The Novel Knit Girl Blog

"Time to let go of the old one.... It's justified. It's a Brand new Year!" (lyrics to a song for the late 1990's or early 2000's - I can't remember who sings it or any other part of the song or album, but I always remember this line). 2017 brought a lot of illness for me, some frustration, stress, sadness, and some major challenges. However it brought a lot of good too. One of my biggest accomplishments this year is that I believe I succeeded in being more grateful every day. For everything. When I didn't want to get dressed up and go out I reminded myself that I was incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life that wanted to spend time with me. And I changed my lifestyle to a working from home mother - which has changed me for the better. I ended 2017 with a head cold, a date night with my husband despite the head cold, a breakdown after hosting my largest family party to date and then a wonderfully special quiet night with som...

No photos today because I finished my sister-in-law's scarf about 10 minutes before leaving for her b-day party. The good news is that she really liked it.... the bad news is that I would have liked more time to knit it a little longer and block it better (and take a picture of it!). But, it was a nice garter stitch scarf with some fun striping. I may may a similar one for my daughter after Christmas. I think I get to relax now. Just making warm warm stuff and hoping to start on a new sweater soon.

Proud Puppy Sweater by Lion Brand and I used Lion Brand Amazing yarn in the Constellation colorway. It's just too cute. Now I am on to trying to finish scarves for Christmas. It just got very cold around here so I've been inspired to give people good 'ole warm scarves this year. This works best in garter stitch, so after trying to make something more complicated, I am back to knitting each row for a simple and clean look. I'll post them when I'm done.  Another of my dog though....

Here I am. I finished a sweater. It's a pretty homemade looking thing, but I'll wear it because I made it, and because it's warm. It has a few details that I'll probably never do again, like a sideways cable yoke. Yeah, definitely not my thing. I still need to improve my seaming, but each sweater is better than the one before it, I guess. Getting ready for the holidays and right now I'm working on knitted things for me. A few gifts here and there, but not the pressure of last year. I already have the teacher gifts done, so that helps a lot! Finished the finicky hat a a pair of fingerless mitts for my sister in Seattle. Not sure lace will ever really be my thing.... Both of these gave me some trouble, but they are done and getting wrapped for shipping shortly. (I learned that I'm pretty sure I just don't like knitting with black yarn!) On to December knitting.... On the needles now, a blanket scarf for me (yay!).

I'm in Chicago today. At the Illinois field office for the lovely organization that employs me, and due to train schedules, they have been nice enough to allow me a tiny room in the back to work until my lunchtime meeting. I didn't take pictures of the big city because, you know, I'm from Illinois and it feels funny that even though I'm still always very taken with Chicago and those within it, I'm not allowed to take pictures because it should be old hat to me. I took the Amtrak down and it was a piece of cake. I regretted lugging my 800+ page Alexander Hamilton biography for the trip during my 1.3 mile walk from Union Station to the office, but I didn't regret it on the ride. I may hail a taxi back. We'll see how tough I'm feeling after a meeting and coffee. I thought about bringing knitting for the train, because I'm been doing plenty of it - but I'm having trouble with a hat. It's all so disappointing because it's going peachy and ...

Over the course of a week, I opened the box that contained my sewing machine. Then, I threaded the bobbins, cut fabric, and - you guessed it - sewed fabric together! I ended up making 5 French seamed envelope pillows. They turned out O.K. I hope my sewing skills improve over the next several months. And now, the "envelope" please.....

I finished the Herringbone cowl. It was going great until the last row or something. Or something because I'm not quite sure what happened. It just got off. So, I bound off. And the sewn bind off just went okay. I did everything right, but the edge isn't great and it is almost too stretchy. The cowl works. It's soft and warm. It really looks fine. It's just that after all that time, I wanted perfection. I'm learning that I may never be a perfect knitter. But, It doesn't stop me from doing it. Here it is: In other news, My dad turned 75 last weekend. He was 38 when I was born and I think I get my "maker" gene from him. He does woodworking and has made the beds that both my husband and I and our son sleep in along with tables and desks and cradles. We had a party at my house and I made a shrimp and grits dish that was a huge hit. Four of his 7 grand kids were in attendance and all 4 of his kids were there - my sister flew in from Seattle. It was...