Karma

When I found out that my Sunday plans were to be thrown out the window because J was sick, I have to admit to feeling a tiny bit of joy to know that I could spend all day doing whatever I wanted.  I was eager to make a dent in my Cloud Chaser.  I stayed far away from the germs and knit on another floor than where the sickness was.  I dutifully checked in every hour to be sure that there was plenty of Gatorade, blankets, bananas and brown rice available.  I thought, under the circumstances, that I was being a pretty good wife.  And I did get some serious knitting done.

Then came Monday.  I was sure that my stomach was making every effort to leave my body by any means necessary.  I can't really fault my friend Matlie for her lack of sympathy and lust for my knitting stash and finished sweaters when I told her I was near death.  After all, it was my secret joy on Sunday that got me into this mess.  Karma can really do a number on you.

Watch out Matlie, it may be coming to you next.

I muddled through school today, and took a four hour nap when I got home.  Truly, I think we've been lucky as this bug seems to be only of the 24 hour sort.  We're on the mend, but not completely ourselves yet.  With a long week ahead, we're both trying to put off all but the necessities. I've sanitized much of the house, and tomorrow plan to wash all blankets and sheets that may have been missed in our cleaning on Monday night.

I did finish much of the collar I was fretting about on Friday, but this vest may forever be tainted in my mind as the one I knit while I was near death.  Hopefully I can make some new memories when I wear it.

Mitten Month

“ ‘Would you tell me please which way I ought to walk from here?’ ‘That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,’ said the Cat.  ‘I don’t much care where—‘ said Alice.  ‘Then it doesn’t much matter which way to walk,’ said the Cat.” From Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

I found myself extremely focused this weekend.  On to the finish line with many-a-project, I was.  My sweater is done and ready for steam blocking prior to wearing.   (Toshi loves it. . .or maybe she just wanted dinner?)

Joanie’s vest is as done as it’s going to be until she decides for sure on whether she wants a zipper or clasps as closures.   

I have two Little Coffee Bean sweaters awaiting new born children to warm,

and a cute bracelet from a kit I purchased last spring.

I frogged my Acorns sweater that I began last June, deciding my lack of serious progress on it meant it wasn’t going to be a joy to work on for me, and made good progress on a vest I’m knitting for a friend.  I have been FOCUSED.  And honestly?  I feel pretty darn good about it.

My juniors and seniors would say I was using Habit 2, Begin with the End in Mind, from Sean Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly EffectiveTeens.  (Guess what we’re reading in class right now?)  I have a goal.  Today begins October, and while the weather is somewhat fickle this time of year in these parts. . .cold weather is coming.  For my friends and family, this means mitten weather.  I’ve designated this October as “Mitten Month”.  Want to play along?

I’ve been so caught up in the excitement of other things that I’ve neglected some of the things I love.  I have a couple of new stitch dictionaries and technical knitting books that I’ve perused, but haven’t really put to good use.  I haven’t written up any new designs lately, and I’ve been feeling bad about it.  I’ve gotten bogged down by larger projects that I’ve neglected to finish.  To say my chi has been blocked might just about cover it.

How does this all connect to Mitten Month?  I can hear you asking. . .I’m committed to doing some design work this month, committed to completion, committed to getting some gifts in my gift basket ready for the holidays which are only eighty-some days away.  

Four Weeks + Four Designs = Eight Warm Hands

That’s it.  I’m going to knit four pair of mittens this month; designs that have been banging around in my head for a while will finally find their way out.  And just to keep my focused my intent is to write up the patterns and have them submitted or self-published by Thanksgiving.

I’m sure you’ve seen some cute mitten patterns along the way, check out your Ravelry queue, they might have made it there.  Or look through your library, I’m sure you’ll find a pair of fingerless mitts or two you’d like to cast on.  Or do a pattern search for a pair that gets you excited.  Pick a pair, knit along.  Just knit one pair.  For you, for someone you love, to donate to someone who doesn’t have a warm place to put their hands. 

No real rules, just knit mittens.  You know you want to. . .Mitten Month.  Everyone's doing it.