semele: a gift

Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that—one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Pattern: Semele
Source: Åsa Tricosa Designs
Yarn: Diamond Yarn Luxury Collection Baby Alpaca Lace (held double)

Knitting Specs: Semele


While a lot of my knitting is for other people, it tends to be for the same people, people who I know will appreciate the amount of time and effort that goes into a handmade piece. And if they don't appreciate it, well, these are people I love too much to care about that.


But I have been wanting to diversify a bit. I have wanted to make something for my Aunt Jude for a long time now, both to remind her of her mom (my Grandma) and just because I think she's quite special. This pattern was perfect for her...lots of green leaves, and airy and delicate.

floppy fairisle

Pattern: Floppy Fairisle Hat
Source: Fat Cat Knits
Yarn: Cascade 220 and Patons Classic Wool
Knitting Specs: Floppy Fairisle Numero Uno

Since I began knitting, it has been my goal to be able to knit fairisle, a multiple colour knitting technique that generally uses two colours per row. I am happy to say that I have finally conquered my first fairisle project, a lovely pattern that I plan on knitting again (and again!). I was able to use scraps for the entire project, which was really satisfying, and I love the 'flop'.

Knitting this hat taught me a lot about myself. That sounds odd, but it did. As long as I was worried about the outcome, everything turned out a hot mess. It wasn't until I was able to step outside of my own way and trust my fingers that everything came together.

One of the reasons that I put off learning fairisle for so long is that I hate not being at good at things...right away. This is a really childish personality trait that I am not proud to admit to. I speak about the value of the learning process and the worth of being humbled, and yet I don't value the experience myself. This has to change.

Here, look at my gleaming, glorious, (totally imperfect) guts.

I have been struggling (in various areas of my life, not just knitting) with the difference between striving for excellence and striving for perfection, and what it might mean to attain neither. I couldn't have expressed that until my friend sent me this quote earlier this week:

Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.

- Harriet Braiker

I need to sit with this idea for a while. To let it sink into my bones. To step out of my own way. More than anything I need to

just

keep

going.

marley

"His name is Marley...drinks malted barley..."

Every dog gets his own theme song, a spontaneous practice that has stuck around.

It's funny how quickly one can fall in love with a dog. Marley belongs to somebody else, so he won't be here for long, but already we will miss him so much.

yggdrasil

Pattern: Yggdrasil
Source: Knitting Daily
Yarn: Cascade Eco+ in Turtle
Knitting Specs: Yggdrasil

For me, the 2011 Fall term of university will forever be associated with this blanket. General Phonetics and Research Methods are all over it. My (mostly) monogamous relationship with it proved trying at times, but the final result is something I am proud of.


This was knit for my sister, who generously loaned me her iPod touch for an indefinite period. I then proceeded to break said iPod (or rather, it just up and died). Rather than simply having me replace it, my sister opted for a knitted afghan instead. In a fit of irony, the iPod recently sprang to life. This is when I decided the medium size was PLENTY of afghan and wrapped this sucker up. I am quite pleased with it, though admittedly very happy to be finished!


While I'd love to believe that Dreyfus is in love with this blanket (it will live in his house, after all), my heart knows that he is really just in love with the person underneath it.

if you can't beat 'em...

as it was

cables and trees in the golden hour

A work in progress.