Yarn Along

I finally cast on the Christmas stocking for baby, who I am assuming will come before Christmas, therefore need her own stocking.  The notes on Ravelry had several people complaining how big it was.  I never checked my gauge, but I’m worried it will be too small.  This is my break from designing a project, though, so I refuse to rip back.  Doing the collar on the Clarity Cardigan 5 times before it was perfect was enough ripping for me this week.  It’s wool.  I’ll make it stretch.

I am just using leftover yarn from other projects and so it’s doubly fun not only to knit from a pattern for a change, but knit from my stash.  I feel like I’m crossing things off my list left and right.

A picture of my math notes for the Clarity Cardigan that is being checked right now.  And people said I would never use math…

My sewing/crafting space looks poorly neglected, as you can see.  Thank goodness I didn’t zoom out on this picture.  Knut was going through the mail the night before last night, and saw there was a Fall quilting retreat at our favorite camp coming up this next weekend, or the weekend of my knitting event at the yarn store.  He casually said, “You should go.  Harvest is done, I can stay with the kids.  You won’t be able to go this Spring with a nursing baby.  It’ll be your last getaway.”  I asked him if he was serious.  Apparently he was.  He knows I love going to the quilting retreat every Spring that we don’t have a nursing baby.

I cannot believe he so casually offered me a quilting retreat weekend off the cuff last minute.  However, the thought of getting my stuff together, not getting any of the things done this weekend that must get done, plus preparing the house/meals for them when I’m gone (’cause seriously, I wouldn’t be leaving him with much to work with at all, and I can tell that he’s overstimulated around the kids now as he’s adjusting to being at home again).  Anyway, the whole idea of me leaving started stressing me out and not exciting me.  So I’m dropping it.  In the past I may have taken him up on it.  Right now, I just want to be home and together, and get lots of household things done before this baby comes.  I can’t not show up to my own party at the yarn store in a few weeks, and there’s no way I can just skip town this next weekend.  It just can’t be done.

I am a bit bummed by my decision, but I see no way around it without adding stress to my life, which I know was not Knut’s intent in suggesting it.  I should dust off my Sassy Pfaffy, though, and sew something up here soon before the baby is born, even if it’s just a few quilt blocks for fun.  Silje has been begging for a new dress, which is surprising from her since she has disliked a number of things I have made for her in the past.  I’ve learned she will only wear what I make her if she has a say in every step of the process.  I can only guide her or say “no, I’m not using that fabric” (I’m not afraid to use veto power) but if I pick out something I like without her input, she will just wear it through tears.  She’s quite opinionated.

We’ve done a bit of dress shopping lately, and apparently she doesn’t like anything out there. (She’s not into the current styles of short skirts and leggings, which…well I can’t argue with that.  I’m glad she’s not into it.)  Anyway, she thinks it would be simpler if I just sewed what she was thinking.  I’m not so sure…

At least for the purpose of getting this crafting space cleaned up it would be good to at least think about sewing something up.  It’s hard to even maneuver in there!  It’s become the drop-all space for anything I don’t have time to deal with yet want out of reach for the toddlers. 

For reading, we’ve finally gotten to a read aloud this year that we all like: The Sign of the Beaver.  The older 2 kids and I are reading it before bed along with a sequel to a book (Homer Price) that the kids have really liked in the past.  Both are good so far!