The lull

Never fear  my pretties.  I'm still here.

I survived the Christmas knitting and crocheting season - my first one where I went full throttle.

I think crafters deserve their own superbowl - don't you?  We should have some sort of event where we all show up in a stadium and have people cheering us on as we finish the countdown to presents under the tree, methinks.

What got done:

• Hat and fingerless mitts for my cousin
• Gaiters for my brother, brother-in-law and sister
• dishcloths for each of my gal pals in the C600
• Mittens and hat for my BFF
• Scarf for my honey (okay, that technically got finished last night but it's still before the new year)
• Fingerless mitts for Ms. Nat
• Hat for The Lacrosse Dude
• Hat for College Girl smarty pants
• The massive shawl project for my mom
• 3 pair of fingerless mitts for three lucky clients
• 1 pair of mittens and one chevron scarf for my sister-in-law

(go ahead -- applaud - I started in October.  Oh.  And I only retaught myself to knit this past year.  yes. I'm bragging.  I'm unselfconscious that way).

Oh, and while my sister was here she spotted (and liked) the sample version I'd done of the Hurricane Hat pattern in mint green - so I gave it to her.

All gifts were received with glee and exclamations about my prowess as a knitter.  Delightful.

(I'm presuming the gifts that were mailed were received with glee -- why wouldn't they be?)

What's still on the horizon?

A Notre Dame Themed scarf for Dad
Fingerless mitts for Sbelle *
a slouchy, comfy hat for TJane *
Warm cozy footies for Butter *

And yes! I'm dying to start making myself something yummy too.

Oh. and the designs I have in my head for a January grand opening....


Never, never dull here sweetpea.

What about you?  What's lingering and what's next on the needles?

* These are the c600 gals - I let them each pick a body part and a color for me to create them something one-of-a-kind!  (and of course, it bought me more time!)

One week to go

So my excuse?

Despite having knit, off and on, for the last several years, this is the first full year that I would consider myself a "knitter"  (i.e., a person who spends all her discretionary income - limited though it is - buying yarn, needles and other related goodies).

That's why I seemed to think it was a good idea to make most of the Christmas gifts this year.  In October.  Hell - October was 2 months ago.  What the heck have I been doing with my time since then?

Oh, sure, I've been working - you know coaching, talking to animals and ghostwriting.  And every once in a while I've been socializing (knitting though has really helped me indulge my introverted side) and even volunteering.

Still.  I woke up yesterday and whispered, "I need another week." Michael rolled over and smiled, saying, "you HAVE another week."  I pouted.  Saying I needed one week after that week.

So, do you remember that scarf (the ionic) that I was going to make for my cousin? (you can see it in it's infancy - so full of promise - here).

Frogged it.

Just wasn't what I wanted her to be is all.

Still.  I was enamored with that yarn.

I decided to make another Hurricane Hat using it.

Sadly, the yarn looks like an awful camouflage in that pattern.  But it's too late to turn back now.  This may be the hat I'm wearing all season.

Here's what it looks like so far -- you don't need to spare my feelings, I know it's "original" at best....

I have finished a couple of other project these past few days -- thus the not writing here...sorry

A larger version of the Thistle Cap

Here's what the first version of the Thistle Cap looked like.  I did 4 repeats of the cable pattern, should have done one original and then repeated 4 times for a total of 5.  Thus - small.  (my head isn't as big as I thought)

And I finished the pair of mittens for my BFF.

I'm aware that from that lame-o photo you cannot tell it's a mitten.  But trust me, it is.

That's about it.

Oh.  And lately I've been learning alot about counting.  (not just days in the calendar either).

Have a super week and we'll talk soon (ish).

Make Money from Your Passion - Or Not?

Interesting juxtaposition today --

This morning I read this thought-provoking post from the impressive and wise Tara Gentile, Stop Trying to Make Money from Your Passion.  I think the woman has her head on straight and even if I don't always go 100% gangbusters for what she's saying, I still like that she's saying it.  Tara doesn't regurgitate everyone else's stuff when it comes to helping crafty peeps (and others) with their businesses.

Still, there was a little, teeny tiny part of  me that thought, "Hey, what about that old chestnut that if you do what you love the money will follow?!"  (a particularly fine chestnut indeed - in fact every single time I've ignored it, I haven't made a dime.  Or I had to beg, and plead and sell my soul to make one...)

Then I came across this video from the Wall Street Journal (!) with Artist Magda Sayeg - the "mother of yarn bombing."  She seems to purport the idea that you just do what you want to do and fame follows.  Almost miraculously.

Obviously I'm a realist.  Money comes when you have a plan.  You change the world when you intend to do so by living your truth.  Living your truth is the first part though.  All those other really awesome effects on others -- they come because you did YOUR thing.  Your way.

I think artists are generally truth seekers - looking to live by our own code.  Our truth (my truth anyway) is that if I stay true to the core of me -- the absolute highest and best -- and strive for that in my work - because I truly love it, all the side effects (of changing lives and the world) come as an afterthought almost.  But it comes.  You can't make money for sure if you don't have customers.  Still, it's important to not try to be something for the people you think should be your customers that you're not. 

Did that make sense?  I say be who you are.  Do what you love.  Observe and reflect on the way you positively affect others and the world around you.  Mix and tweak and repeat.  Build your business from there.

I feel so much smarter today

And that's because I read the wonderful little e-book from Space Cadet Creations, "Launching into Hand-Dyed."  I joined the Space Cadet email list a few months ago because I clearly have an addiction to hand-dyed yarns and once I saw their creations at Fibre Space, I was hooked.

I'm a pretty brazen crafter.  If I see something I like, I buy it and then jump headlong into it - meaning there are some early creations knitted with "busy" hand dyes that probably could have benefitted from me having the wisdom in this little treasure...

However, my favorite part?  The part about caring for (and washing) your hand-dyes.  Yes.  The girl who doesn't even do her own laundry (reminder - tell Michael again how awesome he is) is excited about this handy chapter!

Anyway, as you know my brain is already too big to wear a hat - so now it's even bigger, thanks to my friends at Space Cadet Creations!

My Brain must be Oversized

Last night I finished the first mitten for my BFF. (Don't worry, she doesn't read blogs, so I'm pretty sure I'm in the clear here). [And when I say finished, I mean ABT and, you know, finishing]

Isn't the yarn yummy?

 I made another pair, intended for her (the blue ones in this Mittens post).  They just aren't good enough I'm afraid.  She's a forgiving and kind friend, she can't believe that I can actually make stuff with needles and yarn, so she'd dig them.  However, I'm turning into a bit of a critic.  Of my own work.  (I have nothing but praise for anything anyone else makes - really - this is my double-standard)

I cast on with the rainbow-y colored Manos last night and REALLY LOVE the way they look. (Um, I somehow lost the tag so I can't tell you what color these are exactly.  I'm sorry about that)


I've been wearing the blue mittens too - they are WARM and cuddly.  The yarn is soft and warm.  It does sort of get fluffy -- probably because I'm constantly hanging on to a leash with each hand when I wear them.  Still.  I love them.

She will love hers too.  (Hopefully they will be up to snuff.)

*************

Oh yeah.

My brain. 

It must be oversized because every hat I make is too small for me.  But it seems to fit my model.  Sure, she's a teenager and overall I'd be happy to find a way to get back into the jeans I wore when I was senior in High School -- but I didn't know my head expanded with my waistline.  Maybe though - it's just that my brain is so big.  And getting bigger.  I have a vision of 10 years from now I'll look like one of those aliens in the movies from the 70s.

So. I Cheated.

On the scarves I'm making for Christmas.  And the last pair of mitts to make for that new client.  And the mitts that the daughter has been clamoring for (What?! the 4 week knitting class and all the trimmings weren't enough?! j/k the mitts are coming.)

What else am I cheating on?

Creating the home study class that is sitting, nearly fully formed in my head.  (I tell myself that knitting is an excellent gestational tool)

You see.  I really, really wanted to make this Thistle Cap:

http://feministy.com/blog/holiday-hat-kal-thistle-cap/

 

I could think of nothing else.  (I'm told that this happens to knitters all the time - this obsession with an idea or project that will. NOT. be. Quelled.)

It was distracting.

So yesterday I made a quick trip, in the pouring rain, to Fibre Space to purchase yarn for the Gaiter I'm going to make my brother.  (BTW, he's going to love it.  I selected a tweedy 'cherry' color by Tahki Yarns-Tara Tweed.  It's #16 if you want to look for yourself.)

For a girl who hates every other kind of shopping (clothes, shoes, groceries) I can't seem to get out of that shop.  I spent a good half hour shooting the breeze and fondling the yarn.  I was still holding a picture of the Thistle Cap in my mind.  I spent an inordinate amount of time at the St. Denis Section. I had a hard time choosing between the Magenta and the Peony.  (Maybe if I'd been able to see the name of them both I would have picked Peony - they are one of my fave flowers).

I picked Magenta.

I flew home, and after a very wet dog walk and extended drying session (with two chow-mix dogs drying after flooding rainfall is...tedious), I cast on 88 stitches to get started.

After dinner I swore I was going to work on Michael's lovely but boring as hell scarf (K4, P4 over and over and over).  And I did.  For an hour.  But that hat was CALLING my name.

So, it's done now.


When my lovely hat model gets home from school today, I'll take some pictures to show you how adorable it is.  However, it seems a little shallow.  That's probably something I did.  I probably shorted a repeat.  Sigh.

I'll have to do it again.  But later.  I can't keep cheating this month away.  There is much to be done and if I cannot figure out how to add more hours into each day (so far nothing's worked) I'm going to have to stick to plan.

Off the Needles and Into the World

Knitting is my reward.  I'm doing my best to remain focused during the day on tasks and to-dos so that I can keep my business running.

That sounds a bit dire.  My business is fine.  It's running.  My clients are funny and smart and frankly changing the world when they step into their own power.  It's pretty amazing and the most miraculous work.

My business is ever evolving.  My attachment to specific tools and modalities is waning as new things show up.

Knitting keeps me calm through these evolutions.  Re-inventing your business as part of your business model isn't easy and it's certainly not for sissies.  (But neither is changing the world).

Here's what I've got on the needles today (started on Sunday, hope to finish by Sunday the 11th):

It's the Ionic Column Scarf by Patricia Kalthoff – Holiday 2009 Interweave Knits gifts.  

I love this Miss Babs yarn, "Violets in the Grass".  My favorite part is the deep purple pieces.  yum.  This is for my cousin - the one I "pulled" in the family holiday grab-bag.  I've met her only once so it was sort of hard to select color and design.  But she's a dancer and an artsy gal and they live in Vermont.  And her husband - my 'little' cousin Chris is a pretty wise soul - crunch granola, artsy and very smart.  I suspect she'll appreciate this.

I'm not crazy about the decreases in this pattern and how thin it is in the middle.  When I make it again I think I'll alter the decreases and keep it wider in the center.

Another Gift Completed >phew!<

Last night I made a Girly Gaiter for my sister's Christmas pile.

I used the Red Heart Eco Ways in Bark that I had left over from my B-I-L's Gaiter and pulled out some Lion Brand Fun Fur that has been in my stash for a few years.  (I really can't fathom why I bought so much of that stuff -- just goes to show you how your tastes change).

I used the Snowy Day Neck Gaiter pattern that I used for 'His' and simply combined the two yarns for 'Hers'.  On Hers I dropped the fun fur for 2 rows after the initial garter bumps and then picked it up for two, and so on, ending with the combined yarn.  I think it's fun and cozy and girly...perfect for my little sister.

And better yet -- took only an hour or so from cast on to bind off. And any messed up stitches are hidden by the fur.  (Maybe that's why I'd bought so much!)

I've had a blog since 2004

This surprises even me.

I just spent the better part of an hour deleting and merging about 11 different iterations of "me in blog form" into three sites here on Blogger.  I like the way Blogger is easy to play with and figure out how you are and what you're trying to say.

I know the blog-o-sphere is crowded.  I'm okay with that.  People having the opportunity to find their true voice is a good thing in my opinion.  Those who are lucky enough to figure out their mission and purpose here generally get found.  I still believe that no matter how crowded the blog-place is, the good and passionate and true are found by those who most need them.

Sure there are ways to do it faster and lots of "gurus" willing to hawk ways to make it happen.

Since 2004 I've been there and got a lot of t-shirts as they say.

I do my best to remain up to date on my professional site, and I want to do my best to be even more "real" on these blogger sites.

Now that I've written that I've gotten some clarity.  I have to be equally TRUE wherever I roam, don't I?

Anyway, what's on the needles today?  Another Ionic Scarf using Miss Bab's Violets in the Grass.  I adore it.

ABT and a Gaiter

I have to say I'm pretty pleased with myself.  The pattern held up in the second mitt, although it's slightly (like an 'nth') shorter than the first.  Guess I held tighter the second time round.

Now it's all over but the thumb.

I think of thumbs the way many of my Ph.D. friends seemed to think of their dissertation.  (or at least the way I think they thought about it...what with all that talk of being ABD?!)

At the moment I'm ABT (all but thumb).

Oh, and sewing in the ends.

Here it is:

It's a quick and easy knit.  I spent the last hour and half on the mitt and filling myself in on the doings at Creative Every Day which for some reason I've rarely visited.  Odd that - several of my clients are 'regulars' there and several other bloggers I follow have the little picture on their website.

Oh. That's right.  I never added it to my "official" website because even though doing intuitive advising, animal communication and hand reading is rather a creative way to make a living, I never really thought of it as creating every day.  Despite the fact that I've pitched a column on Creative Life for a local paper and am still waiting to hear back from the editor.  Frankly, I think it's such a good idea I'll just do it all myself.  (Maybe even here  - but that's a thought for another day).

************

And the Gaiter. 

When I asked my sister if her hubby liked scarves or hats, she responded that he said he likes Gaiters.  Except she spelled it gator.  And my Sweet Man had a google image fest and found pictures like the one here, and here.  While adorable, I'm pretty sure my BIL wouldn't really want.

I went to Ravelry (I'm PeggieArvidson there if you want to check in and chat there) and found several gaiters.  Some for legs and hands but I was pretty certain he was talking about the neck.  He rides his bike to/from work most days, despite the weather, and I figure worrying about a scarf whipping you in the face wasn't his idea of safe riding (he's very into safety) - so he probably wanted a warm neck without issues of visibility.

Yesterday, this Snow Day Gaiter pattern by Sue Jackson was selected, and I ran out and purchased some yarn.  The whole piece knitted up nicely during the span of my evening TV watching.  Quick and relatively easy to knit, but enough going on with the pattern to keep it from being crazy-dull. Oh.  And it's a gaiter, meant to fit around the neck - so not nearly as time consuming as a scarf!

What cha' think?

What's left for the seasonal gift giving?

• 4 dishcloth/washcloths.  I'm making them in Dragonfly, Martini glass, Peace Sign and one that's still be determined;
• Gray Berocco Remix scarf in a very dull (but lovely looking) K2, P2 pattern for my sweetie
• Hat and mittens for a BFF
• Scarf and mitts for my sis (although I may make her a gaiter too -- not in the same yarn, but the same pattern, they are sort of a matchy-cute couple, after all)
• A gorgeous but time consuming (and rather dull) crocheted shawl for mom
• A Notre Dame themed scarf for Dad
• Another pair of the simple mitts for Nat;
• Hat for Ry;
• Gaiter for my brother
• And an Ionic Scarf (loved that pattern) for my cousin (we have >hundreds< of us on my Mom's side, so we simply pull names out of the hat for each cousin, cousin's spouse, aunt,  & uncle)

Sure, it SOUNDS like a lot to do, but I've picked patterns I'm familiar with, yarn that I love and gauges that should knit up quickly.  (I'll let you know how my fingers and hands are feeling come December 24)

The good news is that I'll have something to post for Blogher's December challenge.  Yay for me.

What's up with you this season? Are you creating gifts? buying them, or simply waiting for the winter to be over?

The Fingerprint Translation Mitts

Don't worry dears, I've been knitting, even if I haven't been writing about it.  You see, I spent most of my free time this week trying to create my own design for fingerless mitts.

some were too small. 

some were too big.

some were way too long (should have just closed 'em off and called them mittens)

too tall

and some were just argghhh!

could not figure out how to knit in round and create thumb space

I stopped by my LYS on Thursday night and chatted with all the helpful folks there.  Micah showed me the mittens he was making based on the general guide in Ann Budd's "The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns." 

The next day I downloaded the pdf version from Interweave and had a look see.  I grabbed some yarn and went to town.  Today, there is a finished mitt that I'm pretty proud of.  I'm calling them "Fingerprint Translation Mitts". 

Debut of "Fingerprint Translation Mitts"

I went on this mitt frenzy because I offered everyone who ordered a Slice of Insight from my Thanksgiving sale (you know, over at my 'real' job) a free pair of mitts with their order. 

Then I got bored with the pattern I was using.

I got bored

I'll fine tune the pattern with the rest of the mitts for my delightful clients and then print it up for you all.  What do you think of that?