It Is A New Year, Huh...

2020 has weighed on many of us heavily. We have lost loved ones, acquaintances, & kind strangers we only learn about after their death. 

I hope for nothing more than that we do not give up on ourselves. Don't give up on the possibilities. On every rough side of the mountain, there too is joy and discovery. Don't discard the beauty that life has to offer. 

Every year about this time, i read Earnest Hemingway's "False Spring" story from the book, "Moveable Feast". It stayed with me that even though the winter is so hard, it feels as though a child is dying- there will always be Spring. There will always be newness, there will always be revitalization. 

The power of these things should not be taken for granted or dismissed. 

I long to see you on the slick side of the mountain. 💜❤️ 

#NiwPlaying Keshi "Bandaids". 

#KnitTipTuesday

Project density, yarn usage, & shaping are the differences between fair isle and double knitting. 

I have a preference for double knitting because it removed the issue of pulling and bunching that you get from fair isle and even intarsia. 

I also like to use it as a cover for a secret pocket (this excites me a whole lot) because the seams are hidden behind the image. It is best to add the pocket before double knitting so your design yarn covers the seam. 

💜

#KnitTipTuesday 

#JoyeuxTricots

Filed Under: Scissor Happy Shenanigans

You're probably wondering how I got here and to be honest, I'm not quite sure. I'm thinking hubris, but I'm gonna go with red wine and stick the landing on that one. 

Here goes: picture it my knitting corner , 2020. I'm in the home stretch of a project that I'm still not sure I want to publish. I'm adding toggles. There's a lot of toggles because I don't want the cold to creep in, but maybe too many toggles. Its starting to look like a Steve Harvey jacket. I realize I'm overthinking oblong wooden buttons and I take a sip of cabernet sauvignon. I'm pleased with myself for no good reason as I half progress after applying 6 of these bad boys and 2 *ahem glasses (don't ask about the size of the glass, just move along) of wine. 

They aren't aligned. The blasted buttoned have the stripes askew. I'd call myself the daughter of a cockeyed sailor, but I don't think my father would find it funny. I would and I get my sense of humor split between two parents that consistently find the wrong things funny. 

I don't even have additional photos for the shame gallery; but I removed 4 of the 6 toggles and made 3 holes. 3.

The hole pictured is the most spectacular for being cut at every row. I fail at the top, what can I say?! 

I'm off to fix this because its fall walking weather and I want Bébé to be able to wear it while his wrists are still hidden in the sleeves. 

Let's laugh about it sooner than later. 

#MotivationMonday

[Caption reads: Nicky Epstein taught me in 1 image, in this book that knitting wasn't an arduous task. Everything came into focus and became fun.] 

This single image from Nicky Epstein's 2008 book, "Knitting on Top of the World" changed my life. Sweater making was instantly made easy (but time consuming in fingering weight) and so were all other articles of clothing. 

A rectangle becomes a tube, which becomes a sleeve. This simple logic made everything come into focus. I could not just imagine skirts and sweaters, but also pants and shorts. 

I hope this visual helps you on your journey. There are so many pearls of wisdom in this book. Many methods to strengthen your skill set and spark your imagination as to what else can become possible. 

#MotivationMonday 

#JoyeuxTricots 

#KnitTipTuesday

I often share knitting tips on Tuesday on Instagram, and I realized it was crazy not to do it in my own space. 

Ha! 

Silly goose that I am. 

Is there anything better than finding the right finishing touches to a project? For me project embellishments are approached the same way as buying fiber. The moment I determine that I like what I see, I can see how it can be used. The only problem after that is using the leftovers from the projects. Lol 

How do you feel about embellishments? Do they seem like too much to you?