Introductions

please allow me to introduce you to Pearl, my gracious model for the next 12 months, for all the fun scarves we're going to learn to knit ... Pearl is a very quiet spirit.  She's easy to get along with, is always open to new ideas and has yet to complain about color choices, lengths or sizes of the scarves i find for her.  She looks good in just about EVERY color, though i've heard that she favors green! She's a bit on the long waisted side but then again, that just helps to actuate all the fun things that scarves can do. 

January's 1st option is a pattern i've called "Squeeze Me", based rather loosely on several scarves i've seen around town, but refuse to pay the price the stores are asking for!  I've seen this style knitted, as well as in fabric form.  Long but wide sections are divided by ribbings or sewn 'gathering' stitches that create little bubbles all the way up and down the scarf.  And what's been even more fun is actually using some of the very basic things i've learned knitting to duplicate things that are out and in the stores currently!

Knitting 2 stitches together will create the 1st decreases you'll encounter in this pattern and then Kfb will the 1st increase you'll see.  Kfb - Knit into the Front AND the back of the same stitch, making 2 stitches from a single stitch.  Instructions for this pattern can be found by clicking on the tab above labeled "String of Purls".

LOOK!  can you tell that each end is a different yarn?
that's what happens when you don't buy enough!

I've been knitting for many years now but i think this is one of the first times i've actually used things i've learned to handle the options of a new pattern - - one without any previously written directions.  And as i think about it, it's a very similar mirror to my faith ...   it's easy to have faith when going through the 'routine' parts of life, the days that seem uncomplicated and therefore "easy" to trust the Lord with all that unfolds.  However, it's on "Those" days when i can't make sense of things, when i am stuggling with the directions that i can't read or understand, that my Faith 'account' is pulled from, based on what i have invested prior to!

I would have never thought i'd make up my own version of anything knitting-wise, when i first learned to knit many years ago.  And as a young Christian i ceratinly didn't anticipate many of the unexpected forks in the road i thought i'd be traveling, and yet my faith has often been the ONLY thing that has brought consolation or direction or encouragement to me when i found myself in the midst of the unknown, or unexplainable.

Who of us does not love a good hug .. a touch of affirmation that reminds us that we are loved!  A gentle Squeeze that speaks volumes of reassurance ... a scarf that helps remind that each section of my day has a beginning AND an ending ... and that my FAITH is the ribbing that girds up each section as it unfolds.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and rust destroy,

and where thieves break in and steal. 

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where moth and rust do not destroy,

and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matt. 6:19-21