Why on earth?

Everyone has those moments where you realize at some point along the road, what did I get myself into? What on earth was I thinking?! What possessed me to get involved with this?!

Something I've never done before would be to assist the hospital at which I work to completely convert from their old data entry system/assessment/patient care access ("computer system") into a completely new one. All departments from nursing to pharmacy, admissions to morgue, inpatient, outpatient, everything. What was I thinking?

Go live for this project is scheduled for May 1. It was brought to our attention last week that this coincides with "Mayday!!" All I can picture is Leslie Nielsen and Robert Hayes in the movie Airplane.

The biggest drag is that I visited the closeout sale at my LYS and all that luscious yarn (that was a steal!!) is calling me. Knitting? Needles? Right now it's all collecting dust. And making me irritable.

So no pictures, this post is probably something I don't have time to do right now, and I'm sure no knitting until at least May 15, when our mandatory 24/7 support for this conversion ends.

Ahh, cashmere!

Here is the first attempt (of 3) to knit and finish a project with some luscious cashmere and silk yarn.






The cashmere finally grew into this:

And for some reason, I felt compelled to take a pic of some ball band dishcloths, which were a lot of fun to knit. Pattern from Mason Dixon Knitting.

Current projects include: the same sock (singular) from... well, I think it's been on the needles since November 06 ??? It may never get finished. It certainly will never have a mate. There has been significant thought to the flammability of sock yarn on or off bamboo knitting needles.

I didn't really need to do that

Ever do something, and then go, now what on earth did I do that for?! I don't have time for this! Or even better, "I could be knitting!"

Got my invitation from Ravelry in October and thought at the time I didn't really need to photo my stash or update projects. I mean, I have a blog I ignore enough and don't add as many pics as I want to. But the other day, I was informed that you don't have to do all that, you can just look around and see what other people are knitting. Well, that's where I've been the last hour or so while the dust settles and my laundry screams... you know the drill.

There are yarn reviews, patterns, many of them free, photos. From tried and true actual knitters, many of whom it seems don't want you to buy the book/yarn/kit/needles/pattern etc. They are motivated by the love of the craft.

Gonna cut this short, headed back to Ravelry! User name: nightshiftknits.

Knitting is actually a Love Language

One of the best books ever written as far as being practical (aside from Knitting technique books, of course!) is The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. It discusses how we all have five love languages but are most blessed, or touched, by one (or sometimes two) of the five. The five love languages are: Quality Time, Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, and Gifts.

Knitting encompasses all of these love languages; let me explain. Knitting is definitely physical touch -- who can resist the feel of a soft yarn and the differing textures of fiber? And when we admire knitting, does anyone NOT run their hands over the weave? Or is this why yarn shop owners follow me around as I feel my way around the store?

Knitting is gifts, too -- even when we make something for ourselves or our home. It is generosity, a labor of love, lots of hours combined with stitches and colors. And if you haven't been gifted by a fellow knitter an extra ball of yarn, it's a great feeling! More on this in another post!

Knitting is quality time -- a cherished and precious commodity, to be sure, is our time. In these busy days of _____________(you name it, or substitute "life"), to be able to create something in a few minutes here and there is an expression of love.

Knitting is also an act of service. Go visit a LYS knitting class if you're skeptical. Knitters help other knitters. Knitters offer instruction. Knitters stop what they are doing to admire something, to lend a hand. Go to a knitting group and look around. And when we knit something for someone, it is more than yarn and stitches, it is an investment. It represents hours that actually could have been spent doing something else.

Knitting is, lastly, words of affirmation. We encourage, we love it when there is a compliment. We offer support, direction, praise for quality and effort. Yarn store owners know this : "that would be a great color on you", or "imagine this yarn as a hat/sweater/wrap/sock", or even the inevitable "feel this" as they put it in your hand! We all remember the nervousness as we show off a project and the warm fuzzy (sometimes literally -- you know, that might just have originated with knitting?!) we get when our work is affirmed.

Sorry for the long post, but knitting for me is definitely a love language! And if you haven't read the book, I strongly recommend it!!

A Mistake I won't make Again!

I did something really stupid. I knitted a ... well, what I thought was a very nice Fair Isle wine bottle cozy. It kind of got renamed to a Stoli cozy because I stashed a bottle of Stolichnaya vodka inside for my mother in law for Christmas.

The mistake, you ask? Because it sounds like a "win" all around so far. Simple - I forgot to take a picture of it!!! It was light blue with rose and green and gold. And some burgundy. But it is only a memory right now. It was ribbed at the top, with eyelet for the burgundy cord.

I realized it right after I gave it to her and have been considering stealthy ways to perhaps capture the item on digital camera. I'm still working on it and welcome any suggestions!!

Ugh!!

Haven't knitted a stitch in over a week and fortunately don't have any knitted Christmas gifts due in the morning.

Merry Christmas, fellow knitters and non-knitters. Here's hoping for a beautiful day with family. Remember always the reason for the season!

Dancing with the Angels

Just wanted to share another blog story about a beautiful little girl named Ellie. Her mother has been sharing the incredible journey of their daughter's life with Neuroblastoma, since September 2006. She is, as her mom said, Dancing with the Angels tonight. The host of the knitting group I've attended knitted for Ellie.

She leaves behind a family who is hurting but hopeful - they know they will be reunited with her, and that her pain and suffering is over. She has a little brother Ethan who will certainly miss her.

Just wanted to share. It's too important. Hug your kids, tell your spouse they are loved. Pray for Ellie's grieving family.