adjusting

There is more adjusting for me going on then I expected since Blue has arrived.  I knew it was going to be a change but I am not sure I knew how much.  More change comes tomorrow.  It is my last day in an office for a bit.

I was going to write last Sunday.  In my head, there was a plan.  That was until I spent four hours teaching ice skating.  Then there were no plans in my head except taking the time to sew.  Which was very restful but not writing.

The thing I noticed most about being in the office and still coaching plus adding the small boys in, is that I have less time to create.  I am also creating different things.  Which I admit to having fun with the plain carpentry I am doing.  I am not going to get back to that until this weekend though.  One more day in the office and the same day coaching.  If my body does not come to a standstill on Friday, I have done well.

Blue and I are actually typing this.  Most afternoons and evenings I give his Mom a couple breaks.  He "helps" me with what I am doing.  Yes, at this point in his life it is sleeping in a sling on my chest so I can have both hands free but it is his job to sleep and grow.  My job to love on him.  I am a quiet spot.

I am hoping to finish a couple blankets to go in the cradle.  The octopus was a quick crochet while we were waiting for him to be born.  It sits in his cradle.  Little steps forward.  It is all I ask.  I still have pajamas to finish for Christmas.  And my Beloved has asked for his own sling and four shirts.  Yes, my life.  It is a good life.  A happy life.  Peaceful?  In a strange way, yes.

it has been started!

At Thanksgiving, I made everyone stop at Tolt Yarn in Carnation, WA.  The Tall Short Person saw a picture of the Emma Shrug created by Carrie Bostwick Hoge and liked it.  I had her go pick out some soft yarn, because what the shrug was knitted in was not soft, and I started it.

I have to admit I am going more for feel then actual recreation.  The yarns are so different.  Knitting and crochet are so different.  This is all I can do.  I may end up making two more for another Faeire and an Alien in my life.  The Alien's may be made out of yarn that I spin.  The other Faeire may actually have the same yarn as this one.

After tomorrow morning, I will have solitude for an indeterminate amount of time.  I would have much more solitude if the library delivered.  If the library delivered, I might actually do grocery delivery as well.  Especially this time of year.  Crazies.  Lost.  And one of the library systems is have a five day weekend.  I will be dramatic and put my head to my forehead.  Catastrophe.

I am going to try very hard not to over fill the days but that might be difficult.  I have much I need to do and much I wish to do.  The list is getting longer!  Yes, I am keeping a list for what needs doing so I do not forget something.  Or ask a question.  Currently, one thing off the list is a wonder!

making an afghan

This week has felt wild!  My body is not used to riding a bicycle every day anymore.  I have achy joints!  And my body is not used to all that sitting either!  

I did update the sour cream raisin pie recipe that my Dad approves off.  I am still slightly tweaking the oven temperature.  He thinks that it could just be a tad moister.  I feel like I won!  Cake and pie!  Wahoo!

When I went and saw my parents in October, I left an afghan with my Dad.  He was looking for specific size and weight.  I totally understand in this crazy family.  I am not mending a security blanket that is 32 years old.  I need to buy more of that yarn.

I was thinking that this would give me permission to make another afghan.  No clear plans but soon.  I was on Instagram and came across the rustic granny square (I think).  It is very lacy and I am drawn lace currently.  I was able to find the pattern posted and gave it a try.  I did not use the whole pattern, just the center.  I like how it is turning out.  I am using the mini skeins I had purchased for mending.  I can still use them for mending but now I will have a wonderfully colored afghan out of those as well. 

This is going to be much lighter then the one I gave to my Dad.  I was thinking that I might make it a size that would work as a shawl too.  Fold it in half into a triangle and wear it.  I am also using the same pattern for the dress I am making.  

I have really love to create.  Being back in an office is feeling very soul sucking.  It will help buy more yarn, books, and fabric for a little bit.  I just need more control.  And patience with the library!

a sweater for a bear

I know I mentioned earlier this summer that Koda Bear had picked out yarn for a sweater for himself.  Touched all the yarns in Tolt.  He chose this gold yellow.  I have been working on it since.

I did not have a pattern.  I worked on it.  I took it out.  I started again.  I changed that bit.  I tried the body on him at one point before I started the sleeves.  He tried it on for me after I finished one sleeve the first weekend I was up in the Pacific Northwest.

I finished the sweater in time for the second weekend.

I put a heart in it to show which was the back.  Also, to remind him that this sweater was a grandma hug for when he was missing me.

I finally convinced him to try it on.  He twirled.  This was about as still of a photograph as I could take!

He wore it until he got so warm he was sweating.  It took about 30 minutes.  The red house was warm but not really that warm.  The bear picked out very warm yarn.  But I think he likes it.  He knows to give it back to me when he out grows it.  Either to be made into something else, or possibly fix it, or add more yarn to make it bigger.

Have hook.  Will travel.

octopus

It may sound crazy but I have been working on crocheted octopus this weekend.  I have a baby shower to go to and I decided to make one as part of a gift.  I usually bring a hat I have made.  A hat is a simple thing but actually is shown to increase mortality rates in babies.  It has everything to do with small babies do not regulate their temperatures well.  

Recently, it has become apparent that crocheted octopus calm babies.  Especially newborns.  Then tentacles feel like the umbilical cord.  It is especially true with premies.  They do not pull out all the cords and tubes they are attached to if they have an octopus near.

This green octopus and hat are going with me to a friend's baby shower this weekend.  I do not dread my friend or the giving of gifts.  The shower has on the other hand.  I do not enjoy parties like this so it will be interesting.  I can always come home for a cup of tea and hide in a book afterwards!

I stuffed both of the octopus with wool.  They are machine washable and the wool heads will act like a dryer ball in the dryer.  The yarn is cotton.  Wool is antibacterial so life is good.

I made the yellow one for Koda Bear.  I figured why not.  The green one I kind of followed a pattern.  The yellow one I did not.  I like how I made the yellow one better.  I know of one more baby that will need an octopus so that is a good thing.

Koda Bear said the green octopus for the baby did not need a face.  I liked the short person's opinion.  But he did believe the hat should be worn by the octopus.  If you pull the hat down, the octopus looks more like a squid.