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Friday, January 01, 2016

Full of Good Moments


Hi, Knitters,
Happy New Year to all of you! 

When I was young, maybe a teenager, I remember that I would often figure out how old I would be in the year 2000. I could never remember what my age would be, so every time I would have to figure it out again which is kind of funny but not surprising. The number would never stick in my head. It seemed so far away and thinking about myself in my mid-thirties was hard to imagine way back when. I would try to dream about what my life would be like at that point and really I couldn't possibly have imagined it. Honestly, I don't know what got me thinking about the year 2000 today.

Now that it's another new year I am taking a moment to remember that sort of momentous year in history, the year I used to think about so often, the year when those numbers flipped over. This morning for some reason I am taking stock of what had happened in my adult-life at that point. Some of these things you may not know about me.

By the time the year 2000 had finally arrived... 
I had been happily married for 11 years, 
I had already moved five times in my married life, 
My beloved mother had battled acute leukemia twice and had miraculously survived, 
My father had passed away four years earlier,
I had stopped teaching in the public schools where I had been commuting to work about an hour each way for several years with kids in tow, 
I had had four kids and a miscarriage in seven years, our youngest was only 6-months old,
And of course, through it all I had been knitting non-stop for the last 16 years. 

The year 2000 came and went in a blur that was barely noticed. The year that I had dreamed about as a youngster? It turns out I didn't have much of a moment to think about it, literally. I didn't even have a moment to take a shower most days or if I did someone was probably yelling for me and pounding on the door (remember those days?). It was a wild time in life, sleepless and full of everything, full of laughter and joy and some sadness and little kids and babies and family and love. All of it. There were ups-and-downs and everything in between. I remember those days with fondness and amazement. I loved it.

So it seems that 16 years later life would have slowed down a bit and in certain ways it has and in other ways it is still just as busy or maybe even busier at times, but it's a different kind of busy now. Life has moved on and progressed as it should. Things become more meaningful in some ways. It's a good time in life, happy and interesting and full, not without bumps here and there. I am thankful for all of it. 

I always feel like I should be reflective somehow when a new year begins but it doesn't always happen. I'm not really one for resolutions. I just always strive to try harder to do a better job with everything all of the time. That's a blanket resolution that covers it all. I'm not always successful but I try.

I had a couple of people comment (in a nice way) in regards to a photo I posted online last week that my life always looks so perfect. That made me pause. I replied, "No, it isn't but there are good moments." Mine certainly is not a perfect life, not by long shot, but there are many good moments from the past and hopefully many yet to come. I like to share the good moments.

Anyway, back to this new year, 2016. I woke up this morning and thought I should acknowledge this new and fresh year somehow and be somewhat thoughtful about it. I was looking for a good way to welcome the new year in writing so I started looking up some quotes or inspirational messages to see if anything would catch my eye. Here is a quote that I came across that struck a note with me. 

“And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.” 
— Rainer Maria Rilke, poet 

2016 will be full of things that have never been. I like this way of looking at the new year. The year ahead will be full of new things, fresh things, changing things, growing things, and things I could never imagine! And that's exciting to think about.

Together I hope we can discover things that have never been in 2016. I hope your 2016 is very full with good things that have never been, both new and old. I am always hopeful that the new year ahead will be the best year yet. 

With that and no matter what events happen in our collective lives, let's knit the heck out of 2016 and make and create things that have never been! We can do it.


Now let's chat about the sock knitting. 

JoAnna from Knit Spin Farm sent me some of her lovely handspun for socks as a gift. I was blown away by the kind gesture and the yarn. Thank you! It's fabulous. Knitting with JoAnna's handspun makes me realize that I need to work harder on my own handspun because hers is pretty near perfect. Maybe this should this be my resolution this year. Anyway, the yarn is glorious. You can see that I am having a great time knitting with it.

Yarn: 102 grams of fingering weight yarn. It appears that JoAnna spun half of the fiber as a traditional marled 3-ply and the other half of the fiber is Navajo-plied to keep the colors in check to create a self-striping yarn. Genius! JoAnna suggested striping the 2 skeins and that is exactly what I am doing to a wonderful effect. I am switching colors every 4 rounds for the leg and foot of the sock. The cuff, heel and toe is knit in the striping yarn only. The second sock will be completed the same. 

I sincerely think this is the best sock I have ever knitted. That's how strongly I feel about it.

Fiber: 100% Cheviot from Quillin Fiber Arts in the Owls colorway (LOVE the name).


Sock pattern: My free pattern: How I Make My Socks

Project bag: From Hue Loco on Etsy.

Sock blocker: From The Loopy Ewe.



Click here for the Knit Spin Farm Etsy Shop! JoAnna is such a talent, I can heartily endorse all of her products as I have used and purchased everything she offers in her shop and have loved it all. She cares and she is thoughtful about her shop and it shines through.

I think that's enough for today. Have a relaxing holiday weekend ahead, Knitters.

In a few days I am posting a gigantic giveaway that will include 10 winners. Each winner will receive a signed copy of my new book, Kids' Knitting Workshop, that was just released a couple of weeks ago, and each winner will receive 3 skeins of yarn for projects in the book. I can't wait!
xo ~ susan

44 comments:

  1. Happy New Year Susan! Thank you for always brightening my days!
    Here's to a happy knitting year and discovering all the thins that haven't been!
    Connie
    connknits on Ravelry

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  2. So I have a question about sock blocking. Does it stretch the sock out? I am new to sock knitting and the socks I have made fit me perfectly without blocking, so naturally I am nervous to stick them on the sock blocker and ruin all my work. Please advise. :)

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  3. Happy New Year Susie. You bring joy & hope to your fellow knitters' lives. Thanks for sharing your knitting, your family life & just being you. I know the new year will bring amazing & inspiring knit creations for us all & I look forward to it. Best wishes for a fun & fulfilling 2016. Amy Morgan

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  4. klhp ~ I don't block my socks on the blockers or really much at all. I use the blockers mainly for photography or to check progress as I'm working. The only blocking I do is to gently stretch the socks into shape after they are washed and let them dry flat.

    I hope this helps.
    susan

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  5. Happy New Year Susan! Amanda and I are looking forward to seeing you in October :-)

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  6. Happy New Year, Susie! It's funny, the way you described your life in 2000 is almost exactly how my life is now, though without the commute and job. But all the kids, the craziness, the blink of an eye moments, those I can identify with for sure. I just keep going, not really hoping it will slow down, but take a look around every now and then and reflect. I know someday the kids will be old enough to drive or get married (hey, if they can even get their own shoes on someday I'll call it a win!) But for now it's nice to hold the kiddos a little closer and snell their hair a little longer. In just a few more years they won't want me to do that any more. Blessings to you and your family this year!

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  7. This totally warmed my heart & thank you for starting 2016 by sharing deep thoughts! I love how you cherish your blessings -- trying to be mindful of the good things, myself. 💟 Lighthearted on Rav.

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  8. I wish you a 2016 filled with wonder and joy! (And socks, of course.) -Keonaona

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  9. Hi Susan!
    Thanks for mentioning us here and on Instagram! We sell your patterns in our shop - they are always popular. Your socks are beautiful!

    Dedri

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  10. Happy New Year! May there be many more good moments in 2016!

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  11. That yarn is making a beautiful sock.
    Your blog today made me think back both to 2000 and to a few years earlier when my boys were young children. Thanks for the memories.

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  12. Hi Susan. I have a question about the Mary Janes in the Spud and Chloe At the Farm book. I don't know where to ask the question. I'm sure the pattern is wrong. Could you direct me to where I would go to ask about this? Thanks from Glennys Savage.

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  13. Hi Glennys,
    Go to the spud and Chloe website and send them an email with your question through their contact information. The company owns the pattern and they are great at helping. Thanks! Susan

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  14. Hau'oli Makahiki Hou Susan. May this new year bring you heart-bursting joy and more laughter + new fiberous adventures.

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  15. Happy 2016! Thanks for your inspiring messages.

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  16. Beautiful words.
    Thank you for sharing.

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  17. New Year's Day was my mom's 85th birthday. I feel blessed to still have her and my dad. (He's younger---his 85th birthday will be in March.) I am with you, dear Susan---I don't have any lofty goals or resolutions for the year, but I love the idea of knitting the heck out of it. And if some sewing/quilting happens too, so much the better.

    Happy, healthy new year!

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  18. Happy new year! Thank you for your integrity and knitting super powers. You always motivate me to make the best use of of my 24 hours ahead.

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  19. This post is exactly why I tell everyone that you are my favorite knitter. You are a genuine, positive, generous and kind hearted person. The type of person that I strive to be and that I feel I've raised my children to be. Also, the type of person, actually people, that I want to surround myself with. Happy New Year Susan, to you and your family.

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  20. Happy New Year to you & yours <3

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  21. KnitdarlingJanuary 02, 2016

    Finally got to read your blog today. Thank you. I too would often think about where I'd be in the year 2000 and make plans of what I thought my life would be like. It is nothing like that but that's not bad - in fact I thinks its better than I could imagine. What do we know when we are 11? Thank you for the quote - I'll be sharing it with my students Monday!

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  22. Happy new year!
    In the year 2000 (or Y2K) I worked overnight in the hospital CCU as a registered nurse, fully expecting the computers to take a nosedive at the turn of the new year! I was 8 months from marriage. I was NOT a knitter, not for another 11 years.
    Beautiful sock yarn! What a treasure.

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  23. I love this post! Thanks for sharing, I have many of the same thoughts. You are such a positive person!!! Happy New Year.

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  24. Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing! I love those socks - Joanna's handspun is glorious. What a great idea to stripe it with itself. Genius.

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  25. Wonderful post full of interesting things to think about! Thanks for the link to your knitting 'pattern'. This year I am going to learn to knit socks!!! Happy New year!

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  26. Yesterday I was also reflecting on the year 2000. Somehow I think that year will always be a marker for many of us. I just loved your post. It actually brought tears to me eyes. So many changes that we've all had in our lives, both good and bad. But I, like you, prefer to concentrate on the good things, and there are many. One of the best things has been the kindness of knitters. Happy New Year!

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  27. Those socks are lovely. Happy New Year!

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  28. Finally had time to read your blog today after our daughter and her little family returned home from a wonderful 2 week visit. You are so right, it seems life should be simpler and slower when our children are grown but for me at least, it isn't but I don't mind. I love my stage of life right now, and love having little ones to knit for. I finished a 'Mary' doll for my grand daughter when she was here and I think she loves it. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us.

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  29. Happy New Year. Thanks for the thoughts and perspective on the new year. Thanks also for the great new book. I gave one to my granddaughter for Christmas...along with a project bag I made and filled with notions, yarn, and needles for the hat project. We are headed for a year filled with fun.

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  30. janinetowers@yahoo.comJanuary 04, 2016

    I'm really upset about knit designer who lets her directions get progressably vague as it comes to the end of the pattern. I am a literal knitter. I have no imagination on what comes next RS vs LS unless it's written. Stuck and writing to blog designer got no response as I am knitting a pattern 4yrs old. Sorry just needed to vent a bit.

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  31. Happy New Year Susan! It is amazing to think back and reflect on how life was different at various stages. The 2000 life I lived seems like it belonged to a different person. Funny enough, my daughter brought out a picture from 2000 this year of me reading the Night Before Christmas to my three little ones in front of our clearly kid decorated tree (one branch had at least 6 ornaments on it!) It got me thinking about 2000 and what was happening - we got a new puppy who has since passed on from old age. So much has happened since then besides a dogs entire life - some of it sad and tragic - however - like you said, it was also full of good moments. Knitting has become an important part of my life - it has kept me stitched together through the hard times and given me joy and a creative outlet in good times. I am thankful for you, your blog and your podcasts for all the inspiration and sense of kinship you have provided. And the socks are Awesome!

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  32. Thank you Susan and Happy New Year! And yes, let's knit the heck out of 2016!!

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  33. Happy new year! You've got me trying to remember the year 2000 now, I don't really want to haha I was in high school still :/ Love your handspun socks, they're looking gorgeous!

    And I can't wait for the book giveaway, I've got two girls itching to learn lately

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  34. I love that quote and the thought that the year shall be full of things that have never been. It can go so many ways. I'd also have to agree about how lovely those socks look.

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  35. Cheerful and honest. Thank you for that. I love your blog. One of my new years resolution is to keep a knitting journal l. I'm trying to write in it daily. I'm currently learning to make a top-down sweater and I'm journaling all my thoughts about it. It's actually fun.
    Rosalba

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  36. Ugg, I hit the button to soon. I just made a comment and can not go back to it. I am TXPinkChic on Ravelry. I mentioned about the tornados and the elem. school that got hit in our area. I would love to do some community charity knitting.

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  37. Love teaching children and adults to knit. It is awesome to see the joy on their faces as the knit away. Teaching my younger daughter now she loves the snowman and hat. My ravelry name is rdhknitter my email is rdhknitteremt@gmail.com

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  38. I love to teach children and adults also to knit. It is awesome to see the joy on their faces as they knit away teaching my daughter to knit now. She loves the snowman and hat pattern my ravelry name is rdhknitter and my email is rdhknitterent@gmail.com

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  39. My daughter has been trying to learn to knit and I think your book would inspire her. She loves your toys so it's going to be a struggle getting her to start at the beginning.
    RavID swtblu

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  40. I would love to teach my little cousin, best friend, and mother-in-law how to knit. I feel like when I teach I tend to over-complicate it. I think this book would be great in assisting me on how to teach knitting. I have seen multiple reviews on if and I would love to win it!
    Ravelry ID: pinksheep33

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  41. Hi, Susan! I just love this post! I love to knit but struggle to find time, but it's all good! I have 4 little ones that range from 3 months to 9 years. They have all enjoyed adorable knit hats, thanks to your patterns. My 9 year old snuggles up with the giraffe that I made her years ago almost every night-- another great pattern! (I told her that I would make something special, just for her, to celebrate being a new big sister, and she chose the giraffe out of Itty Bitty Toys!) Anyways, your post warmed my heart as I am at that stage of struggling to find time to shower, but loving it just the same. Thank you, Susan!

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  42. What a beautiful post. Happy New Year, Susan!

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  43. I would love to win this to teach both me and my son to knit. I am trying but still have much to learn but using YouTube to learn but missing many things while learning. I would try the ribbed hat because I am very interested in donating hats to the needy. gc0461@msn.com

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