The Novel Knit Girl Blog

These socks are literally taking me forever to knit. It didn't help that I had so many issues on the first one that I had to start it over twice, and now I am pretty sure I'm going to have to redo the toe on that first one because I dropped a stitch. I am on a mission to finish them soon because they have been terribly time consuming. And the worst part about it is that I'm pretty sure the rest of the knitting world thinks knitting socks is like a quick and easy thing to do - but this pair has literally been my entire February! And I want a sweater! (Why don't I just put the socks aside and knit the sweater you ask? I don't know! I'm a glutton for punishment.) So, I've been miserable for about, oh, the entire month of February. TMJ and tummy issues. I've decided that I'm having an allergic reaction to winter. Maybe this is a legit thing that I can use to get my husband to move somewhere warm in the future. Arizona dreaming.... I've also decid...

So, I'm feeling better and realized that the migraine and TMJ tension that I had last week was not, actually, going to kill me. So, I spent some money on yarn and the Scrivener writing software and I've decided to go for it. It being life, I guess. The thing is, when you are in pain and living with your emotions so close to the surface, you start to realize things. Words and plans start to mean more. I'm not trying to be so dramatic. But, it's true. You only get to do this life thing one time, and if you're not happy, you need to change. I know what I need to do to change. It's hard, and it's been put off, but when I really stop and listen to my insides, I realize that I need to get back to myself. Back to writing. knitting has been the most unexpected and wonderful diversion that I will continue for the rest of my life! I will still post about knitting and cool things I bake, and maybe - just maybe - I'll also start writing about my writing journe...

I've been knitting, I swear. I just have nothing to show for it. Socks are not a quick thing for me and I signed up for a sock knit-along. I was about half way through my first sock when I ran into trouble... two people mentioned that sock #1 (started without a gauge swatch, of course) looked small, and it was. WAY too small. Rrrrrrriiiiiiippp. So, I started it again. And, starting a sock for the second time is never really a "fun thing". But, here I am. And my sweater is also coming along very slowly but surely. I'm practicing a new technique, so it's taking its sweet time. I'm so tired. The winter makes me tired and sore. Everything wrong in my life gets worse in the winter. It's just the truth. I'm going to try some yoga tonight. I get terrible TMJ when I'm either cold or stressed out, and right now I'm a little bit of both. I never used to have TMJ, but something happened to my jaw after my wisdom teeth were removed and now the left sid...

My 2016 Goals.... I believe in goal setting. I don't always follow through on my intentions, but I like to try new things even if I have a lot of false starts.... but, no one can say that I'm afraid to try. So, here are my goals by category: Knitting: 1) Not buy ANY yarn. This will be a big challenge - and I've already failed if we are going to be technical. I ordered a little sock yarn on Etsy from this sweet little shop to start my Beekeepers quilt - which will be a multi-year project. It was $28.25. So, not crazy and I "technically" used Christmas money towards it. Also, I have a $20 gift card to a local yarn shop, so when I'm really in a rut, I can go buy some yarn for a project and support a local shop as well. I'm really hoping to keep on track with this because I've gone into a bit of a yarn debt. 2) Finish 5 sweaters. I have boatloads of yarn just waiting to be used. I'm hoping to start with a few sweaters in the new year. It w...

Christmas knitting is over. Christmas is over. 2015 is over. And, I have to say, it was all somewhat of a disappointment this year. A lot went on in 2015 that wasn't great. Here is what I finished for Christmas gifts that I haven't already posted. Some of it was okay. Some was awful. It is what is is. I'm not even posting the disaster ornaments I made for our god children.... I think I'll just advise my sister-in-law to toss them next year after I make something much better. A "beer" cozy for my father-in-law (pattern: Conceal on Ravelry) A Rib-A-Roni hat for my dad.... Gift card holders for my older nephews:  Fingerless mittens for my daughter's teacher: The 11th hour headband for my mom (finished Christmas morning)

I have a thumb cramp. I was up until after midnight finishing up a pair of fingerless gloves for Kid 1's teacher. It wouldn't have taken so long except that the thumbs were giving me trouble. I kept picking up and knitting the wrong way so there were purls instead of knits... all very  confusing and tiring when you are working on a deadline and listening to Seinfeld in the background. So.... what am I most excited about for Christmas?!? Having time to knit something for myself and opening up my sewing machine and giving a different craft a go.... I am pretty ambitious with my hobbies - sewing really scares me. Here are the fingerless mittens I've made so far. The colorful ones were for Heather's 40th birthday (a rented out theater for Star Wars - amazing) and the blue and grey are for the above mentioned teacher. I cheated for the teacher's aide for Kid 2's 4K class - she got my something gray cowl (Coquette) from a few months ago. I was just sitting aroun...

Last night my husband asked me if I'm looking forward to Christmas just because then I'll be done knitting for so many other people. My answer? Yes. 100%. Although making hand-made gifts for friends and family is one of the main reason I started knitting, there just never seems to be enough time to get it all done (there is this pesky thing I call work - oh, and the fact that I like to hibernate in the winter). Time lines are not always my friend. So far... I'm on track to do okay. I'm definitely on the final countdown though. I ended up giving my son's teacher a pair of fingerless mittens that I originally made for myself (those chevron beasts that I worked so hard on) because they are just a bit too dainty for my hands. So, that helped in terms of time management. I made 2 pair of a different Chevron fingerless mitt pattern (below) for my brother-in-laws girlfriend (birthday) and my sister in Seattle - and I have several "in progress" progress with rou...