summer change.

In keeping with some of the blogs that I enjoy following, I wanted to post my summer manifesto as well! It’s hard not to be thinking about the summer when the sun has been out, I am 33 weeks pregnant today & life seems to be flying past me in this last trimester (I didn’t want to believe people when they said time flies at the end … but they are right). So here’s mine:

Number 10 is especially important to me – I have been keeping that running in my mind like a mantra the past couple of weeks. As we approach birth, breastfeeding and parenting, I am heeding all of my midwives' advice (I have 5 midwives – it’s a shared practice so whomever is on call when you go into labour, stays with you): “Plan for the best, educate yourself about the worst, keep your expectations low (to ensure no disappointment), and above all, remember that this is your experience, whatever it looks like.” I have approached pregnancy with this mind set and I have to admit, looking towards the end now, I can honestly say I have enjoyed the experience. I don’t want to be pregnant forever (especially because I keep spilling things on my belly because it’s in the way) but I’m glad I didn’t go into it thinking, “This is going to be the best!” or “This is going to be the worst & I’m going to hate it!” It was neither. It was what it was.

And now we are looking to a summer of enormous change! What are you looking forward to this summer?

plugging along.

I thought I would join in Ginny’s Yarn Along this week since I haven’t been sharing much of my knitting lately and I am really enjoying the book I’m reading right now.

Inkspell by Cornelia Funke is the sequel in a trilogy to Inkheart (the last book is called Inkdeath). They are ‘children’s’ books but I love the story. I read Inkheart before the movie came out – which is getting to be a long time ago now – and loved it. Inkspell has been sitting on my shelf waiting for me to open it. I finally plunged in this week. It is not disappointing me! I love the character of Meggie – she’s definitely my favourite. A friend of mine likened these books to Harry Potter, but I think that does both series a disservice. They are both good fantasy stories and I am enjoying the Ink books for different reasons than Harry Potter. The fantasy world of Ink is pretty cool – Cornelia weaves a masterful tale!

In terms of knitting … Gathering Stripes is coming along quickly. I haven’t really shared about this since I have been sewing up a storm instead but I’ve been working on it in the car, work and in the evenings. I am currently half-way down the first sleeve. I am torn about whether to finish the hems as per the pattern or to follow Kelly’s modifications … she didn’t sew the hem but instead left it curled nicely … I quite like it … thoughts?

For those in Canada, have a wonderful May Long weekend – I hope the weather is beautiful wherever you are & that you’re doing something fun :) We’re going camping … in a tent … when I am 7.5 months pregnant – I don’t think it’ll be a big deal and I’m dying to get out of the ‘city’ but I’ll let you know how it goes haha … :)

same same.

I can’t say that the self-induced sweatshop of diaper sewing has finished as I have 8 sitting next to me half done. They only need their leg elastic and top-stitching. The end is in sight! Overall, I have really enjoyed making them. They became very fast in the end as I started to operate on auto-pilot while making them, my mind wandering elsewhere. It was quite enjoyable! I didn’t include in my cost breakdown the cost of thread – this ended up being close to $20 because they eat thread like crazy. I was able, however, to use up a bunch of bobbins that had odds and ends on them since I didn’t care about coordinating colours/matching fabric to thread. Something to keep in mind :)

I have been knitting, though!

Since I really enjoy Ginny’s Yarn Along on Wednesdays, I thought I would share what I’m reading & knitting.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain is an account of both research and experience about being introverted in an extroverted world. I picked it up after hearing her interviewed on Q with Jian Ghomeshi. Her ideas about introverted-ness, along with the research to support many of her claims, captivated me as I am a classic introvert – although I have learned to be quite extroverted when I need/want to be. For anyone out there who is quiet – not necessarily shy as she outlines in the book that this is quite different – it’s a book worth picking up for the sheer joy of reading how to find our ‘sweet spot’ in balancing our natural tendency as introverts to want time alone but also be active in the world around us. It’s also nice to read that it’s not a disease and there’s nothing wrong with us if we don’t absolutely love group work! What a relief!

In terms of knitting. Kelly inspired me to finally try the contiguous method, which I have read/heard is the most perfect fit of all the sweater construction methods. I was curious to understand the method so I bought Walnuss and cast on for Same Same – I know, confusing. You get both patterns when you buy Walnuss and can opt for either method – I wanted it for the contiguous method, hence casting on for Same Same. I have finished the yoke and am currently finishing the armholes. I placed it on my dress form last night & Kelly was totally right – the fit is unreal. I’ll keep you posted. I’m actually thinking about making this a pullover rather than another cardigan – not sure at this point but may join it in the round beneath the bust.

The yarn has been reknit and stashed repeatedly for a long time – it’s discontinued Rowan Purelife (DK) Organic Wool. I absolutely love this wool but I think because it’s my favourite colour and I love it so much, nothing I make is “good enough” in it and I end up frogging it. Hopefully, this will not be another one of those stories.

I’m out into the garden to weed – we have sun here so I want to take advantage! Happy Wednesday :)