Finish What You Start

Good morning everyone.  I know there has been little (or nothing?) said about knitting around here lately, but I have actually finished something -- finally.  

I started this little Spring Garden Tee for sweet Leah months ago, but just finished it yesterday (too much running around this summer).  Considering the fact that our weather doesn't cool off here ever until October or November (and even then, there are still lots of warm days), I'm thinking she will still have plenty of opportunities to wear it -- if she wants to.  I'm not so sure making garments for grandchildren who aren't around to try them on is a good idea -- for me anyway.  It seems there's usually some problem with size -- too big, too small, sleeves too long, or something.  Do you have that problem too?  Maybe I should just stick to socks, hats, scarves,  mittens, and toys for my littles?  Anyhoo,I hope this one fits.  I love the fluttery little sleeves (Rav link).

And talking about knitting things for grandchildren and others reminds me --- the other day, as I was going in to Michael's to look for yarn (sad selection), I saw a mom & grandmother with their little girl who was wearing the scariest looking knitted tank (all kinds of wild variegated colors) with long stringy fringe hanging from the bottom.  Poor little girl looked embarrassed, but you could see she was trying to be nice to her knitting granny by acting as if she really liked the crazy looking thing she was obligated (out of kindness - no doubt) to wear.  So of course, this made me wonder if my littles secretly cringe when I make them something and only wear it when I'm around in order to protect my feelings.  I remember years and years ago (when I was a teenager), my Aunt Ruth knitted me a hot pink poncho with fringe.  It was expertly knitted, but the color was way out of my comfort zone, so I never wore it.  Have you ever been given something made with so much love and high expectations by someone you love, and just couldn't bring yourself to wear it for some reason?  Aww, makes me feel bad now.

Anyhoo, I also finished another pair of Muggle Socks while I was in North Carolina.  I know at least one of the guys in the family likes these a lot b/c I do his laundry.  He never wears anything but these, and I'm pretty sure it's not just to make me feel good ^v^.  Socks are such good travel knitting, aren't they?  I made the latest pair with Berocco Vintage in hopes of it being a more durable/washable yarn for making these cushy socks.  We'll see. 

(image via Rowan Magazine 42)

And I finally decided I could face finishing this project (Faeroe) that I started eons ago.  I could not, for the life of me, figure out how to do the edge decreases and increases without messing up the pattern on the edge, so I hid it away for years.  I pulled it out of hiding yesterday, and I still don't know how to keep the edge pattern right, but I'm plugging away on it anyway and will finish it -- even if it looks weird in the end.  This is when I really wish I lived in a town with a knitting shop, so I could take this mysteriously constructed thing in for help from a real knitter.

I'm also dragging this cabled blanket out of hibernation in the hopes of getting it finished by Christmas. 

And I guess I better get back to work on this one too.

Elf shoes {before I trimmed off the fuzz from felting} from last Christmas -- must make more of these for this Christmas.

Chloe in her Elf Hat last Christmas (and Little Red Riding Hood Cape).  Everyone must have an Elf Hat this Christmas!

Now really is the time to get busy with Christmas knitting & making, isn't it (well, actually it's past time, but I can hardly make myself knit or crochet much when it's so darned hot)?  Considering above comments about giving knitted gifts, I think I'll just be making a few more Elf Hats (as pictured above), Elf Shoes (also pictured above --love these!),  more socks, maybe a hat (the human kind ;) or two, and blankets for this year's gifting.  What are you making for Christmas gifts this year?

Angels and blessings,

♥  ♥  ♥

G