Missing Virginia

I admit it.  Today I miss living in Virginia.  It's NOT because they are getting snow where I used to live (the mountain I used to live on might get 6" or so).  In fact, I really don't miss that one little bit.

I miss Virginia today, because my sister-in-law had her second child today.  My first niece.  And I can't go visit in the hospital.  We are hoping to see them in the next month or so, but it's not quite the same.

I guess I will just have to be content with the fact that I have a care package consisting of things I've been knitting for a few months that will be going out in the mail today.  That will have to cuddle with my niece while I can't.   Counting down the days till I get to see her (and the rest of the family in Virginia too).

Gratitude Challenge - Day 28

Today I am thankful that knitting is a lot like riding a bike.  It's been a LONG time since I picked up the knitting needles but I did so again last night and I made some serious progress on a project I want to finish before Saturday.  Although I have a self-imposed deadline I also find it a bit relaxing (another plus).

I'm also thankful that a friend of mine introduced me to a website that has videos that help me when I forget how to do something... very useful.

Just keep knitting, knitting, knitting

A while ago I wrote a blog article about how I was going to start knitting hats for preemies (Being Useful).  Shortly after moving to Florida, I found a local hospital that even listed on their website that they had volunteer opportunities for people who knit.  I left a message for the coordinator and got a call back a few days later.  After speaking on the phone for a couple minutes I decided to knit hat and sock sets (something I was told they would be able to use).

Last Thursday, I dropped off my first 2, knit baby sets (each consisting of a hat and matching socks).  I included a note asking for feedback so that I know how to proceed.  I heard back from them yesterday.  They said they liked them and would love to get more.  Luckily they don't need preemie ones often, so I've been asked to make them a regular newborn size.  I also got the ok to make a few on the larger size (for those rare babies like my son and nephew who have rather large heads).

She even told me that I should look into selling my sets.  Hmmmm... have fun and make money in the process.  Who doesn't like to do that?  Definitely something I will look into further at some point... just not now.

Renewed Energy

Knitting, knitting, kitting.  It seems like since April all I've been doing is knitting. I've knit while watching TV, while playing games with my kids, and even while riding in the car (this is actually scary because what happens to those needles if you crash?!?).

I've knit things for two baby showers and various family members.  Since April I've knit: 1 baby blanket, 4 baby hats, 3 baby mitten sets, 3 baby sock sets, and 5 pairs of socks for kids / adults.

Some of these projects I had to do multiple times; one pair of socks were too short, the cuffs on one pair of socks were too small, and the first hat I made for my nephew probably still doesn't fit because it was so big.  All part of the learning process, since I only started knitting a year and a half ago.

I finished all these projects a few days ago.  I was looking forward to taking a break for a while and then I remembered my intention to make hats for preemies.  I did a little research on that today and found a hospital in the area that even advertises knitting as a volunteer opportunity on their website!  I've left a message and am now looking forward to hearing back from them.  I've been working on this blog post for a while now, and it's original title was going to be "Glad That's Finally Over."  Having a possible focus again is so exhilarating! Bring it on!

For those of you family and close friends who are interested in receiving knit socks, a hat, or a scarf next Christmas, place your request now so I have an idea of what I have to do (and so I can figure out how much I can commit to at the hospital).

If there are any of you out there who are interested in purchasing something for your friends or family I might be open to that as well (after all who doesn't like to make money doing something they enjoy doing in their spare time).

Grandma Would be Proud

Today I finished my first pair of knit socks.  Until the last couple of years of her life, my grandmother knit socks for all her kids and grand-kids, as well as many of her nieces and nephews each and every year.

About a year before my grandmother passed away, she came to Virginia to visit with my parents (and by the fact that I lived 6 minutes away my family as well).  While she was visiting, I made a point to have her teach me how to knit.  Granted, her eye sight wasn't what is used to be, nor was her manual dexterity what it used to be.  But she showed me a few basics and she made sure that I had all of her patterns (including the pattern she used for the socks she made for Christmas presents).

Since that day, I have had a few friends give me some pointers and I've also found a website that has some videos I've been able to watch, but I owe my knitting to my grandmother.  I wanted to carry on the tradition of knitting socks for my family at Christmas.  In fact, I was going to make my first pair of socks for her, but she passed away before I was able to make them.  Instead, the first pair of socks I made are for my nephew (due in mid-Sept).  I did not use my grandmother's pattern (I wanted something a little more "baby"), but I'm planning on working on some of those for my kids next.