Out With the UFOs!

As I mentioned in the last post, my goal for the beginning of the year is to clear my slate of “works-in-progress” or “unfinished objects” (WIPs or UFOs in the knitting world). I have about six projects that I have let slide by the wayside and go unfinished. Usually it happens because I come across a snag in the pattern or I find another pattern that I fall in love with and have to start immediately! In the case of three of these projects, they are my own design and I got stuck on how to best carry out my idea.

For example, this lovely, lacey piece is a cowl but I haven’t figured out how to make a smooth join where each end connects. See that big ugly kink down the middle? That must go! I love how light and airy this piece is though, and it’s made of alpaca for incredible warmth and softness.

It will have such a lovely drape when it's all done!

I adapted this pattern from a blouse that I made for my senior thesis project. The yarn is all natural alpaca from Hidden Valley, a sheep farm and woolen mill, not far away from where I grew up in Wisconsin. I was blessed to have spent quite a bit of time there the past few summers, learning about the entire process from raising and shearing the sheep to dying yarn and knitting or weaving a finished project. Paul and Carol are a wonderful couple, so down to earth and passionate about their livelihood.

This next project will someday be a reversible headband topped with a big bow. The reversibility is what’s holding me up so far. I would love to be able to have the option to choose a grey or pink headband but my attempts thus far have been unsuccessful. The hot, hot pink against the cool grey is such a fun, cheerful winter combination.

This gorgeous textural piece will someday adorn our bed as a pillow.

Isn't that texture just incredible? Knit out of a super soft organic cotton yarn, I can't wait to lay my head on that!

The entire front is done. Now I just have to decide how to construct the back. I could knit the back or sew a fabric back on. The second option would allow me to make two matching pillows, given the amount of yarn I have. Having to find the perfect fabric to go with the pillows would give me an excuse to visit incredible Vogue Fabrics. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it is one of the largest fabric stores in the U.S.! One of the Apparel Design classes at Madison went on a field trip to Chicago every year to shop for fabric and develop collections from their finds. I remember almost fainting over the gorgeous fabrics my classmates brought back. Whether the back of this pillow is made of purchased or knit fabric, I’ll have to visit soon!

This poor shawl is left over from my senior thesis. After graduation I became consumed by my internship, work, then my surgery, then planning a wedding! With all the excitement, I forgot all about this little cutie. All I have to do is sew these two pieces together and attach buttons.

 Also on my list of things to do this year is photograph my senior thesis pieces. I am so proud of them but I have no good way to display them yet. That will change soon I hope!

These little necklaces are kind of an ongoing project, but I have started four now and finished only one.

I’d like to have at least a few finished and on hand for gifts. I love this technique of knitting two strips with holes in them and weaving them through one another to create the look of a braid or cable. Perhaps you can see that the pink one is a single strip with holes every inch or so. This pattern is an alteration of the Cable Braided Necklace courtesy of the brilliant Olga Buraya-Kefelian.

Last on my list of projects to finish is this knit jacket for my Mama. We made a deal that she would buy the yarn and pattern for me if I would knit it for her. This was two summers ago and I still haven’t finished it! I remember rushing and rushing to try to finish it before her birthday but I didn’t even get close! I only finished the back, and most of the front left side!

I know I made quite a few alterations to the pattern. I just hope my notes were clear enough that I remember them all! Here is a photo of the finished jacket that Mom and I saw while visiting Magpie’s Cottage in Sheboygan Falls a year and a half ago when she first bought the yarn and pattern. It's not all that flattering on me, but I'm hoping the alterations will make for a perfect fit for my Mama.

Hopefully you’ll be seeing each of these patterns in all of their finished glory within the next few weeks and months. It will feel so good to be done with all of them!

Happy New(lywed) Year!

I’m back!! After a very long break from the blog, I’m back and so happy to be. The New Year has been very exciting so far! Hubby and I had the chance to explore Chicago a bit more while he was on break. We are trying to visit every museum in Chicago and we started with Art Institute and the Museum of Science and Industry. We have also gotten to explore the city along the lakeshore trail by bike.

On a related note, I have started running again! This is the first serious attempt at running since my hardware-removal surgery this summer and I can feel such a difference! My knee and shin used to get so irritated after just two or three miles, but now I don’t feel a thing in my leg! I’m training for a 5k race that hubby and I are doing together for Valentine’s Day. So sweet! I love running with him and he’s thrilled to have such a cute running partner

Theseus came with us while we traveled around Wisconsin for Christmas and he was such a good kitty. Although he was a bit hesitant at times, I think he really enjoyed seeing the world and getting love from all of our family. There is no doubt that our fluffy little critter loves his new family.

 There is so much love to be celebrating this New Year. One of my bridesmaids, Ashley, just recently got engaged! I am so thrilled to be a part of her wedding just like she was in mine. Congratulations Ashley and Nate!! 

Another of my bridesmaids, Kati, celebrated her first anniversary with her husband! These couples are such model couples for us. We have all learned so much from one another over the past few years, and we are incredibly blessed to go on through life all together.

  Quite possibly the most exciting news in my life this New Year is a possible promotion at work! Things have been relatively slow-moving while everyone at work recovers from the holidays and sets up the biggest transition of the year (Spring is arriving at Target!). Nonetheless, my mentors and managers have been spending as much time as possible prepping me for my upcoming interviews and giving me so much helpful advice. It is so encouraging to be working for people who invest themselves in people before products.

If I do get this promotion, it would mean working about 60 hours per week! It would be wonderful for many, many reasons, but I’m sure my knitting time will be deeply cut into. (So will my housekeeping time, so do be prepared if you come to visit!)  Until that time, I am hoping to finish up a few unfinished projects that have been lingering around here. More on that in the next post! It's time for a hot cocoa date with my hubby! 

Making A Home

Since getting married and moving, I have had so much fun making our little apartment into our first home. Family photos on the wall, handmade coasters on the coffee table next to a beautiful onyx chess set, a handknit blanket on the couch, baskets and shelves overflowing with yummy yarn, law books stacked neatly by the study chair, a furry little kitty running around – there is no mistaking this for anyone’s home but ours.

I’ve been working on creating a bit of an entryway, so we have a place for our snowy boots and coats, along with our handknit scarves, hats, and mittens. Sticks and berries from the nearby park and stones from the beach make for some truly natural beauty.

One of our favorite songs is Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

“Home is wherever I’m with you”

Gives Thanks to the Lord, our God and King

His love endures forever!!

These are the opening lyrics to one of my favorite songs that I sang while I was a part of the Worship Band at Chapel in Madison
Here and here are some of our performances on our drummers blog.

I am home alone this Thanksgiving. I have to work for Black Friday, so hubby made the trip home by himself this year. No doubt, it's a bummer to be away from my family, and especially my husband, but I have more than enough blessings to bring me joy this holiday. This year has been SO full of blessings. I must keep God pretty busy.

Firstly, I thank God for my husband. He has brought my more joy than anything or anyone in this world has ever brought me.

For a marriage founded on Christ Jesus, the rock of our salvation

For my always lovely friend, Katilyn, and her and Jason's wedding that I was blessed to be a part of

For the many ways God shows us His glory

For the rewards of work

For my lovely, growing family (I have a new niece!!!!)

For my new family! Wow, I love these people

For my silly best friends

For a safe landing in our new home

For the support of these wonderful people to go through life with

For the incredible opportunity to travel to China

For the peace and productivity that my knitting brings me

For my graduation from a world-class university

For the blessings of Prayer

For our precious, goofy Theseus

The list is truly endless. Praise God for his innumerable blessings!

There is so much to celebrate this Thanksgiving! Woo-hoo!!

Target Volunteers

I spent Veteran's day morning with over one hundred other Target team members and community volunteers while we helped Brenneman Elementary School get some much needed work done. 

We started our morning with huddle warm-ups – the exercises we do together at the beginning of every morning and evening shift. I see some lovely form for those arm circles!

We were then divided into groups for different tasks. Some went outside to clean up the yard and playground. Some went to the kitchen to do a deep cleaning. I was assigned to the group that got to repaint a teacher’s classroom! I was so thrilled to be in the painting group. I love painting and haven’t been able to do it much the past few summers.

The classroom was already bright yellow, and the teacher wanted red accents on the beams, the built-in bookshelf, and the inside of her closet doors.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to do this! I wouldn’t have rather spent my morning any other way. I got to paint, spend time away from work with my awesome co-workers, and we were fed a great lunch! They were so thankful for the help, and we were so happy to do it.

I think I need to spend more time in elementary schools. They are just way too precious.