Lessons for the Beginning Frugal Knitter
Lesson #1:
When purchasing wool at a thrift store, do not, I repeat, DO NOT begin that most anticipated project with your wool unless you know one of two things:
1. That you have enough wool
2. That you can purchase more.
Isn't it just fabulous? Updates to come on whether or not I can actually create the one-skein wonder of the discontinued color.
(*&$#^ %$&^$...
Officially, in approximately 5 hours, it will be FALL. The weather already sucks in an appropriate way, and Mendon is already waxing poetic on the topic. I've gotten my sweaters out and needed a woolen one for work and travel today. It's rainy, it's cold, we've had to close the windows, and soon, we'll need to find a solution for the gaping holes between the dormant air conditioning unit and the wall.
Two days ago, I celebrated the muck of impending doom winter in a fabulous way.
I got out the wedding quilt. I nestled. I zonked.
That quilt, although not huge and poofy, is so warm and soothing. Mendon and I have both been sick over the past few days, and I'm all the happier to know that we're toasty warm at night (and while we attempt to do our homework, and while we fight with the alarm clock 20 minutes before the start of class).
So, the most appropriate thing to do, it seems, is to take a moment to honor Aunt Cindy, who will, more or less, tuck us in each night this winter.
Thank you, Aunt Cindy, for this awesome (and practical) piece of art.
With its creation also comes the fusion of many people, places and memories.
Maman, my grandma, India and the Gambia
I also appreciate that Aunt Cindy put a few of these shiny blue pieces in the quilt. I think of them as your artistic signature because they remind me of you. (They're leftover fabric from her prayer book covers).
I also love those watermelon pieces. They crack me up. I don't know why. Maybe the thought of watermelon in the winter... who knows?
And a wedding quilt must have parts of a wedding dress, but only if Aunt Cindy makes it.
I have been looking forward to pulling this quilt back out from the linen closet for several months now. It's here, it's on the bed, it's warm, and it makes me very, very happy that this is so.
The name of the quilt (it has a name!) is Verdant Spin. Baha'i Spin on a Verdant theme:
O Thou kind Lord! Graciously bestow a pair of heavenly wings unto each of these fledglings, and give them spiritual power that they may wing their flight through this limitless space and may soar to the heights of the Abhá Kingdom.
O Lord! Strengthen these fragile seedlings that each one may become a fruitful tree, verdant and flourishing. Render these souls victorious through the potency of Thy celestial hosts, that they may be able to crush the forces of error and ignorance and to unfurl the standard of fellowship and guidance amidst the people; that they may, even as the reviving breaths of the spring, refresh and quicken the trees of human souls and like unto vernal showers make the meads of that region green and fertile.
Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful; Thou art the Bestower and the All-Loving.
'Abdu'l-Bahá
Shameless pictures:
View image
I FINISHED MY SOCKS!
(Labor Day weekend... Seriously, how did this post not happen until over a week later?)
The Beauties:
Notice how (nearly) perfectly those stripes match up. That wasn't luck... well, actually, it was: luck with ball winding, snipping, and faith in the joins.
The Detail:
The funny thing:
I started Mendon's tonight.. and woo boy, they have been an uphill battle. Yanked out a needle in the worst of places, had to rip out 5-6 rows... Optimism and good hopes for tomorrow with the socks.
Oh, and did I mention that I get confused about whether or not I'm actually knitting a hat instead???
My husband just snuck up to me, whilst I was reading for my Intro class, and he whispered something naughty into my ear.
He said, "procrastinate."
I almost died. It sounds too good. The Yarn Harlot just posted. He laughed out loud at the post; it must be good. I've been working all day. I have piles of paper scattering the bedroom, kitchen, and living room that I must read. I need to write questions, design an experiment, rehair two bows, practice and... and. ... and... he said the 4-syllable word.
AND I CAVED! Ha! to not doing what I'm supposed to be doing!
:)
New couch picture one:
Fabric swatch:
Ah, how nice it feels. Mission: finally freaking done.
On slightly depressing, I-don't-want-to-talk-about-this-yet notes, I have another project in the queue. It involves destroying a winter pull-over right in the middle of it in the hopes of adding functionality to the whole thing (a zipper!). But, at least now I'm allowing myself to practice again.
Did not enjoy the ride down to O-town.
eww.
and double eww.
More to come in approximately 4 cushions.
