Yarn Along

Joining Ginny on YarnAlong...

Back to working on the baptismal gown.  This is the second time around with the gown.  The length of it is finished and now I'm working on the picket edging.  Due date is fast approaching and I'm getting nervous about finishing this in time for the baptism tentatively set for either June 10th or 17th.  Ravelry notes here.

Recently purchased the updated Daily Roman Missal.  I do really enjoy the Magnificat, but I felt it more prudent to go with the daily missal ... wouldn't need to spend more money on a subscription.  I realize that the missal doesn't contain spiritual readings, but I'll blog about what I do read tomorrow.

Yarn Along

With each baby, I've crocheted a baptismal gown.  Since learning how to knit, I decided to go outside my comfort zone and knit a baptismal gown for our newest little one.  To me, each stitch is a little prayer for this little soul.  It comforts me in my anxiety during pregnancy.

This is the beginning of the gown (again) starting from the waist going toward the feet.  The pattern is "Ribbons and Lace Christening Gown".
 
My first knitting class was this past Saturday, basic socks.  Last night, I finished my 'homework' which was to knit up to the heel.  The pattern is a Men's Heavy Weight Boot Sock by Knitting Pure & Simple.  Why I mens' sock, you ask?  Well, I do have size 12-13 ladies feet.  While knitting, I had two dropped stitches which I was able to fix myself thanks to the awesome Knitting Help app on my IPod.

I've been enjoying listening to the New Testament recommended by Elizabeth Foss.  I am still reading Jillian Michael's Unlimited.

Check out the other Yarn Along's at Ginny's Blog

Yarn Along

The sweater is finished up to the armholes.  It's waiting a purchase of double point needles in the correct size in order to start the sleeves.  Many people have oh'd and ah'd over the pattern in the sweater ... it's not me, it's the yarn.  I'm curious to see if the sleeves will even match up with the pattern of the sweater since sleeves are a smaller circumference.  The sweater is the Wallaby Pattern by Cottage Creations.

In the meantime, I'm back to working on the baptismal gown.  Ripping it out was the right call.

Saturday is my first knitting class!  I'm taking a basic sock class at the local yarn shop, The Crazy Girl Yarn Shop.  Isn't that a fantastic name for a yarn shop!  One of my knitting goals this year is to make socks that fit my size 12 women's feet.  My husband gave me two knitting classes for my birthday.  So for the next ten Saturdays, I have at least 2-3 hours all to myself.  Hubby will either be home with the five children or taking them to a 4-H meeting (all five!).  Best present ever!

Hubby came across the newest Jillian Michaels book, Unlimited at the library.  I have most of her fitness books. They have been a tremendous part of helping me in changing my lifestyle, especially Master Your Metabolism.  Unlimited is an unusual book.  It's a self-help book written by someone who is not a therapist; though she was in therapy since the age of five, I believe.

I found it funny that early in the book she talks about quantum mechanics and string theory.  Yes, we are all made of energy and are connected.  Great way to describe the body of Christ at a sub-atomic level.  (My connection, not hers)  I'm confused on why she uses the language she does.  To me, swearing is not lifting up others.

There have been a few points that I've written down to work on for myself.  She does an excellent job in breaking down large goals into big size chunks.  I've felt that that has been one of my strong points, but I haven't realized how many people struggle with that. 

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Yarn Along

The baptismal gown is on hold.  I finished the gown portion and realized that the gauge was way too big, even for my babies.  So, after tearing it all out, I've started again.

To offset my disappointment on redoing the gown, I finished my running hat.  First time doing a Fairisle pattern.  I wore it on a run the other day and it worked beautifully.

Since finishing the hat, I've cast on a sweater for myself.  It's the Wallaby Pattern by Cottage Creations.

Re-reading "Large Family Logistics" by Kim Brenneman.  With each pregnancy, I feel that I need to simplify even more.
 

For more Yarn Along's, check out Ginny's Blog.

Yarn Along

Ravelry

With each baby, I've crocheted a baptismal gown.  Since learning how to knit, I decided to go outside my comfort zone and knit a baptismal gown for our newest little one.  To me, each stitch is a little prayer for this little soul.  It comforts me in my anxiety during pregnancy.

This is the beginning of the gown starting from the waist going toward the feet.  The pattern is "Ribbons and Lace Christening Gown".  The author has been so helpful in answering my beginner questions.
 
The picket edging is almost complete.  I'm so excited.  With the weather turning colder, my running hat is beckoning to be finished and a new sweater for me is waiting to be cast on.

At our local yarn shop, they offer different classes.  My husband is urging me to sign up since I will be in 'baby' mode starting in June.  Now is the time to get some Mommy alone time in.

The kids and I have been reading "Angel in the Waters" by Regina Doman.


For more Yarn Along's, check out Ginny's Blog.

Yarn Along

Ravelry

With each baby, I've crocheted a baptismal gown.  Since learning how to knit, I decided to go outside my comfort zone and knit a baptismal gown for our newest little one.  To me, each stitch is a little prayer for this little soul.  It comforts me in my anxiety during pregnancy.

This is the beginning of the gown starting from the waist going toward the feet.  The pattern is "Ribbons and Lace Christening Gown".  The author has been so helpful in answering my beginner questions.
 
I've just started working the picket edging.  Learned a few new stitches thanks to my Knitting Help app on my IPod.  On Saturday, I made a trip to the local yarn shop to pick up a few more skeins.  I didn't create a gauge swatch for the baptismal gown and I'm pretty sure I'm off.  Dear husband chuckled and commented that the gown will fit perfectly then.  We tend to have larger babies and the previous baptismal gowns barely fit them when the kids were baptized at just two weeks of age!

While at the yarn shop, I picked up some yarn to knit myself a sweater.  I've given myself permission to detour from the baptismal gown once the picket edging is finished.  My next goal will be to finish my running hat that I started knitting last year and then to make the sweater for myself and my growing belly.

Each Advent, I work through "Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Padre Pio".  It gives me little things to think about each day.

Today's is so fitting for me:

Prayer:

It seems that the moment I began to focus on the spiritual experience of Advent, Bethlehem became like a mirage shimmering across the desert, beckoning elusively, tantalizingly, then vanishing completely.  O God of Soaring Eagles, raise me above this obscurity, that I might once again glimpse my destination, and discern the path that will lead me to you.  Amen.

Advent Action:

I will spend thirty minutes today to "recharge my batteries" through simple prayer, quiet meditation, or a long-awaited nap.

Blessing:

May Jesus continue to totally possess your heart and treat you as a chose one. -Letters

For more Yarn Along's, check out Ginny's Blog.

Yarn Along

My progress so far on the baptismal gown is going well for this beginner; the gown is measuring 8 inches of the 13.5 inches before working the edging.  I've had to take out two of the pattern rows so far to correct a mistake.

Any suggestions on how to fix mistakes?  Basically, I just worked in reverse, undoing my stitches.  Not sure if that's the best way or not.

I'm reading through "A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms", a Christmas present to myself.   Been feeling that I need some extra encouragement in my vocation of motherhood.

Side note:  the mug pictured was given to me on Mother's Day by my oldest.  They go to Goodwill and each pick out a mug for me.  I enjoy different coffee mugs and I love how the ones they pick out reflect their personality.

Check out Ginny's blog for more Yarn Alongs.