My life in knitting

I've had people ask me why I started knitting.
I can't help but to ask "Why not?".

But if you're really looking for an answer I suppose I can give you one.

I've always been big on creative outlets.
I can still think back to being in junior high and staying up till 3 in the morning on the weekends, working on some little craft project, made out of random things found around the house.
picture frames, coffee can lamps, decorating boxes...
I always found something to create or decorate.

In high school I got hooked on making jewelry.
Hobby Lobby was close to our neighborhood and provided me with an excellent selection of memory wire and beads that quickly ate my dairy queen paycheck.
My best friend and I would just hang out and bead in her childhood clubhouse and at one point thought we would actually go into business, but of course our thoughts were just that... thoughts.

I continued making jewelry a couple of years after graduating but life got busy. Life got hectic. Life got crazy and often times the things that I enjoyed ended up in boxes, only to be moved to another location and seldom brought out for me to play with.

Then I became a mom.
I went from being my own, independent self to being responsible for a sweet, perfectly created, little boy.
my time was quickly consumed with motherhood, wifehood, work...  life, and only on rare occasions would I find the time create something.

Brodey was 4 days shy of being two when I had my first knitting lesson.
I had told David about a month prior to that, that I wanted to learn how and I don't even think I knew why I wanted to...
I just wanted to create and if people insisted on asking me if my target scarf purchase was something I made, well then maybe I should make something. 
I can sit back and look at it now and in that time of life I was reinventing me.
I had started my recovery journey, fell madly in love with Jesus, and was finally in a place in my life where I could once again get passionate about something.
I was creating a new identity for me and one that I could be proud of.
I've been knitting for a little over 4 yrs. now and I am STILL learning.
There are still things that I want to make that I haven't...
New techniques I want to learn...
New yarn and fibers to play with and explore...

Knitting has become more than just a craft.
It's more than just a hobby.
It's more than just something to keep me preoccupied.
It is a big part of who I am.
It introduced me to a community of people that not only appreciates hand knitted items but art in general because after all, knitting is fiber art.
They are all just as passionate about knitting as I am and actually understand knit speak.
Some of the best conversations I've ever had have been in a knitting circle and often times I've walked away learning something new or feeling encouraged.
It has given me a way to create anywhere I want!
The car (not while I'm driving), the waiting room, a park, restaurants, intermissions, vacations, meetings, work breaks, nap times, play dates, coffee dates...
You get the picture...

I've been a part of peoples Christmas', family photos, newborn announcements, business', fundraisers, memories...
And what's even cooler is that I've had the honor of teaching people the very thing (but not the only thing) that has brought such purpose into my life, in hopes that it will mean as much to them as it does to me.

Knitting helped me work through the grief of a miscarriage.
Medical scares and uncertainties with my son.
Post traumatic stress after almost losing my daughter to an unexpected complication.

Knitting has been my anti-anxiety,
my stress reliever,
and my most loyal friend.

And now you know why I knit.

Blessings,

-C




Beginners Knitting- You CAN do it



I think of the countless times when I've heard...

"I tried to knit but I just couldn't get the hang of it..."
"I'm not coordinated enough to learn..."
"I use to know how a long time ago but doubt I could do it now..."

 

I'm pretty sure I've heard it all and I'm calling you out and I'm telling you that you CAN do it... that is if you want it bad enough.

I can give you at least 3 reasons why you should learn how to knit.

1.) You get to create and awaken that brain of yours in a whole new way.

2.) Can lower blood pressure, relax you, and ease stress and anxiety.

3.) Can help you quit those bad habits by working as a nice distraction.

So hopefully I have convinced you to go out on a limb and give knitting a try....errrr.. another try, maybe.

So there are a few things to keep in mind while you learn that may ease the stress or anxiety of learning this new art form.

-Everyone is different-
I think it is human nature to compare ourselves to the stranger next to us, a friend, a family member...
But truth be told that everyone is different and learns at different paces and in different ways.
If you don't catch it right away you're not broken, dumb, pathetic, or incapable.
You are human and you are training your brain and your hands to do something new.
Or maybe you are retraining your brain and hands to do something that they once knew how to do.
This isn't a race or a competition either sooooo...
Chill out.

-You will in fact mess up-
You may find that you have some wonky stitches, missing stitches, added stitches, holes, yarn splits and whatever else you can think of.
This is normal.
The best way to remedy this is to rip it out and start over because the best practice you can get is by repeating what you've learned.
It seems the most commonly forgotten thing when you learn how to knit is how to actually cast on stitches onto your needle because that is the first thing that you learned and are so focused on actually knitting your first project, that you have no reason to revisit it.
Messing up is ok and even the most experienced knitters do it and have to start over from time to time.

-Do your best to relax-
Your best results in knitting will come if you are relaxed and breathing.
If you're sitting there all hunched over in your chair, breathing heavily, white knuckling it the entire time, not only is it going to be a stressful experience but you'll more than likely pull your yarn too tight, which will make it more difficult to actually knit your stitches.
That in itself will stress you out and more than likely discourage you.
The best thing you can do at this point is to set your knitting down, grab something to drink, go for a little walk around, maybe do a few hand stretches, and then give it another go. 

-Stick to solid color yarn-
If you are anything like me then you will be drawn to the multicolored yarn and want to make your first project out of the coolest yarn you can find!
This may be possible but to be on the safe side I would suggest going with a bright, solid colored yarn to make your stitches better viewable for knitting.
Something so simple can make your first knitting experience a lot more enjoyable, which is what we want. :)

-Learn on wood or bamboo needles-
I understand that you inherited metal needles, found them at a garage sale, or picked them out because they were affordable... but if you don't HAVE to use them to learn how to knit, DON'T.
When knitting on metal needles you will find them to be much heavier and may find that your stitches are slipping all over the place. 
Not to mention they are insanely long and may be hard to maneuver and work around. 
Wood and bamboo needles tend to be much easier to learn with due to their lightness, grip on your stitches causing a fewer chances of your stitches actually slipping off your needle, and their reasonable length making it easier to knit.

These are just a handful of things that may actually make your first knitting experience a successful one.

Plus it helps to have a good teacher that is patient and willing to show you how to do something however many times you need.
I'm total game for hand holding so if you ever get me as a teacher, you're in good hands.

SO PAY ATTENTION...

I'd like to teach you and for a local reader I'd like to do that for free.
So if you are wanting to learn how to knit and complete your first project with my assistance, here is what you need to do:

1) Live in Casper, WY
2) Like my facebook page, which you can find the button/link for that to the right.
3) Share my blog.
3) Comment why you want to learn how to knit.

I will provide you with a set of knitting needles and a skein of yarn to complete your very first project!

I will announce who on Sunday, April 28th at 5:00pm.

I hope this blog posting has been good motivation to get you started and I am willing to help do just that...
Get your creative knitting juices flowing with confidence...

-C 

Hoops and Home

So there is nothing that could ever replace my love for knitting,

                                    but have I told you about how much I love hula hooping?

 

There is just something about it.
I'm big on creative outlets and an added bonus is that this one gets me off of my couch and gets me moving in ways I didn't know were possible.
It has totally awakened the little girl in me as I spin around my living room and if I'm lucky... outside.
It has restored some sway in these childbearing hips and a feeling of accomplishment when I nail a trick.
Not to mention, I have made some awesome friends and have bonded during some hoop gatherings, (did that sound nerdy? sweet.)
Just one more reason for me to get super excited for the summer on top of the massive spring snow storm that's happening right now.

Today will be spent inside and me occasionally glancing out the window to see what's happening with the snow.
Sounds like a good day to push aside the coffee table and the dining room table, turn on some music, and bust out our hoops. 

The school district did not call for a snow day today.
Some are surprised and some are not but despite that I took it upon myself to keep my son home.
He hasn't been feeling well and I think we were all in great need of a day inside with doing only the things that can be done from the couch or living room floor. 
The list of things to do feels like it is always growing and never ending.
It is nice to have a shortened list... Even if for today only.
Today will be full of book reading and journaling,
Knitting,
cleaning,
movies,
music,
hula hoop dancing,
naps,
computer work,
and constant internal debate if I really need to brave the weather for butter.

What are you doing today?

Love you ALL!

-C

P.s. Photo credit goes to the beautiful Sara LeeAnn Banevedes!  Love that Lady!
 

Baby knits

It's baby season.

Well I guess every season is baby season.

It seems my friends get pregnant in bulk which is why it may feel like it's baby season.

I'm far complaining here because this just means that I get to knit cute baby things without having to birth the child myself.

Baby items are my favorite to knit, partially because they are so little and somewhat fast, but also because it's a sweet way to welcome a baby into the world.

Every stitch was done with love for that child and I've had the joy of love stitching for a couple of sweet ones just recently.

Baby booties are always a must knit and especially ones with ties.

Not only do those little toes need to stay warm but they need to stay on and if you've had experience with babies... booties and socks can be super frustrating to keep on the feet of a munchkin.

I made these for baby Eli.

He was born alllllmost a week ago to some good friends of mine.  I watch one of his big sisters on occasion and will soon get him once a week when his mama goes back to work.
This family means so much to me and wanted to make sure that this little love bug got something special.

 

Another fun thing to knit would be baby garments.

I don't knit too many of them but think they are a ton of fun just due to the variety of patterns that are out there and especially for little girls.

I knit this "Milo Vest" for baby P and she is due to come next month. 

Her mama is seriously one of my closest friends and it seems she gets most of my love stitches.

I saw this pattern and knew that I had to knit it partially because it's construction, which is knit in one piece (with no seaming) but also for the fun cable chart options.  so that fun little braided cable that goes down the front of it is one of many options.

Plus I learned a couple new things.

There is a different bind off that it called for but I had to get this done and didn't bother to learn it but will be making another one for a class I plan to teach. 

 

 

 

If there is one thing that I have a hard time knitting for babies it would be blankets.
I have only completed one in the 4 years that I have been knitting and that was for my own daughter.
I do however have one on my needles right now and am hoping to get it finished within the next couple of months.
If I don't, I may as well rip it out and use the yarn for something else.
They just get to be long and tedious and I'm an instant gratification kind of girl.
I will however persevere and get it done.
(This is me encouraging myself)
I refuse to let another baby blanket go unfinished!

I've had people ask if we plan to have anymore kids and as of now... no.
But we will see what the future holds.
David and I have talked about and dreamed up our future in possibly adopting but there are a few things we'd like to get in order first before we consider bringing another baby into the family.
For now I am enjoying spoiling and kissing the faces of the two kiddos I have and the faces of other peoples babies.

Anyway I was on facebook earlier today and found this picture of Michael Jackson and his Llama.
I don't know why but I felt the need to post it on this blog.
I personally think he would look better with an Alpaca but that's just me...

 

 

I pray you all are having a blessed day despite the challenges you are facing. 
Time to enjoy the rest of your day!

-Caren

Missing

So my last day at the radio station was March 7th and I am going on my 2nd week being at home.  Some think I'd be going crazy by this point.  Some may think I lounge in my pajamas all day.  Some may not care.  BUT I'm doing well.

I miss my job.  I miss the people.  When I started working there I have no doubt that this job was God provided.  He brought me to this place knowing exactly what I needed and for a time I filled a need of theirs too.  God is always faithful to provide and at that time he provided for both me and the radio station and I KNOW he will continue to do that.  Provide.  That is just what he does cause God is cool like that.  But I miss it there.

I miss walking in, placing my things on my desk, and walking to the back to greet Aaron while he puts in programs for the day.

I miss visiting with Aaron about his time in Portugal as a missionary, our love of coffee, and of course our kids.

I miss sitting in my chair every morning while I ate a bowl of oatmeal and checked my email.  

I miss the warmth and the coziness of the building and nothing but the sound of the radio. 

I miss my friend, Joy.  Our laughing, sharing, collaborating, supporting.... 

I miss the opportunity to pray with complete strangers and on occasion, have a complete stranger pray for me. 

I miss Wanda's smiling face when she comes through the door and updates me on her goal progress and what's going on in her life. 

I miss them all and though it has only been a little over a week I can't help but to think that March 7th was the last day that I would experience it all.  That in itself makes me miss it though I've only been separated from it for a short time.  There is so much that I left behind but at the same time there is so much that I have gained. 

I have more time with my kids now which is AWESOME.  Now I just need to sit down and figure out what to do with that time.  I'm thinking I'll be pulling together a list of things for us to do.  Totally can't wait for the summer to come because I know that list will grow quite a bit once Brodey is out of school and he can do more.  But for now I'm sticking to play dates with Saiya and more time with Brodey when he gets out of school. 

So if you're worried that I'm going nuts... I'm not.  I'm keeping busy just with what I have at home and remember... I still have two other jobs. 

If you think I'm spending this time like its a vacation... Have you met me? 

I just plan to take this time one day at a time and am enjoying the fact that I now have an entire week to run errands and I don't have to shove it all into one day.  Can you imagine the relief I felt when I realized I didn't have to go grocery shopping on Monday but could go on Tuesday if I wanted to? 

Do I have more time to knit?  Not really but of course I will make time.  It is my therapy ya know?

I have a list a mile long of things that need to be made, things that are being made, and things that I want to make.  So slowly but surely I am working on it while at the same time slowly but surely adding on to it.  I just can't help it.  It's every knitters struggle but at least we will always have something to knit...

I have been thinking about doing more with this whole "Sereknitty And Purls" thing I have going on.  When I first started it I was taking on custom orders and blogging regularly.  I'm thinking about starting that back up again just a little bit to see how it goes.  maybe taking on a couple of custom orders here and there.  I've also been thinking about throwing in some lessons.  I already teach at my favorite local yarn shop but for those who can't make the classes I teach, maybe I can teach them from home...  I'm still not sure about that part yet and am not in a huge hurry to figure it all out quite yet.  We will see. 

Well, I'm not going to go knit but I am going to go do dishes.  I just wanted to give you all an update on this whole job thing.  I appreciate you all and I love yous...

Blessings!

Caren

Playing Catch Up

 So I've really seemed to have fallen off the blogosphere.  It's far from intentional and I hate that I am such a random blogger.  I have the thoughts, the pictures, but I seem to lack time.  I really enjoy writing on here.  It gives me a chance to share with my friends and family what I've been making and what I've been doing and allows for me to connect with new people that have interest in knitting. 

I've been trying to find new patterns lately that will help further my knitting skills.   I use to be very intimidated by trying new things in fear that I couldn't get the hang of it or totally mess up what I was working on.  Now, I just want to make things and if I don't know how to do it, then I will learn. 
Here are a few things that I've made over the last few months. 

Brodey's Birthday Hat :)
I learned how to do a Right Front Cross.
Gives a cool cabled look.



My stress knitting hat.
No new technique learned.
Just really needed to do some therapy knitting.



This is my first Entrelac project.
Ended up teaching a 3 hr workshop at my LYS. :)



A tutu!!
learned a new project for this yarn aside from scarves!



Mitten Ornaments
I made 9 of these for my nieces and nephews for Christmas :)



 I have made other things that I haven't loaded pictures for but maybe another time, right?
What I've been wanting to knit lately has been a super cozy shawl.  I don't know why but ever since I made a prayer shawl for a dear friend of mine I have wanted one for myself.  I have been working on one for my aunt that I keep running into snags on but am hoping to get it figured out somehow so she can at least enjoy one. 

There have been other exciting and busy things going on lately.  One of these things would be that my son Brodey turned 6 yesterday and got a ferret as an early birthday present a couple of weekends ago. 



Our newest family member

He named her Dorothy and she is by far one of the sweetest and most playful ferrets I have ever met.  I had two of my own growing up and so I was so excited to do this for him knowing that I too would enjoy having her.  But he is constantly saying that he is her daddy.  The sweet little names he calls her (baby, girlie, sweetie) just warms my heart.  This little boy really is her daddy and he takes such good care of her.

I've been working a lot lately.  If you didn't know I have 3 part time jobs.  One is at a local Christian radio station, one is doing property management from  my home, and one is working at my favorite local yarn store.  And I'm not the only one that works a lot.  David is gone a lot of the time for work and averages about 60 hr weeks... sometimes more. 

Lately I have felt like the job that is the most important is the one that is often times neglected.  Being a mom.  Now I'd like to think that I'm a pretty alright mom but I'm also a very busy mom that can sometimes be too busy.  I don't feel as though I am being the mom I want to be or being the mom that God is calling me to be.  So I've decided to make changes. 

One of those is to let go of a job that I have been so blessed by that I can't help but be saddened, but it is also the job the takes me out of the house on a consistent basis.  I feel it is important for me to be home more consistently being that David's schedule is so unpredictable.  I don't know how we will be sitting financially and I trust that we will be able to stick to our budget plan... I am just trusting God in this.  I truly believe that I am doing what God is calling me to do and have a feeling that he has some other things in store for me.

I feel peace in knowing that God will take care of us and that includes my family at the radio station.  I felt some what guilty because they have blessed me so immensely and I don't want to walk away leaving them in a tough position but thankfully they have been super encouraging and completely understanding.  Just another reason why I am so blessed.  Promises have been made to stay in touch and I was relieved to hear that I will still be invited to birthday lunches.  I just can't imagine not staying connected.  They have brought such joy into my life as we have prayed together, celebrated together, cried together, laughed together, supported each other...  I have been so blessed.

So as I'm preparing to leave this job and further improve my role as a mom, I can't help but to look into the future months and plan for the summer.  I envision lunch outside, playing at the park, story hour at the library, parade day, hula hooping in the yard, outdoor crafts, walking a few blocks to grab ice cream,  and maybe even a road trip or two.  I just can't help but get excited as I think about Farmers Market, NIC Fest, and possible music festivals we can go to.    It will be bitter sweet.

In this hectic life I have been super busy managing a renovation project for a property that I manage from home and occasionally teaching and planning at the Dancing Sheep. BUT I've been doing some playing as well... In the form of hula hoop dance.   


Took a cleaning break to get my hoop on.



It seems to be picking up in popularity but the more hoopers the better in my opinion!  It is a fun and creative way to get my body moving.  I feel more and more confident knowing that I am doing something to better use and tone my curves.  In some ways it is therapy of its own.  I just feel a total lift in my mood and spirit when I do this and can't wait when the weather gets nicer so I can play. :)  I just wish I had more time and bigger living room right now.  haha!

So now you know what's up with me....
What's up with you?

Blessings,

-C-



Hello Kitty (and neglected blog)



Birfday Mitts

I thought it was time to write.  Actually my friend Jami posted on my facebook wall and reminded me that I've been neglecting my blog.  She didn't say that exactly though.  Just reminded me that there are some people out there that actually read what I post and that she is one of them. :)  Thank you, Jami! 

My knitting lately has been crazy. I've been fairly proud of what I've made though and unfortunately haven't taken pictures of all that I've made. A lot of it has been gifted and I didn't think about pictures until after I've handed my precious work of art over.  I did manage to get a picture or two (or three) of what I've made recently. 

My sister just recently had a birthday and I knew exactly what I was going to make her after a trip to Hobby Lobby a couple of months ago.  These Bulky Green Mittens were so easy to make and I knitted and did a crochet edge on a heart applique.  The pattern is from Knitting Pure and Simple and can be found on Ravelry.  It's called "women's super bulky mitten" or something like that. 


Best pin cushion EVER!



Candy Corn Costume



Before I made those mittens I decided to dig back into a folder that I stored this sweet little cupcake pincushion pattern in.  I seriously have been wanting to knit a cupcake since I learned how to knit.  In fact my favorites on Ravelry has quite a few cupcake patterns on it from back in 2009.  I figured that I am well capable of making one now that it's been a few years and I am a much more experienced knitter than what I use to be.   Take a look!

This cupcake pin cushion is actually pretty cool.  It is knit from the bottom up.  Once I got to the pink frosting I filled it up with a little bit of poly fiber filling and then put one of those tomato pin cushions in there and just kept knitting my way around it.  I learned how to make knitted bobbles which is what gives it the textured edging.  I thought it turned out pretty cute!  Wish I had put filling in the cherry though. :/  I got so excited about it that I just pulled it shut without even thinking about filling it.  Oh well.  It's still cute and holds my pins and needles nicely.

I did manage to take on a couple of orders which I have not been doing much of.  One of the requests though was a little candy corn outfit for a sweet little 3 mos old named Owen. 

Behold.... A picture. 

It took me 4 days to make this which is actually not bad at all considering I didn't use big needles and it was last minute.  I don't have a pattern name for it or anything.  I just kind of what off of what I knew and winged it.  This is what came of it which I think is pretty darn cute if you ask me. 

There is plenty more that I've knitted and have been working on but now my attention has to be focused on Christmas knitting.   I'm hoping this year won't be as stressful as last seeming as how I'm not making anything super complicated or huge.  Just simple knit bits of love for the ones that mean the most to me :) 

Aside from knitting things have been kind of "Meh" around here.  David has been out of town.  I battled strep throat for a couple of weeks.  I've been working on top of taking care of kids, home, and knitting.  Oh and cats.  Can't forget about the cats.  We adopted a new one. 



Human cat tree



 Meet Jemma.  She WAS a stray that found her way into our home, where we have taken care of and have loved on her.  There is a huge long story as to how we managed to get her and it's much longer than what I'm willing to type but needless to say she was destined to be with us and so she is. 

In this picture she has perched herself on my shoulder where she hangs out and likes to snuggle my ears and face. :)  I think she is pretty special. 

Well I suppose it's time for me to do something productive.  :) 

I hope you all are doing well and appreciate you all for reading my random posts when I actually get around to it.  Life is busy and often times the things I enjoy doing go on hold. 

Have a fun and safe weekend everyone!

Blessings.  -Caren

p.s. disclaimer: I will not blamed or held accountable for poor grammer, incorrect spelling, or typos.  :)