day has been a new challenge from getting used to using crutches to driving with a cast on to working at a job where I normally stand all day. Suddenly everything was more difficult but I did not give up and always managed a way to move forward and get things done. It truly made me grateful for the gifts i have been given and above all, the people I surround myself with. My friends dropped off movies and food, even a coloring book and crayons so I wouldn't be bored, my bosses let me sit on a stool so I could still do hair colors and cuts at the salon and my co-workers took over my nightly duties i could no longer do with no complaint. My parents have been truly amazing bringing me leftovers, driving me to and from work when the weather was bad, helping me pick up the house and vacuum, taking me to the grocery store, and doctors appointments, more than I could have ever asked or hoped for. They have now joined me at church and have been making a new journey of their own, adopting a local family in need at Christmas time and making sure they had a reason to celebrate! My mother just bought me a new bible for Valentine's day after I showed an interest in expanding my knowedge and I have made it my goal to read it front to back. I am currrently only 30 or so chapters into Genesis but it's fascinating and I try to read a little bit every night and I'm amazed at how much I'm already learning!

Life is good.

God is good.
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