Kindness, The Hat, and Stress

I woke up this morning a bit irritated with some people being-in my opinion- quite rude online. This happens of course. Being on the Internet gives us all the ability to say whatever we want whenever we want with the ability to not see who we are saying it about.


But I was always taught the best way to say something was with positive reinforment.

For example: in karate if I was pivoting wrong during a sidekick my instructor might say "Your sidekick gets nice power behind it, and has a nice height, you just need to make sure when you throw your kick you also pivot your base foot to complete the sidekick in proper form" these two positive things to a negative thing leave me feeling good, and determined to be better, not discouraged away from karate.

It's the same with knitting. If someone is doing something people deem "wrong" or "sloppy" or whatever, instead of just saying those negative things and leaving it in the cold world of the Internet, they should say some positive things with it. These things help to leave the knitter from feeling discouraged from wanting to knit again. This is especially important on the Internet where tone is impossible to hear, people can't hear how helpful your tone was intended to be.

It's important in this world, to be kind. Especially with so much negativity in the world. The last thing anyone would want is to discourage someone from the joy of knitting, right?


And now onto today's disaster.

Today's hat disaster.

Today's bad news.

I shaped the crown. I sweat bullets and put all my time and love into those double pointed needles. I was filled with anxiety about using five needles at once.

And we ended up with this:

It's unwearable. It's bad. I'm a terrible knitter. I'm cranky. I should never knit anything but dishcloths.

So instead my dad is getting a very nice tassel bookmark for Christmas. He reads a lot and gave me my love for reading so I think he will like it.

I'm exhausted now. But one Christmas present is down. I'm stressed. And tired. And I've lost a tiny bit of faith in people and knitting in general.

I'm stressed. I'm stressed about these Christmas presents. I want them to be loved by my family. I want them to be loved. I'm stressed my dad won't like his bookmark. I'm stressed about a lot of things. Like my knitting ability and all the other things in life.

Blah. Plain garter stitch square today. If I don't just out my needles down for good in a fit of rage I might start my mom's Christmas slippers The Snow Day Slippers for her Christmas present. Which thankfully has NO ROUND KNITTING HURRAY!

Which reminds me I need to buy Christmas wrapping paper and another tote box.

So much to do. So little me.

A Relaxed Hot and Rainy Saturday

I spent a good bit of last night having a heart to heart with my sister and laughing and having a good time. It cheered me up quite a bit from my cranky mood.

And I slept in with the Husbando this morning so it's been a good start to the day.

It's still super hot here in Kentucky. And my head still hurts. I got a few more rounds done on my dad's Christmas hat and measured it, I'm about 2 inches away from slipping it onto double pointed needles and starting the crown shaping. Which is a bit scary. And the hat seems quite large but I suppose I'll just have to see when it's done.

I'm pretty excited to see where it will go. And I've been reading the seaside knitters mystery series again, it's been very good so far! I'm excited to see where it will go.

And I did a few more rows on Nell's Sea Silk Scarf. The pattern is starting to show up, and I'm starting to get the hang of knitting it. It's really pretty but I'm still sweating bullets over lace knitting. I'm worried it's too thin, too impractical, that no one but me likes it.

And it did rain today, I was hoping the rain would cool it down some but no, still hot. Other than that it's been a relaxed and nice day. 

I tried the Nell's Scarf pattern for my blanket today. I wasn't sure if I would like a lace pattern for my blanket-even in worsted weight yarn, so I did two garter stitch rows as a reinforced border. I seems decently sturdy. I probably won't do a lace pattern again for the blanket but it's okay for one square I think. 

Boneyard Shawl lust, the start of Christmas gifts, and more oh my!

I know what I said yesterday. I said that I would finish a wip and be down to one project. But I lied. I lied terribly. I am going to start more projects. I can't help it. I mean, I probably could, but I don't want too.

I still have to knit the gryffindor scarf but I know if I finish it too soon I'll give it to The Husbando before his birthday so I'm kind of ignoring it.

I'm slowly working on the teddy bear surprise thing and have resigned that it will be gifted way before his birthday. Oh well.

And now I'm casting on two new projects. One is a hat for my dad for Christmas, the first of my Christmas presents that I hope to knit. An orange hunting hat. Knit in the round which I have always been terrible at so pray for me. And my seaside knitters mystery scarf.

I've also been eyeballing the Boneyard Shawl on ravelry and have picked out some yarn online that would look lovely with the pattern. It would be a huge undertaking for a beginner like me but its so pretty and it looks fairly easy. Has anyone knit it, what do you think? Here is a link to the boneyard shawl and here is the Beginner's seamless hat pattern I am knitting for Christmas. And in case you were wondering I am totally fueled to try this by WEBS yarn annual summer sale.


I love knitting it has helped me heal from hurts and grow as a person and make wonderful friends. Like Tory from ThePaupersCloest aka Shirefolk Yarns who sent me a lovely get well card. It made me smile so much today. I've never had a friend who sent me a get well card or was so sweet before. This community is so tight knit (pun intended) and wonderful.

Thank you so much. 

The card was beautiful too! 

And great news, after a failed attempt, I've successfully cast in AND knit a round in the round!

Failed attempt 

Successful attempt!!! 

Yay! I hope I continue well and don't mess it up at any point. Lol. 

And we got some good news today so it's been a very very good day!!!!

Tried The Four Row Cable Slanting Right again and it turned out much better, still not great bUT better! And it's been a MAGICAL day!!! And The Husbando is off for TWO DAYS!! WAHOOO!!! :)