Vim and Vigor

A (long awaited) hat

Can I just say how glad I am that this boy of mine, who has waited for months, now has a mama made hat on his head? I truly had tears and laughs as I first knit a hat that was even too big for his father. Then, I knit a hat that -barely- fit his little 2 year old brother.

Oh, my.

He has been waiting ever so patiently since last July, when I promised him I would try to knit a winter hat for him. Six months was a long wait for him. However, I did keep my promise.

The pattern was found on purl soho, which is full of inspiration and ideas for sewing, knitting and crocheting. 

As the needles weave back and forth, back and forth~I find my thoughts turning to the one I am making this item for. I smiled with the thoughts of the outdoor adventures my boy is sure to have in this hat.

But, I also prayed for him as I made this hat. I prayed whatever thoughts came to mind.

I prayed for all manner of things.

That he would be a good example as a big brother to two little siblings; that he would be thoughtful in word and deed; that he would really learn from his father (who I must say is such an example of this), what it means to be a real man in this world. 

More than anything, I pray for him to say "yes", without hesitation, to whatever God asks of Him. An exuberant, ready-to-work kind of yes.

And, when he asks me for another knitted item? A scarf to possibly match his hat?

Why "yes!"

Thank goodness for do-overs.

 I did it. I did it. I did it. 

For those of you, that knitting came quite easily....I am a bit envious.  It takes a bit more work for me.  This not-your-average washcloth, was frogged 5 times.  You know.....I "ribbit" ripped it out that many times for a do-over. 

The last time I decided to start over was on our long drive to Minnesota for the holidays.  I looked up at my husband who was driving, and told him I had majorly messed this knitting up.  He looked at me and said "Don't rip it out....you've come so far." I was over halfway done.  However, I was trying not to swear I was so mad at the yarn, and I frogged it quickly. 

Then, I didn't want to think or talk about yarn for a while.  After I cooled down for a few days, muttering under my breath at the poor little ball of yarn every time I walked by it...I decided to give it another go.

Thank goodness for do-overs.  Sometimes that just what you need.

A brand new year is ahead, and I've heard from many how they cannot wait to begin 2012, and leave 2011 behind.  I've had years that I've thought the same thing.  It's like we get a do-over, and start again fresh and new.

I've been thinking a lot this past week, about areas I would like to see growth in this year.  And also, how was God working in me this past year? Do you have areas in your spiritual life that need a do-over....I know I do.

I would encourage you to take some time to write down some spiritual goals for yourself. Whether it be more time in the word, getting into and finishing a great bible study, or learning how to depend on Him more. Also, remember to get those goals into bite-size chunks, so they are manageable.  Get specific such as----which bible study, how much time each day will you devote to it, and so forth. 

This week I'll be posting some of my specific goals for the year, and I hope they encourage you to grow as well.  I know so many awesome women have encouraged me to not be complacent where I am, or to get frustrated when I fail.  Thank heaven for do-overs!

His mercies are new every morning Lamentations 3: 22-24

For those of you interested: The pattern for the Not-Your-Average Washcloth can be found in the book 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders by Elizabeth Prusiewicz .  I just used a simple cotton yarn, purchased at Wal-mart. Easy to throw in the wash...and fun to use.

Blessings,

Joy~

A new little somethin'

 

I finally got the chance to purchase some yarn to start my littlest babe of almost 3 months, a new blanket. This little babe of mine, born in the depths of winter in early December, needed a warm knitted blanket from his loving mama.  How much I needed this blanket, I hadn't realized.  What I mean by that, is this.  We have had some difficult times here in our household in the last month or so.  Not just with our own family, but with friends as well.  A long bout of sickness....where mama was the prime caretaker of a sick daddy and lots of sick children and a newborn as well.  Sometimes all I accomplished other than studying up more on natural medicines, dispensing said medicine, and comforting the sick, was knitting  a few stitches on this blanket.  It made me feel as if I finished something I could actually look at and feel at the end of the day.  It was a measurable task I accomplished, even if only a small feat.  There has been loss in a family close to ours, and once again, as I picked up my knitting, my hands stayed busy while calming my thoughts.  I spent much time busy with the needles, and busy in prayer.  When my hands are busy, it seems to help my mind focus on my prayers...and that's just what I did.  Prayer for our friends, my husband, children, including my dear little babe whom I am knitting this blanket for.

With every stitch, no matter how little they are, I thought of how they form a much larger tapestry....a larger picture.  When loss happens we tend to stay focused on those small details...the why's and how's.  God sees the larger picture...the tapestry of our lives.  He sees things from a perspective that we do not.  An eternal one, rather than on earthly one.  It is not wrong to ask why and to feel upset or angry.  Just look at the psalms.  Full of emotion!  It is truly a place of peace my heart comes to, when I bring my feelings and emotions and lay them at the throne.  When we have spent time with the One who loves us most, we come away with a changed perspective, and an ability to trust, when it is the last thing we want to do.  So, as much as this finished project will be used during this cold season, and coming ones as well.....it seems it has been as much for me as for my babe....

Blessings,

~Joy~

~100% machinewashable wool yarn from DALEGARN~

This post is a part of Works for me Wednesday}

Crafting for the boys in my life.

A little crafting got going for the little boys in my life this weekend.  Both are simple, easy projects that I can do in the little "snippets" of time when the kids are all occupied with other things, or daddy is playing with them, and so on.  I am not a super experienced sewist (is that a word?) or knitter, but I am learning, s-l-o-w-l-y but surely.  I am working up to these ADORABLE pants for my wee one come Christmas....I will make them...I WILL.  Yes, I am definitely determined to do this. 

I guess this will be a type of scarf for my littlest guy, not yet born, for when he's a few months old.  I thought I could wrap it around the front of his neck, (not tying it like you would an older child), but laying it on his chest and just overlapping with a nice looking large metal pin.  This organic yarn is so incredibly soft, I know it would not bother his skin at all, and may help ward off that nasty winter chill. My next knitting project I'll be starting hopefully this week, will be either these lovelies, or this beautiful blanket for my babe.

This is a hat made out of t-shirts and a turtleneck that I was going to give away, for they were too small for my almost 6 year old.  However, there were some really worn places on the shirts, and so instead of giving them away, I made a hat out of them.  It was a fun project, and not too hard for someone who isn't super experienced.  As you can probably tell ; ) The tutorial for the hat can be found here, and could easily be adapted for girls, as I probably will, for Miss K really wants one, too!

Hoping you find some creative time today,

Joy

 

 {This post is a part of Works for me Wednesday}

For the love of knitting....

 I am definitely a beginning knitter...however, I have been working on it here and there for maybe the past 6 months or so now.  You see, with 4 little ones and one on the way....learning new skills takes a little more time than it used to.  Also, I suppose, it didn't help that I was homeschooling, starting up a new blog, starting a Natural Living group with a friend, as well as teaching myself to sew, and oh, probably about 100 other things!  I think we all know how life gets busy...and geez, after typing that I think I need to s-l-o-w down a bit!

My mom told me once that when she looks back on her 30's she can't believe the things she did and learned and tried to accomplish in a given year.  Maybe that's why God gives us these wee ones while we are still youngish so we have the energy to keep up.....and do other things as well.  

Please don't think I am doing each of these things every day.  Oh no, God and family come first (at least that is my goal!)  Plus, I am sure it would cause major revolts to have mama at the puter (as my littlest calls the computer), or sewing machine all day and ignoring them!  I try to set limits for myself and stick to them.

As far as knitting goes, I have definitely fallen in love with the rhythm of my hands and the repetitive movement that is knitting, which lets my mind fall to other things.  My mind has a chance to wonder, pray or talk with my loved ones----and I feel as though a wee bit of myself goes into each one.  A bit of my heart goes into each little stitch, and I think of those who will wear the scarfs, mitts, or whatever it is I do or will make.  

Simple ways to love my children.

As far as knitting I originally learned how from my middle daughter.  Yep, she was 12 at the time, and very patiently I might add, taught me how to knit.  I have loved the journey of learning this new skill, yet had a few things I needed to tweak, that my daughter didn't exactly know how to help on. 

Then, I heard this book was HIGHLY recommended (see below), even if it had an odd title!  So, I bought it and have been very, very pleased.  

 See how my edge stitching is kinda loose here?  (I know it's probably hard to tell in this photo.)

{the yarn above is 100% organic lion brand....so very soft to the touch}

After following the methods in the book, here is my latest attempt at it.  No, not a pro job, yet it's definitely much snugger and neater looking.  This book has helped my knitting in other ways as well, that would be but one example.

 

 ~aren't natural fibers gorgeous...this is dyed with kool-aid!~

I would highly recommend this book as the best one I have seen so far, and I've looked at quite a few, for beginning knitters.  Did I mention I have a VERY hard time learning to knit from a book?  The pictures are usually very confusing, and the words never seem to help.  Not the case with this book...which made me SO pleased, and my daughter got a break from trying to explain things to me as well!  A win-win situation!

Happy stitching,

Joy

p.s.  In case you're wondering...I am NOT being compensated to endorse this book....just trying to help out my fellow beginning knitters....we gotta stick together!