I’ve been laying low, staying home more than not these days. I still feel that raw sensation, the one that makes you feel as if you have no skin to protect you from the world. Some days are good, some aren’t so good. Grief is a changeable thing. It feels different from day to day.
So, I’ve been sticking close to home and doing things that are comforting. I’ve been watching the birds in our backyard. We have a birdfeeder, but we also have a yard full of seed pods, bugs, and leaves with things under them. My two favorite birds these days are juncos and chickadees. These two types of birds are represented in droves in the yard and they are busy busy busy. It’s almost hypnotic to watch them.
I’ve also been knitting. Many of the gifts we give this year will be knitted. I go back and forth on the Christmas knitting thing. Some years it feels like an overwhelming burden, and some years it feels good and comforting. This is one of the latter years. I can’t post too much, since the giftees may be reading, but I can show you a couple:
This is the Hemlock Ring Blanket that’s been making the rounds of knitters this year. I can’t tell you how much I loved knitting this! And it was relatively fast.
Pattern: Hemlock Ring Blanket adapted by Jared Flood (Brooklyntweed)
Yarn: Cascade Ecological Wool in #7072 (Wisteria)
Needle: #10 circular–started on a 32″ and moved to a 60″
Sigh. This is such a pretty lap blanket. I plan to make another one for us.
I also made a pair of Fetching fingerless mitts for Girlfriend:
Pattern: Fetching by Cheryl Niamath
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Angora, #010 (Cherry Red)
Needle: #6 circular
I modified the pattern slightly: instead of the crazy picot bind off, I did one more cable row and then bound off. It makes a much nicer edge that doesn’t roll.
In November I participated in a “love blanket” for Rachael of Yarn-A-Go-Go, who lost her mother a few months ago. Several of us, organized by Krista of KnitDelaware, knit afghan squares that Krista sewed into a blanket. It was very sweet and the blanket turned out just beautifully! My square is the white one at the top (it’s two columns of interlocking hearts).
I also participated in a baby blanket for one of my knitting friends, Erin of the HipChickKnits blog and the DoubleKnit podcasts (with Jessica). This one was organized by our friend, Amanda–who sewed it all up into a fabulous and uber-soft blanket!
