{this moment}

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{this moment} ~ Following along with Amanda's Friday ritual.  A single photo - no words -  capturing a simple, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. 

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knubbelchen :: little gnome

When I pulled out my extra yarn the other day to share with Lydia, one of the unfinished projects I discovered was the hat for a little gnome that I began knitting before Evangeline was born.  The knubbelchen pattern is available as a free Ravelry download. The doll itself has been complete for quite some time, patiently waiting for her hat and a proper face.  I think I began knitting the hat around Christmas of last year.  As you can see it really is not a very large or complicated piece to knit, so why has it taken me so long to finish?  I love to knit and would spend hours of each day happily stitching away if that were at all possible or practical.  Sometimes though, the very children for whom I am attempting to sew or knit for can, with their eager interest, slow the process way down.  And sometimes I find it easier to just put the project away for another time.  

Crafting with my children is still something that I am striving to find balance in.  How to craft *with* them and still be present and not completely focused on my own work. Learning to have greater patience, and be grateful that they show such an interest in the work I'm doing.  I have found that it helps to work on simple things while the children are right there with me, and to give them materials and tools of their own to work with.  I've also found that long car rides are a fantastic opportunity for mostly un-interupted knitting time, thanks to Robert for always driving on such occasions.  

As my girls grow, I look forward to involving them in my crafting even more.  I think it may be time to get some burlap for Lydia to practice sewing with.  And I need to learn how to finger knit so that when she is ready I can teach her that as well.

How do you involve your children in with your crafting? 

EXTRA YARN

     Recently, and to everyone's delight, we've been making more regular trips to our local library.  I have some very fond memories of the library that I grew up with.  It was a magical place for me, with tables and chairs just my size.  Special reading areas for kids with funky, comfy seating.  Not to mention the seemingly endless collection of books!  Needless to say I am eager for my own children to develop the same fondness for libraries and books that I have.
     
On our last visit I spied a very special book on the shelf, that I have been wanting to get my hands on for quite some time!  Extra Yarn is a sweet story of a girl named Annabelle who finds a magical box of yarn that she uses to transform her dreary town and everyone who lives there.  Paired with such charming illustrations makes for a delightful book all around.  And the part that warms this knitting mama's heart the most is that out of all the lovely stories that came home with us, this is the one most often requested. Yes, dear girl, I would love to read the knitting book with you again!
     
When asked if we had any extra yarn, I was glad to dig out my too long neglected stash and share something I love so dearly with my sweet Lydia.  And in the process discovered a handful of *not quite* finished projects that have been patiently waiting for me to get to them.  With the days beginning to turn somewhat cooler, it seems an appropriate time to begin knitting again.  Hopefully soon I shall have some completed projects to share with you!

~ What books are you enjoying these days?  Have they taken you and yours on any fun adventures?
     

:: simple things ::

These days I find myself attempting to take each new day as it comes  and pausing to take note and appreciate the simple things that bring joy to my life.  Once you start looking you may find that your life is full of simple joys.  It is the simple things that bring true beauty and wonder into our lives.

~ Icicles melting in the warm afternoon sun.  A welcome site after such bitter cold.
~ Soft scrumptious yarn waiting to be transformed into cherished hand knits.
~ Having a dear friend watch my girl so that I can go to the store *alone* to pick out said yarn.
~ Seeing a beautiful pattern emerge from that yarn as I follow each instruction step by step. 
~ I can still pick up my baby little girl and rock her to sleep in my arms.
~ Peals of laughter from that same little girl as she plays with her Papa.
~ Getting to see and actually spend *time* with that handsome man after a long hard week.
~ Getting to stay home everyday and watch by baby grow into an amazingly sweet, funny and clever little girl.  Thanks to my wonderful husband for working *so* hard to make that possible!
~ Nap time, bed time, mama time!
~ This little space that helps me see and remember the wonder that can be found in my very own HOME.

Wishing you many simple joys, friend,  as you move through your days.

Wee Folk

My first attempt at doll making started last Christmas with the 'dollie' in the green dress.  Inspired by scraps from this little outfit I made for Lydia, that doll is made entirely from bits of wool sweaters.  Next came the knitted gnome.  So easy and fast to knit that I completed it in a day.  I started working on the big dolls early in December with hopes to have one ready as a Christmas gift for my dear girl.  Though I didn't quite make the deadline (poor dolls still need some clothes!) they were well loved by my sweet little nieces as we all gathered to celebrate.

*more to come on the 'making of' the big dolls*

Excitement!

Excitement is . . .

...Coming home to a package you have waited weeks for *weeks* ( I can vacuum again!)
...That feeling you get just before casting on a new project, especially when you already have the yarn and appropriate needles for the task.  Oh so very excited for this one!
...Finding a long lost item in a unlikely place.  Doesn't every crafter keep a the charger for their camera battery stowed among fabric and notions? 

~May your day be filled with joy and a little excitement~

On My Needles

Two I-Cords.

 The first one I knit was too plump for the job.  So I divided the four strands of the yarn, two and two.

*love*

The perfect drawstrings!

On My Needles

Wool Soaker

 I've had this booklet for a while but only recently realized that it has a pattern in it for a knitted diaper soaker.

 I must make this one someday! Doesn't every baby need a hand knit snow suit? And what snow suit is complete without pom-poms?

Done!

Finally done! I started this project back in the spring before Lydia was born (for the second time, I wasn't happy with the results of my first attempt.)  I mostly followed a free pattern from The Purl Bee using yarn from my small stash.  As a beginning knitter this was a great learning project for increasing   and decreasing.