So, I haven't exactly known what to say lately. I know a lot of people are really struggling right now. There are so many people who have been affected negatively by this national shut down. There is the stress of being essential and having to go to work every day, or losing a job, or financial insecurity.
We are sooo lucky. I work, but I work for myself and I have stopped for the time being. I hope that my jobs are still available when this ends, but if they aren't it won't be the end of me. My husband is able to work from home. My kids are young enough that they aren't devastated by not seeing friends and being at school. All in all we are enjoying our time together. I almost feel bad saying it when I know so many people are struggling. I hope that you are able to find things that make you happy in this crazy time. In an effort to bring some joy and companionship, I am hosting a virtual knit night. It will be tonight at 9 pm EST. As I have never attended a knit night in person, I would appreciate any advice that you may have for me. :) It will be through Zoom and you can access it through the link below. I hope you will stop by.
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Right now I know a lot of people are struggling with staying home. There are so many people who have been thrust into positions that they didn't anticipate having to fill. In that regard I am lucky. After we had our first child my husband and I made the decision that I would be the primary caregiver. I gave up my job at work and transitioned to mothering. Even though I made the choice to be a stay at home mom, last week was hard. Homeschooling has always been on my radar, and it is possible we will do it at some point, but being thrust into it without a choice was jarring. In addition to suddenly being at home with the whole family was the bombardment from social media that we should be doing all the crafts and projects and things! I got emails for bread making workshops, knitting patterns, Knit a Longs, and enrichment activities for the kids. It was like the world was telling me to fill up all the time I suddenly had. At first I felt like I should be doing all the things too! Then I realized that I don't have to fill the time. Things are strange right now. If all you can do is what is required of you, you aren't failing, regardless of what others may say. If knitting brings you comfort, then by all means knit all the things. If binging a show after you are done with work makes you happy, do it. If you are happy to finally have the time to read that book or catch up on sleep, that is fine. Just because society is telling us to be picture perfect doesn't mean you have to do it. The one thing I have been doing more than anything is video calling my family. Spending time with my loved ones has always fed my soul. So we are doing it the best way we can right now. It probably doesn't look like what everyone else is doing, but that is ok. What are you doing to relieve stress right now? Oh, and I did finally start knitting again yesterday. I am making socks TAAT. My mom has been helping me during our video chats. I am just deciding what ribbing they should have. Finally an update on our family. Deplorable husband is almost 100% better now. I am still feeling fatigued. There is a bit of chest pain and headache, but much better than I had been. I have started doing house work and knitting, which is a sign I'm on the mend. Per our physician, we are still self quarantining until Sunday at the earliest, but hopefully it won't have to last much longer than that. I hope you all are healthy.
Well, it has certainly been an interesting few weeks. My husband saw what was happening in Italy and encouraged me to get extra groceries a few weeks ago. Before you get upset, we are NOT hoarding toilet paper. We did get a bunch of Mac and Cheese, but that was because I don't want the kids to starve. I am not fearing the social distancing and quarantining, except for the fact that my whole family is going to be trapped in our house for at lease a few weeks. I am going to be working with my kids everyday, partially, so that they haven't forgotten everything they have learned when school starts again, but mostly to keep some semblance of order in our lives. I'm going to try to be optimistic. There is some spring cleaning to be done, and there are always new patterns in my head. Things may be coming to the Etsy shop a bit faster than usual. The Women for Trump KAL ended on Friday. We had about a dozen completed projects. It was a great experience. I have learned somethings about leading a KAL and have more planned for the future! This is a picture of Sarah's hat. She was the grand prize winner and will be receiving a skein of yarn and a copy of the Ric Rac Rib hat pattern. Thanks to all who participated! Finally, there is a new pattern being released today. The DD214 hat. We love and appreciate our veterans. In fact, this was inspired by my step dad and grandpa who were in the Navy and Air Force.
The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, generally referred to as a "DD 214", is a document of the United States Department of Defense, issued upon a military service member's retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States. One dollar of every sale of this pattern will be donated to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. We want to give back just a little to all of the people and families that have done so much for our country. The pattern can be found in the Etsy shop. https://www.etsy.com/listing/773138820/dd-214-pdf-hat-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_1 Today is the start of the Women for Trump KAL. There is a hat and cowl pattern available in the Etsy shop.
The Knit along runs from today, February 7th through March 13th. If you want to participate there is a facebook group, or you can use #DKWomenforTrumpKAL on IG. I can't wait to see what everyone's projects look like. Share a picture of your completed project to be entered to win a prize. To be eligible your project needs to be completed by March 13th. Once again you all have blown my mind. Last week I posted on Facebook that I was contemplating a knit along. Since I have never really participated in one I was asking for insight on to the best way to proceed. You all blew me away with your response. I got some advice, but the amount of people that wanted to join was amazing to me. I am very excited to tell you that we will be starting the Women for Trump KAL on Friday, February 7th. The pattern will have an option for a beanie style hat, and a cowl. If you knit them per the pattern instructions you shouldn't need more than 2 skeins of your main color and 1 skein contrast color all in DK weight yarn. If you chose to make adjustments or upsize the cowl you will most likely need more yarn. You will also need size 2 and 3 needles along with the usual tools required for knitting (stitch markers, darning needle, etc). The pattern will be available on Friday. If you are interested in participating please head over to the Facebook group and introduce yourself, show off you yarn options and get talking. https://www.facebook.com/groups/294756631482793/ Also, if you aren't on Facebook you can use #DKWomenforTrumpKAL on Instagram to show off your work. I can't wait to see what you all come up with. Please join me for this exciting event! At the beginning of the year everyone makes resolutions. It seems like a good time to make a change. It's a clean slate. Everyone has heard New Year, New You! and other things like that. So, do you actually stick with your resolutions? I am doing ok with mine so far. I know the year is still young, but I'm trying. At first some of my goals were too lofty. I want to lose 40 lbs, declutter my home, grow my business. For me it was like going from zero to 60. I was so overwhelmed that decided to break a few of the goals down. I am counting calories and have lost like 4 lbs. It doesn't seem like much, but it is a start. I totally threw the decluttering one out the window. It gave me anxiety, so I will try again in a few months when some of the other things have become habit. The business goals would have been easy to push aside, but I am forcing myself to focus on it. Writing the blog is difficult. It's strange to think people want to hear what I am saying. Writing patterns isn't a walk in the park either. Maybe it is for some designers, but I am not a technical knitter. I write things as I do them. If my stitch count isn't quite correct I fudge it. I make things up as I go. All of this makes it hard to put what I have done into words. The first pattern for this year was a struggle. I actually had to make a video to show my testers what I was trying to do. The good news is we made it through! I released January's pattern yesterday. It is the Ric Rac Rib hat. It comes in 5 sizes from baby to adult, and can be knit in DK or worsted weight yarn. There will be a coordinating cowl and mitts (hopefully) coming out at the end of February! Also, I am trying something new in TWO WEEKS! I will be hosting a KAL for my Women for Trump pattern. You will have the option to make it as a cowl or hat. I'm pretty excited about it. I hope a lot of you will join. I'm sure it will be a learning experience for me, but we all have to start somewhere! How are you doing with your resolutions? Are you sticking with them? Let me know below! Happy New Year Friends!
I am glad we've made it this far. A lot of things happened last year. Some were amazing, some were mind boggling, and some were heart breaking. Everywhere you look people are sharing their top posts, and their wins for 2019. That's great for them, but if it's not for you, if you spent the last year putting one foot in front of the other, that's ok too. I'm glad you are here. The amazing thing that happened was becoming a real designer. People buy my patterns. People follow me on social media. It is a little bewildering to me. I never expected it to happen. Designing started as a hobby, but now I feel like I am making a difference and that is very cool. I am hoping to release a new pattern every month of 2020. I am slightly behind, because it's January, and nothing is in testing yet. There are so many things floating around my house, that I believe it can be done. As always I will need testers...... As for the mind boggling... Calling MILLIONS of people white supremacists for supporting the president. It still makes my head spin thinking about it. But, the beauty of it was that something intended to hurt and shame was used instead to bring together huge numbers of people who are not afraid to admit they love our country, support our president, and fear God. An amazing community has been built thanks to a couple people to calling names. It seems like that action may have been a blessing in disguise for thousands of us. And for the heart breaking, my beautiful grandmother passed away yesterday. I am so happy to know that she finally gets to see the face of Jesus, but I will miss her so much. I got to have one last cup of coffee with her on Saturday. At that point she had stopped talking almost entirely, but she still asked about my designs. She was happy to hear about the one that will be made in her honor. I told her about the argument surrounding my husband's anniversary present. She found it quite amusing. She listened as I chatted, as she usually did. I am so happy I got that last cup of coffee with her. Now, we have to navigate life without her. It will be hard for everyone, but especially her husband. His strength and faith through everything has been awe inspiring. We are blessed that he chose to join our family. I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed year. If you have any highlights you want to share please leave a comment. I have been absent for a while. It's what happens when kids are in school and life get busy. I was in charge of a craft show at the school, which turned out to be a smashing success. My step dad had his knee replaced. Work has been busy, and designing and knitting were the casualties, as they usually are.
While I was busy doing all of this I let something else slide. My coffee dates with my grandma. I still was doing them, but not every week like I usually would. She has been understanding. She had kids of her own (obviously) and knows how life can be. Two weeks ago we found out grandma was sick. I'm not talking about a cold or some aches and pains. Grandma has terminal cancer, AND she hid this fact from us for close to 9 years. Obviously when she found the lump it wasn't terminal. But, she knew that she wasn't interested in seeking treatment. That decision was hard to hear. It's very easy to second guess. Wondering if she could have been better had she made a different choice makes me break down in tears. But when it comes down to it, it's not up to me, or her children, or even her husband. It was up to her, and I respect it, even if it is so very hard to understand. Our relationship has not always been wonderful. When I was young I didn't love visiting. I sometimes felt like an inconvenience. I got older, and let the connection slide. After grandpa passed there was a falling out. Many years went by before we spoke again. I grew and changed, and she did too. She met a new man that brought out a different side of her. I matured and went through some things of my own. Over many years we reconnected, and it turned into the relationship I had always craved. It got to the point where couldn't wait for that cup of coffee and the conversations we would have. We would sit in her living room, soaking up the sunshine and talking about everything. She didn't judge when I would be a bit rude or petty about something. If I was sad she listened. In turn I listened to the pieces that she chose to share. There will be no one but me that remembers the book that caused us to call each other gramma gramma and baby baby. I won't ever be referred to as granddaughter #1 again. Just because of birth order, not favoritism. We have been growing avocado trees together. We talked about making guacamole when it finally had fruit so we could share it with everyone. There are so many things that were just between us that I have to hold on to now. The woman saw my designing as a gift from God. Every time I had a new design I would text her or bring it on our coffee date to share. She loved everything I made. She loved my passion for politics and designing and God. She encouraged me as a mother and wife. We pray for a miracle, because we know that Jesus can do anything, but we also know that miracles are rare. The doctor gave her a couple of weeks. I don't think it will be much longer. Yesterday was her birthday. She turned 78. My little family went over, made cards, and sang to her. She is tired and in pain, and as much as I want my grandma to stay, I know she is going to go, probably soon. She has always been strong, not really letting anyone help. I hope she doesn't feel like she has to be strong through this. In addition to the fact that we were totally blindsided it has also been difficult because of the holidays. I have chosen to give myself grace. I am keeping up the cheer for my family, but if gifts aren't completed or something falls through the cracks, I am not worrying. Holidays are hard enough when you are whole. If you are struggling, please give yourself grace. Family is hard too. Remember there may be things happening that you know nothing about. I spent so much time with grandma and I never even suspected. But, luckily I come from a long line of smart women. My mother told me that you will never regret spending time with someone. It will be sad and you will miss them, but you will always have the time together. I can't even tell you how badly I want to sit and have another cup of coffee with her, but I don't regret all the ones we shared. I have not knit in a week. Last Monday someone close to me made some pretty upsetting remarks. It was along the lines of my craft not being worth putting effort into. It brought my parenting into question. My priorities. My talent. My work ethic.
In the course of a 5 minute phone call I was torn down. It made me sad. It made me think maybe they were right. The start of the school year is always hard for me. The summers are my favorite time of year. I love spending long lazy days with my kids. School brings new challenges, volunteer hours, homework, extracurricular classes and activities. It also brings my seasonal depression. If I had had the same conversation in July I probably would have laughed it off and moved on, but it happened to hit at a time when I was already struggling. So, after a week of wallowing and second guessing myself, I have decided to move on. I am going to keep knitting. Stopping isn't an option for me. When I talked to my grandmother about my feelings she pretty much laughed at me. Her view was that God has given me a talent. Why would I let someone's opinion change my course? When the world hit's you remember to bring it to God. I'm not exactly feeling inspired, but I am going to start charting a new pattern tonight. It's a start. If God has given you a gift or a passion for something don't let other people take it away from you. There will be times when words hurt your heat. There will be people who second guess you. If you are happy, your family is cared for, you are fulfilling your responsibilities then forget them. Keep knitting. Keep your head up. If you need encouragement or prayer I am always happy to listen. School finally started here. Now that my house has calmed down and cleared out I am having trouble focusing on my knitting. I've never been one for spring cleaning, but fall cleaning I can get behind. I like the quiet portions of the day. I like the opportunity to go through our stuff and get donations ready. It's nice to get things in order in anticipation of the cooler weather. Since I have been working on stuff on my house I have not been nearly as focused on my knitting as I should be. I did finish a hat a couple of weeks ago, and my testers just finished working on it this week. So, even though I haven't been focused on my knitting I still have a new pattern to offer to you. I am pretty excited about this one. It's a lovely hat that supports the President. There is even a new (to me) technique in this pattern. Three colors in one row! I love the way it looks, and I hope you do to. The house should be back in order next week. Then, I am hunkering in and planning a lot more patterns. Coming soon will be God Bless America, and some designs in support of the military. If you have a person in the service or discharged from a branch and would like to test please let me know. I would love to have some knitters making military hats that you will be able to be put straight to use! https://www.etsy.com/listing/720940070/trump-toque?ref=shop_home_active_1
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AuthorDeplorable Knitter accidentally became a knitwear designer. She loves to design hats, but you never know where this adventure leads us. Archives
November 2020
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