recent projects

Whenever I had a spare moment during the last two weeks I've either been knitting or crocheting. It was enjoyable to get my needles out again, and like I've said before, ever time I go back to it I always wondering why I don't do it all the time. It's very calming and such a great activity while listening to a book or watching TV.

Here are the two gifts I made for my expecting friends that I mention a couple weeks ago on my blog.


[purchase this pattern here]


[find this pattern here]

Since I had the chance to both knit and crochet simultaneously I decided I prefer the way the needles flows when I crochet (i "throw" the yarn when I knit), but knitting comes much easier. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I've been knitting for longer, but I ended up crocheting two extra booties to make sure I was doing it correctly. It's what I like to call "perfecting my skill"--there was a lot of undoing and restitching on the first two booties. I suppose that's what you get when you teach yourself from a book. Now I am crocheting slippers for myself to up my learning curve, hopefully it's working. I'll share when I am finished.

Do you have any projects in the works?

Have a great Monday!

needles and yarn

Megan and I have been knitting. Yes knitting! Ever since I tried to teach Bella to knit and it didn't catch on--apparently it just took too much time--I was discouraged and thought knitting was something I wouldn't get to pass on. In fact, I often think that about the stuff I love to do--wondering if it will be something my girls and I will have in common.



Well apparently we do. A few weeks ago Megan asked to learn. I'm thinking maybe it's the sewing lessons or the fact that she's been watching me knit this winter, but whatever the reason she wanted to learn and well, that was all the encouragement I needed.

Can I tell you how fulfilling it is teach my daughter something I love to do, something that, although was not passed on to me by my grandmother personally, continues to be the one thing that connects me to her? You may have had this experience already and know exactly what I'm talking about, but teaching my girls what I love to do provides a fullness I'm not sure I've experienced any other way. Sitting side by side with her, enjoying the babbling of her thought process, hearing the needles work there magic while knitting away makes all the stresses of life fade.



I'm really hoping this is not a phase and something that will quickly get pushed to the side when more exciting things come her way, but if so I will not get discouraged. I have no doubt if she looses her way that eventually, like me, she will find her way back. But I'm getting ahead of myself too much, who knows, this might be something she will continue throughout her life, and she should. She's definitely got it in her--for a beginner she has the skills and picked it up rather quickly. For now though, I'm not trying to think about it too much, I'm just enjoying the times we've spent together on the couch together with needles and yarn.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo
amy gretchen

since the new year...

--I've been knitting a lot more. I can't say for sure where my motivation has come from, it's been so long since I picked up my needles, but I have been enjoying the rhythm immensely.

--We've had very cold temperatures. I haven't been able to warm up yet.


--I started sewing classes for Megan and Tess. First lesson we learned about the machine and how to thread it. Throughout the entire lesson Tess told me all the ways my sewing machine differed from her Nana's superior machine. I laughed. My machine may be 25 years old, but it can certainly hold it's own--has never failed me yet. Second lesson was practicing sewing straight and curved lines on paper. Once they got the pressure on the pedal down they did great.

--Bella got my old iphone for Christmas which acts as an ipod touch since it has no service. Anyway, she has been sending me "good night" text messages and listening to music in the morning like her dad. I guess they've all taken on that habit to want music when there is none.


--We set up skype so the girls are now able to see their cousins in Washington when they talk. Funny how the first few times they ended up staring at themselves instead of talking--they're getting the hang of it.

--I've been sleeping horribly or maybe it's just been the last three days. At any rate it feels like it's been forever since I've had a toss-less goodnight sleep.

--I've read Tuck Everlasting and Wishin' & Hopin'. Enjoyed them both.


--My dad, who's been playing a bachelor all week, came to dinner and to help Tess with her science project.

--I've been trying new recipes and my families been enjoying them. Go figure. Perhaps they're leaving their picky ways behind.

--Bella started taking piano lessons. I have a feeling she is going to catch on very quickly. Hoping to get a picture of her lesson today to go along with my 12of12.


--squinkies & lots of 'em.

--I'm ready for January to be over. The gray (inversion) is started to get at me.

three stories and a winner

When I went to bed last night I had such high expectation for today because it's one of the first days I've been able to get out (run errands) since I got back from Vegas and my schedule is open for the most part. Those expectation were unfortunately dashed when I laid in bed all night wishing sleep would come and it never did. I only got two hours of sleep last night which has left me with zero motivation to do anything.

Anyway, I thought I would share a few things from last month that failed to make it on the blog that I want to document.

1. Bella is learning what it means to be creative



She got a knitting kit for Christmas and started to knit a scarf the last few weeks. She was convinced she would be able to finish the scarf in two hours because that's what it said on the kit, but I think my dose of reality, "it will definitely take longer that two hours, you're just learning", has sort of made her disenchanted with the whole thing. I think she's realizing it does take time and she'd rather be doing something else. I do hope she finishes it, but no pressure from me. Knitting isn't for everyone.

2. inspiring Megan art



This is Megan's art from school and when I first saw it, it made me think of how hopeful everyone is feeling right now despite what is going on with our economy. It feels like when times are tough everyone pulls together and does their part. It's very inspiring.

3. a mouth full isn't always a bad thing



A surprise awaited the girls when they came home from school a couple weeks ago. Finally, yes finally the skittles we added a year ago, I can't believe they lasted so long, were gone and I gave them the pleasure of adding Jelly Bellys. You know I thought it would be fun for them, and it was for the most part, but as you can see Bella is clearly frustrated Megan is trying to help her, and well they all had a hard time being patient for their turn to put a coin in. Eventually, their mouths were full and it was quiet.

4. And the winner for January's giveaway is....

Amberly! Just send me your address and I will send them out to you this week. I hope you enjoy them.

Thanks for all your responses everyone. I'm looking forward to the next one.

knitting (a story)

My middle name is Gretchen (did you know that?) and I'm named after my Grandma, my Dad's mother, who died years before I was born. As a little girl I always remembered being so sad that I never had the chance to meet her. I remember seeing pictures of her and thought she was so beautiful and hearing stories about how she was a great cook and loved to knit. I remember the day, ok not the exact day, but round about day, I discovered a sweater she made for my dad when he was 18 years old. I thought it was beautiful and instantly wanted to create beautiful sweaters just like her. I guess, I just always wanted to be like her because we shared the same name.


[my inspiration, the sweater my grandma made for my dad 45 years ago, yes I stole it from him with his permission...sort of]

Life happened, time went on, and I never learned how to knit until the fall of 2001, specifically labor day weekend. I was up in Afton, WY and my aunt, my Dad's sister, got me started on a red hat (seen below on Megan) and taught me how to cast on and the basic knit stitch. I was so excited when I got home to be knitting that I went to the local wool shop to get a pattern and some cute yarn. The lady at the store told me I should start with a scarf, but I was more ambitious. I had just knit a hat (that was practice, right?) and wanted to dive right in and make a sweater. I figured if I'm going to be knitting I might as well be knitting what I want.

I found a very cute cardigan sweater (pg. 13 ) in Debbie Bliss Quick Baby Knits pattern book that I decided to tackle. Since I really had no idea how to add or decrease a stitch or even how to read a pattern I invested in The Complete Idiots Guide to Knitting and Crocheting. I think there are better ones out there now, how could there not, but it work great for my needs at the time. Plus it also taught me how to crochet so it was a two in one.

A few months later, a book read, and a few stops back to the wool shop for advice I had made this.


[my first sweater. Megan wanted to try it on and I thought it wouldn't fit because it's a 2t. Then I remembered, after she had it on, that I messed up and made the sleeves way too long so although it is tight in the mid section the sleeves fit.]

I have to say I was so pleased that I actually made a sweater (mind you, it wasn't any old sweater it had a collar, button holes, and even pockets) it made me feel like I could create anything. Seriously, it was very empowering.

I won't go on and on with the rest of this history, but suffice to say, along the way, somewhere in the middle of making hats for my wee little ones, booties, scarfs, blankets, and a few more sweaters still unfinished, I found the perfect pattern and made a sweater just like the one my Grandma made for my Dad (below).


[my first hat and aran sweater, photo taken in the fall]

I think this is my favorite knitting project so far and the one that made me feel closer to my Grandma than anything. I like to think knitting is in my blood thanks to her. I like to think I am closer to her and know her when I knit...so that is how I got started and why I never want to stop.