learning yet ANOTHER way . .

of how NOT to do something!  Perhaps before i die i could author a book on all the things that DON'T work!  For instance,  those little heart bibs.  it's probably best to have a bigger plan in mind BEFORE you cut the yarn and forget to add the straps! . . . just saying!    and Rachael's cute little purple hat.  Whipped it in up a fairly quick amount of time but the weight of the yarn was not a good choice!  It has left her with ear flaps that will make her look like she's from Who-ville rather than a typical university student . . and i don't really think that's the look she was going for!  (i'm seeing yet another Frogging opportunity on this one ... and maybe double the yarn so that perhaps THAT will help those flaps relax some?  Maybe?? ... let you know next week!)

great concept BUT
somehow those straps
seem rather essential
in the BIG picture!

LOVE the color .... LOVE the concept
but those dad gum Ear Flaps . ..
Can't you just see a bunch of
little Who-ville girls running around?
(none of which are named Rachael . . fyi)



great pattern found
in Barbara Walker's
Mosaic Knitting, Vol. 2



THIS is a TRUE
Slipped Stitch ... and
NOT included in the pattern ...
and it did NOT go away,
even after many, many rows
of wishing!

and moving on down my list of weekly what-not-to-do's . . . my Auburn scarf.  Love my yarn, love the colors and love the pattern - - however the thing i'm learning about Slip Stitch is that it creates a very Dense fabric so i really need larger needles so that everything will relax.  Relax . . Shoulder's down . . knitting's supposed to be fun!  NOT all squeezed up and tight and curling on the edges!  and what's UP with that skipped stitch?  Notice how i kept knitting even though it's looming there, larger than life!  Somehow i once again figured that if i knit fast enough it might just get absorbed into the rest of the pattern!  (clearly i shouldn't be making really important decisions that late at nite!) . ..

My Alabama houndstooth scarf is now 63" long and it too has the same character quirkiness as the Auburn scarf .... my garter stitch is so soft and flowey (yes, that's a word!) .... but the slip stitch portion of houndstooth is denser . . so i'm making notes on how to Relax one to meld into the other better ... for NEXT time!

63" .... i'm thinking that when
the black yarn runs out it
will be time to bind off and
call it FINISHED!
(but look at all those yarn tails
to weave in!  YIKES)

sprinkle in some Valentines and you've got a pretty good week of Experiments .... and yet more opportunities for "Perhaps i'll do that one again - in a Different way!" .....and in keeping with the parallels of my life and knitting, i find that this is a picture perfect scenario of God's forgiveness and grace as well!  Yesterday i mentioned feeling a bit shelf-like, perched up and out of the way for a while as the rest of Life was moving at a frantic pace.  but i have to ask myself, am i shelved because that's where God wants me . . or because that's a more optimal place to hide until i'm ready to play again?

I'm learning that looking ahead, straining too far to envision what Tomorrow looks like, often leaves me with more fear than contentment!  Squinting leaves me with wrinkles and worries .... and the anticipation steals the joy of the Present Moment ... which means i'm loosing time with my Father Who promises to be with me, here and now - on the shelf or on my way!  Every step of my journey .... all my steps of Today that will carry us, together, into all the paths of tomorrow that He has ordained for me!  Do i retreat into the security of Today's "schedule" in order to avoid the unanswered Questions of Tomorrow or am i Standing on the Promises with an open mind and hand as to what God will provide at THAT exact moment ..... 

Cleaning out my knitting bag this week ..... inspecting the thoughts and intents of my heart as well .... seeking His face .... for just right NOW!  No need to worry about all the projects yet to be knitted this year .... or all the Plans that He has lined up within the next week ... month .... or even years down the road!  Weddings are coming, jobs will change .... children will grow into adults that He will use to bring Himself honor and glory .... and yet, He remains the same ... Righteous, Holy, Steadfast, Forgiving ..... and Mine!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!

2 Cor. 5:17