Resting Rows

In knitting, as in life, you have to take some time to rest. Sometimes that means taking a break from stitching to keep your carpals from tunneling...but sometimes it's just letting your brain rest a bit by keeping the stitches simple. Like a pair of socks in self-striping yarn with few details...

Oh, you can keep it fun and interesting by adding in a new heel (my first, actual German Short-Row heel!),

Or a simple broken rib...

But mostly it's "just keep [knitting]," rows upon rows until you have a pair of socks. This kind of knitting brings rest to my brain and soul, because thinking through other things while knitting helps me organize my thoughts at a slower pace. As my needles draw one loop through the next stitch over and over and over, my thoughts start to organize themselves a little better. 

In fact, knitting is such a habit to me now that i often work many stitches without even looking.  This leaves me free to engage in conversation or enjoy a movie with my family, all while keeping my pulse and breathing steady, even when the movie is a thriller! 

Of course, there are some patterns and designs which require more concentration from the knitter, but even these tend to have resting rows built in...a little ribbing, seed stitch or maybe even plain knitting in between the "thinky" parts of the pattern provide a place to just knit. *(insert contented sigh here)* I think of these resting rows as a little knitting nap for my brain,  and who doesn't like a little nap here and there? 

Oh, that's right. The 4-year-old with a case of FOMO fights naptime! Most of the rest of us (and occasionally even the nap-fighters) relish a rest when we can take it.

Now that I've finished those socks, I'm working on an improvised project that involves picture knits. In this project, that means texture knit into the piece that creates an image. 

There is a LOT of counting involved, and I've already done a good amount of ripping back and re-knitting in these 56 rows, but I'm coming up to 12 resting rows very soon...which is good. Soon we expect a visit from the boys, and there will be no time for rest until bedtime with our favorite, local little hooligans!

Whatever you're up to lately, I hope you'll take the time to rest a bit between the thinky things and the "gotta-get-it-done." I promise that if you take some time to refresh your body and mind, you'll find that you are more productive in the long run! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

  

Around the Next Block

It seems that I'm always wasting for something that's "just around the corner." In general, I think I am usually pretty content...but as a planner, I do like to know what to expect next! 

This week's block is a little different, but I think I know what to expect...because this sweater is ready for blocking! 

My Radvent Sweater, made for the fade
of a yarn Advent Calendar! 

My biggest hurdle in the knitting was went I got to this point, ready for the ribbing. 

I had not chosen a "main color," and I wasn't sure what I wanted to use, so I tossed the stash. What I came up with was this skein of Suburban Stitcher sock, color Boheme!

Turns out it was perfect, which shouldn't surprise me, since the fade was also from Diane! (2020 Neutral Advent, thanks Diane!) 

Hopefully I'll have some blocking and/or action shots to show you next week...we'll find out, just around the next block! 

Until then, thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Bright Spots

It's been a hard week for some of the littlest Pretties, as the boys have had RSV. Everyone is getting better now, but there were... shall we say... moments?... for all of us! 

So today, let's focus on the bright spots! Like a sweater taking shape, 

and posing as a pile of colorful stiches between knitting sessions...

A box of yarn for an upcoming baby gift...

A winter bulb opening on the windowsill, bringing forth its lovelyness to all who enter...

A knitted heart-hug for a friend who is also having a rough couple of weeks (and a box of my favorite movie candy)! 

And, last but certainly not least, the last of the gingerbread, consumed by me just moments ago. The perfect midwinter, Saturday-afternoon treat!

I hope your week was good, and that you found plenty of bright spots along the way... especially if you trudged through any hard things. 

Whatever your week brought, I'm glad you've stopped in for a bit, so thanks for that! Now, go find some fun yarn, and Knit in Good Health! 

Eight

Today is the seventh. It is also the eighth! Today marks the eighth trip this Pikachu-loving granddaughter has made around the sun, and boy did she love that sweater!

You know the knit's a hit when it goes right on, as soon as it is out of the box, and much posing ensues!

Yes, a matching sweater for Kitty...lol!

(FYI, the concert hoodie was also a hit, and it went right on, and posing ensued...but it's different with a pre-teen than with a kid still in single digits! Hahahahahaha...)

As you may have guessed by the first few photos, second Christmas was a big success last Saturday at our daughter's house! There was too much wonderful food...

The boys watched football, played with new toys and had fun...

The girls applied makeup, took selfies, and squealed over new knits...

...and all was right in our little corner of the world! 

Pop Pop and I went to bed before the ball dropped, as per usual and despite the big college game that was not over yet, and we woke up for a moment with the neighbor's fireworks... Since then, we have started to get back to the normal of a northeast Ohio winter. Part of the ritual is storing the Christmas decorations, which we did...

Well, except these sweet girls, who have entered their eternal rest. At first glance, they are still lovely, but something new falls off or comes unstitched each year...and they are tired. 

A gift from my Sister-in-Law, many Christmases ago.
I love that I can keep the memory in pictures.

As our decorating evolves in this house, I find myself using less and less of the ornaments I've used every year. Of course, if you decorate your tree with cookies, that'll happen! Still, for the past two years, I've used garland around the mirror to display some of my favorite handmade goodies, and others have found new homes. 

All-in-all, 2023 has started strong. This year will bring birthdays number 8, 12, 1, 3 and 5 for the grands, so it's gonna be a good one with lots of milestones and lots of smiles. For today, happy birthday number 8 to our Sweet Pea! We can barely believe you are not a tiny baby anymore, but we are excited to watch you continue to grow!

I hope your year has also started well, readers. While each year and season brings ups and downs into all our lives, I pray that you are treasuring the good and coping well with any challenges. Remember that you are loved, and take a moment to let me know if you have any big plans this year! I'd love to know what you are looking forward to. 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!