Tuesday, January 19, 2010

See Doris Knit, Etc.

In what seems like a past life, when I was married and had three young kids, I used to knit. I knitted tiny beaded bags out of perle cotton on size 0000 needles (no, that's not a typo). It was like knitting with large tapestry needles. Now that I'm thinking of that little bag, I'll add a pic if I ever dredge it up from the black hole that has consumed my long-ago-abandoned projects. My silly sister gave me (and went as far as signing me up, schedule unseen) a knitting class for Christmas, because I keep saying, "I wanna make one of those felted bags" and "I wanna knit socks." Get ready for my new knitty experience ...

I know! This is the bottom of a buttonhole bag, which you can see here. While you're over there, check out the Mason-Dixon Knitting blog. It's very fun. So, anyway, I intended to bail on my class and try to get into one next month, when life will hopefully look better. But the lady at the LKS told me it'd be good for me. She was right. I was so quickly hooked that, when I got as far as I could after Lesson #1, I went back and got more stuff to start a second bag (because Sharri's gonna cry 'til she gets one) so I wouldn't forget what I'd learned (great excuse, huh?). And looky here (note Merlin in the background checking out the psycho-woman's new habit) ...


Another bag bottom is ready to go. I'm beside myself in anticipation of the next class, so I'll be showing you more soon (she said confidently). How this new addiction will fit in with the old addiction, I'm not sure. We'll just go with it.


I took some days off last week to be away from people, and I figured I'd start something new to treat myself. I couldn't do it. So I cleaned and sat and watched a movie or two and read some blogs, and there it was. There, in Su's corner of blogland, was just the reminder I needed about a little project, hidden away in my I-wanna-do-this-soon drawer, that I could start and finish in a day. So I did.


It's My Pins, of course, from Shepherd's Bush, stitched as kitted, finished as directed, and stuffed with walnut shells. The ricrac was a little bright for me, so I treated it to a boiling coffee bath to tone it down a little. It didn't help much, but it's cute enough. I appreciate Su's inspiration at just the right moment to get me going.


Then I pulled out the Shepherd's Bush 2009 Fob that I stitched a while back. Anyway, I dragged it out of the WIP drawer and finished it up as a pin cushion. This one is stitched as kitted, finished sort-of as directed (I added knots in the silk ribbon at each corner), stuffed with walnut shells, and photographed (ugh, in artificial light this evening) on the backing fabric I chose (which matches so much better IRL).




I stitched another one over one, which will be making an appearance here as soon as another little button comes in. So another little project is finished and a third is waiting to be finish-finished. Finishing little projects is surprisingly therapeutic.

I'm gonna leave you with many thanks for the uplifting and extremely kind words you've all shared with me about Mom. I sat here last week and cried into my oatmeal more than once, and I probably needed to do that. I'm not gonna tell you how awful work is (except the kids who are lovely), but I'm gonna tell you something positive. I make fun of men a lot, largely because it's so easy (oops, that wasn't nice ... see what I mean?), but I have to tell you about the man I hang around with. He has been nothing but supportive and helpful and understanding during the last few months, and especially since our extremely emotional family Christmas. What a man ... truly. That's just one of the ways that I'm lucky. There are many others, and I'm working at remembering them. And now I'm gonna try to sleep. Make some fun.

29 comments:

Annie Bee said...

Beautiful finishes - I haven't heard of stuffing with walnut shell before. Do you buy them in a bag. How wonderful for you to have a supportive man.

Giovanna said...

Those little finishes are just lovely, congrats! Your knitting looks great too, I'm sure you'll be able to fit in with your stitching without too much difficulty :-)

Hazel said...

Love your knitting and your finishes are great! x

Siobhán said...

Well, shedang, Doris!! What gorgeous stuff. I am so impressed. I would love to learn to knit properly. I know how to but only seem to produce very scary looking wonky a** scarves. I need a class or five. I can't wait to see things as you progress. Love the SB finish, too!

I'm so glad that the man you hang around with has been so supportive. Know that prayers and thoughts continue for you & your family.

Anonymous said...

Funny, I have been looking at SB kits - never done any and feel tempted.
You know it takes time to feel steady again after such a blow. Seems like needles are helping you out. Good. And good for the man too, who supports you - and why not, he is lucky to have you.
Thinking of you, of SB kits and knitting... ;-)

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I love your finishes...and WOW on your bag bottoms, can't wait to see the tops ;)

Margaret said...

Oh wow! Love your new knitting WIPs! It'll be fun to see how the bags turn out. And I love your SB finishes too -- so pretty!

Faye said...

Doris, I have been really thinking about you lately and want you to know I will still hold you and your family in my prayers.Just know you have alot of stitching friends out here who care about you. Do what you have to do during this time whether it be some alone time or whatever you think you need to do. I love the stitching updates you posted so let stitching be your outlet..... Faye ps:The knitting is so cute!!

staci said...

Great bag bottoms...love the colors. You're gonna be hooked for sure :) I went through a serious felted bag phase...made like 30-40 (I think I might still have 1 or 2 lurking around.) Even taught a class at a now defunct LYS.

Love, love, love your SB pincushion and fob! The colors are so pretty and your finishing is fabulous!!! {{hugs}}

KarenV said...

I love both of your little SB finishes, so cute! Your knitting looks great too - it sounds like it's just what you need right now.

Glad to hear that you have a supportive man - I know they're worth their weight in gold.

Jennifer said...

Doris, all your new work, stitching, knitting ,finishing is great. We are fortunate to have this in our lives. What do people do who don't have these wonderful hobbies? ! So happy to hear about your wonderful guy! He is lucky to have you to . Still keeping you and all your family in my thoughts...xoxo

Barb said...

Doris, I really enjoy reading your blog. You really just keep it real.

I'm planning on doing some knitting also. Back to my roots so to speak. I knitted my first sweater when I was in high school. I get that itchy knitty feeling and just gotta do something about it!

Melissa said...

Awww, that's a lovely thing you said about your guy. Having someone supporting you is a tremendous thing.

Nice to see all those finishes! And wow, another knitter! The idea of a felted bag is very appealing. I look forward to seeing your progress.

Diana said...

Your new finishes are very pretty! Shepherd's Bush fobs have such cute sheep. I look forward to seeing more of your new addiction.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

I love your finishes!
Have been thinking of you lately and hoping and praying that you find peace and calmness after all the holidays and stress.
Yes, it makes a world of difference when your man is supportive. I know for me it does.
I've read alot about stuffing this little pinkeeps with Walnut shells. Where do you get those?
I thought about rice. Have you ever heard of that before?
I know I have that on hand all the time!!!

I'm so jealous of the knitting too by the way. I took one class and loved it, got stuck at home, messed it up and haven't taken it back to learn how to correct my mistake. I was just trying to make my little Ren a scarf! Oh, how pitiful for me right? LOL
I really want to learn one day how to knit better.

Jennifer

Deb said...

Your pincushion and fob are absolutely adorable Doris! What a couple great finishes. Can I hire you to finish off my things - I love to stitch them, but hate finishing them off!

And love the knitting too. Is it the time of the year or is it just fun to have a new craft project too work on? I find knitting really soothing (as long as I don't make mistakes). I'm definitely going to have to keep those bags in mind.

And you've got a winner with the supportive man! So many aren't, so I think that you have a keeper!

Loraine said...

Just wanted you to know how sorry I was to read about your Mom. What a terrible thing to loose her, my heard is broken for you. I'm glad you have stitching, friends, and other family members to keep your spirits ups. My prayers are with you.
Beautiful finishes. I love the kitting as well. It is going to be a darling bag.
Take care and many hugs!

valerie said...

Love your knitted starts...The looks so soft and cushy. Can't wait to see your progress after class #2. It's good that you're allowing yourself a few days and enjoying the little things. So great that you have a support system with your guy!

Love your finishing finishes too!

Coni said...

So here's a very wierd and creepy thought (but for some strange reason it always manages to give me great comfort)...

When you are at your very lowest point and are indeed crying into your oatmeal, please know that somewhere in the world is a person. Just sitting in a chair. Thinking of you. And they're probably wondering "Gee, I wonder how dear Doris is doing. I'm going to send her a happy thought." And then they do.

Your knitting ROCKS, by the way.

Kellie said...

Look at you with the knitting! Love it! I have always wanted to learn how to really knit. I mess with it from time to time, but I don't really know how to make anything. I wish there was a class around here somewhere. It looks fun. Love all your finishes. My Pins is so adorable.
Glad the man you hang around with has been so wonderful. Good guys are hard to find. I am continuing to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Love your knitting and your sweet little stitched finishes. YGG

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

You have been one busy girl! I love all your smalls finishes - they are just darling and your finishing is super! Can't wait to see your bags as you progress and then finish! So glad the man you hang around with is such a great guy!

Karen said...

Love your finishes, Doris, and your knitting is gorgeous. I really like your yarn colors. I'm glad your fella is such great support. I know a good man is hard to find (it took me 30 years!)

Katrina said...

Love your finishes and the knitting is gorgeous.

Lots of good thoughts for you and your family. It's so nice to know you can count on your man :-).

Von said...

I'm so glad your husband is one of those understanding types! They can be a comfort in tough times. :)

Love your sweet little finishes, Doris!

Pam said...

I'm really glad to see that you are back and that you have found your love of knitting once more. That was nice of your sister to think of you.

mainely stitching said...

Oh, I just LOVE your knitting! :D And I'm so glad to hear you've got some wonderful people around you (even a male one!). Sending loving hugs.

Ellen said...

Love your little finishes! Funny, I am also into knitting recently. I am knitting scarves, not that I need them in Singapore's weather.

It's great that you have a supportive man behind you. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

Hugs,

Anonymous said...

Doris, the MyPins looks great and I can't wait to see this new knitting obsession!!!