Sunday, September 25, 2005
The Knitting "Gang"
Got a thank you note today at church from the friends I made the Domino Throw for. Part of the note reads, "It will be a family treasure for years to come." That really meant something to me. I have often considered knitting things to sell, but haven't really been able to muster up the "want to" because it (to me) is such a personal thing. Just choosing the right project, pouring over yarns to get just the "right" ones, praying for the recipient(s) before beginning, thinking of them as I knit their item. All of this goes into each thing I make & it is really hard when you don't have a relationship with the person you are knitting for.
After the big fuss made yesterday at the shower, I came home and really basked in the glow of making someone happy, and that, with my knitting, I, at last, have found a niche of some sort.
During the night, my son's blood sugar was high (he has Type 1 diabetes), so I popped in a tape of an episode of Monk I missed this season, the one where he goes to work in an office, and what an episode to see after such a day. It so resonated with me.
Growing up, I had ADD. It was undiagnosed until adulthood, but the diagnosis was such a relief. Just to know and understand and have a framework, a context, to put my behavior through. I was such a social outcast because of my ineptitude and impulsivenss in speech and action. So when Mr. Monk goes to the office and finally feels as though he fits in...well, I guess it's how I feel with knitting in a way.
I don't consider myself to be "all that" as a knitter, but the love and thought that I put into each gift somehow gets communicated far better than my awkward social skills could ever convey. To have a medium for that, well, I am truly thankful.
After the big fuss made yesterday at the shower, I came home and really basked in the glow of making someone happy, and that, with my knitting, I, at last, have found a niche of some sort.
During the night, my son's blood sugar was high (he has Type 1 diabetes), so I popped in a tape of an episode of Monk I missed this season, the one where he goes to work in an office, and what an episode to see after such a day. It so resonated with me.
Growing up, I had ADD. It was undiagnosed until adulthood, but the diagnosis was such a relief. Just to know and understand and have a framework, a context, to put my behavior through. I was such a social outcast because of my ineptitude and impulsivenss in speech and action. So when Mr. Monk goes to the office and finally feels as though he fits in...well, I guess it's how I feel with knitting in a way.
I don't consider myself to be "all that" as a knitter, but the love and thought that I put into each gift somehow gets communicated far better than my awkward social skills could ever convey. To have a medium for that, well, I am truly thankful.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
The Shawl...Part 2
Lots of (happy) tears and lots of love flowed today, but the day is finally over and the shawl has been bestowed upon its rightful recipient. The bride-to-be was radiant, graceful, and looking expectanly toward her bright future with a wonderful man.
She loved the shawl and we hugged for some time, overcome by the moment. I have known her since she was five years old. She recently turned thirty and will marry in a matter of weeks. Her little brother sang at my wedding & she and her younger sister hosted the guest book. So many of the women I grew up admiring were there, and it was just one of those afternoons that you hold in your heart to warm you.
This family was the catalyst for me beginning to blog. The bride's mom, who is my friend in her own right, in addition to being my mom's best friend was undergoing surgery this past summer. I got all nostalgic thinking about how much she (and her family) have meant to me (and my family) and needed an outlet to ramble on about it. I made a scarf for her, visited her in the hosptial, and began blogging (albeit that first post timed out and never got to see the light of day). That caused me to search for a new "blogging home" and thus, I ultimately landed here.
After the shower today, my mother and I went out to dinner with my hubby & son. My son was quite the little charmer when he came to pick me up from the shower. Many had not seen him in years and he was his typical Mr. Wonderful. The ladies were especially appreciative of his good manners (his mama is quite proud of this...so I had to brag for a moment!)
As to my drama regarding the ties, I did find something I liked better at the shop & swapped them out and overall am as happy as I ever am about any of my work, critic that I am!
When I get shawl pix, I will post them.
She loved the shawl and we hugged for some time, overcome by the moment. I have known her since she was five years old. She recently turned thirty and will marry in a matter of weeks. Her little brother sang at my wedding & she and her younger sister hosted the guest book. So many of the women I grew up admiring were there, and it was just one of those afternoons that you hold in your heart to warm you.
This family was the catalyst for me beginning to blog. The bride's mom, who is my friend in her own right, in addition to being my mom's best friend was undergoing surgery this past summer. I got all nostalgic thinking about how much she (and her family) have meant to me (and my family) and needed an outlet to ramble on about it. I made a scarf for her, visited her in the hosptial, and began blogging (albeit that first post timed out and never got to see the light of day). That caused me to search for a new "blogging home" and thus, I ultimately landed here.
After the shower today, my mother and I went out to dinner with my hubby & son. My son was quite the little charmer when he came to pick me up from the shower. Many had not seen him in years and he was his typical Mr. Wonderful. The ladies were especially appreciative of his good manners (his mama is quite proud of this...so I had to brag for a moment!)
As to my drama regarding the ties, I did find something I liked better at the shop & swapped them out and overall am as happy as I ever am about any of my work, critic that I am!
When I get shawl pix, I will post them.
Friday, September 23, 2005
The Wedding Shawl...
I'm not sure that the ties pictured will stay, but here is the completed shawlettte for my friend's wedding. Her bridal shower is tomorrow.
I babysat her when she was five & her sister was three. I was there the day her baby brother was born. I love this family so much & it is such an honor to make this for her.
For my wedding, one of our older friends, made my wedding dress. So it just feels like the tradition continues by making the shawl.
My only "project" related regret is that the crused velvet strips didn't arrive before the shower. She lives in CT, so it will be hard to make the adjustment after the fact, but my dream was to have the strips of crushed velvet be the ties, however, I may change to a satin providing I can match the color when I get into the shop in the morning. C'est la vie....I'm always perfectionistic about these things, and others are usually very happy with the results so, though I can't say I will ever really chill out about it, I need to just remember the reactions of those for whom I put love in every stitch.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Wedding Shawl!
This weekend is the bridal shower for my friend for whom I am making the wedding shawl. I'm just about halfway there (having frogged it several times, perfectionist that I am...at least about this WIP!). I have a couple of cool ideas for ending it, but am waiting on one crucial bit to arrive in the shop before I know which ending I'll use!!! Pix will follow, natch! :)
Sunday, September 11, 2005
One Domino Down!
And one to go!My first Domino Throw was a resounding success! I taught the Domino Throw class on Thursday night, and gave my first finished blanket away last night. It was for my friends' wedding reception. As they opened their gifts and got to ours, the bride opened it and gave the "score!" sign and said, "Yes! I was hoping she was going to knit us something!"
Though it was a PITHQ (Pain In The Hind Quarters) to join, I have to say, overall, I was very pleased with the design. Hubby loved it and kept saying so, so I would have to rate this one as a new design success!
Now to finish the other one!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Almost Done!
I am just about done with the fourth square of the Domino Throw. Then it's just joining & crocheting the border. Pix to follow!
