I’ve turned into my mother.
No. Seriously. I have.
She is never without her knitting. Except when she’s at church, because God convicted her about knitting in church. Not because she wasn’t paying attention — it actually helps her to pay better attention — but because she was worried about being a distraction for others.
So, she’s only without her knitting at church…and at Curves, because it’s hard to knit and exercise.
So, only at church and at Curves is she without her knitting. But that’s it. Everywhere else…knitting.
I’m not that bad. My knitting is confined to the home, probably because my hands are busy keeping my four children from dying when we’re out in public.
Originally, my idea of knitting was baby blankets. It’s easy to knit a big square. Squares get boring after a while. So I gave up knitting.
Ashleigh inspired me to take it up again with her cute giraffe. I made a monkey for Ezra and an elephant for Cora. Eli’s lion is not doing so well; I have a problem with finishing. I like beginning a new project. As I see it take shape I get really excited. It’s just those last few steps that bring it all together that annoy me.
His lion is in pieces, waiting for me to re-member it {is that the opposite of dismember?}
Tonight I finished a tunic for Cora, inspired by Stephanie.
I. Love. It!!
I was able to get rid of a bunch of scrap yarn, and I added some cute little flowers — to make up for it not being pink. Cora really likes pink.
::
By now you’re probably wondering how much more I’m going to talk about knitting. I’m done.
Now I’m going to talk about finishing.
Our family is at the close of one season, and the cusp of another. I want to leave everything unfinished; move on to the next project. It takes time to bind off the edges, weave in the ends and piece it all together {oops, sorry, a little more knitting}.
If everything isn’t taken care of with attention and care, it will all unravel.
Then you’re just left with a pile of yarn, and all your previous hard work is for naught.
But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may also be the completion of it by your ability. {2 Corinthians 8:11}
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This may sound funny, but I took a knitting class in High School. I actually did well. Never picked it up after that. A shame. I would love to knit myself some undies.
As for Mom? I’m nothing like her. I think… I hope. :/
I’m so filing this away to use in a funny tweet later. 🙂
Bwahahaha! That sounds itchy and hot.
What made you take the knitting class? I think that’s cool, but not a typical high school boy choice.
I have seen patterns in my mom’s knitting catalogs for “sexy” (and I use that term very loosely) pajamas/undies. The. most. ridiculous. thing.
i do not have a real problem finishing stuff, it is the starting. Once I start we are good to go.
Im like my mom in so many ways. Afraid of confrontation but getting more bold the older I get. love card games. And I even look like her a bit. I just hope I can continue to age as well as her
Maybe we need to work together on a project, Lynnette. Sounds like we’d be a good balance. haha!
What’s your favorite card game? I love speed, rummy and, of course, solitaire.
I am like my mother in that we both get along with pretty much anybody. 🙂
That’s a great trait, Dustin. I wish I had more of that one. Haha!
Yes. When things get tough and a little complicated I would rather just duck and run…seems easier.
It does seem easier! I’ve discovered that it usually just leads to more problems in the future though. 🙂
That’s really pretty! I’ve never tried knitting so I’m very jealous of your talent. 🙂
My mom has done it since I was little, and my grandma knits, crochets, cross-stitches and sews. I did a little when I was younger, but really got back into it a few years ago. I’m left-handed, so that complicates things a little bit, but it’s such a great stress reliever for me. 🙂 I pretty much taught myself using YouTube videos, because my mom lives in another state and it’s hard for her to teach me over the phone. When she’s in town she definitely gives me tips and pointers though. Also, if you want to learn, try a local yarn shop or craft store. They frequently have groups for beginners.
Yay for knitting! I’m actually STILL working on a baby gift for Ashleigh. Obviously, I’ve fallen way behind!
Haha! My mom has been working on a baby blanket for Silas since before he was born. I’m thinking it might be a first birthday present now, if that. It is hard to find the time, and if they project turns out to be monotonous I totally have no motivation to continue…which is why the lion is in pieces still. Haha!
A single tear runs down my cheek. I am so proud!
Mission accomplished! 🙂
Yay Melissa! You got her to comment! Hi mom!
weird, I love starting stuff too! I LOVE the idea of what it COULD be. Then I get into it and realize it can’t be as fantabulous as I want it to be – in my ideal world – so I stop, or it takes me a year to finish. Maybe we should start AND finish something together for good practice while I’m a “temp stay at home mom” with you in June! 🙂
btw It came out BEAUTIFUL!
Of course you do…because we’re so alike! 🙂 I am so very very very excited for our month of staying home together. I will make you guys dinner every night!! 🙂
BTW, did you recognize the yarn? That teal is the one you bought me at the yard sale years ago! 🙂
Nope Did not recognize it! Awesome!
That’s a great promise! I’m sure we will have many meals together, or many more since we already have so many and I love it!
I very rarely knit at Curves anymore. They really found it creepy as I stood outside, staring through the glass, wielding my knitting needles. I just don’t get it though. 🙂
Seriously, good post, Melissa. I want to finish strong! How am I like my mom? She’s a helper and wants people to have what they need and to achieve their best. I definitely picked up some of that from her.
Hahahaha! I can’t stop laughing at this! I can just picture you standing outside, peering in the window, and freaking out all the ladies. Heehee!
I have a problem with STARTING! I get an idea, a vision, a dream and it stays just that-floating around in my brain. It’s because I’m too scared to screw it up and FAIL. So, I just don’t ever start anything. It’s the surest way to NOT fail, and also be really boring at the same time. hehehe
My Mom really taught me how to see things from another person’s perspective, to not only think of myself and my needs. So, I guess we’re alike in that way-although I’m not always perfect at it!
Well, I think you have done a fantastic job of starting your blog, being intentional in your writing and creating a community. So, there’s something you have not failed at. 🙂
This is so cute! I wish I could knit
I pretty much taught myself from YouTube. My mom is right handed and I’m left handed, so it’s hard for her to teach me. Also, if you want to learn, check out your local yarn store or craft supply store. They frequently have classes for beginners. 🙂
I seem to always have a few unfinished projects floating around the house. Every once in a while I get a burst of energy and finish one off. It’s so satisfying that I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner. But even that doesn’t seem to make it any easier to tackle the next one. I like the unraveling analogy – so true!
OK Melissa, this is starting to get freaky – are we twins separated at birth or something? I’m a lefty, too (though my mum did somehow manage to teach me basic knitting skills, youtube not being around when I was at that tender age!), and yes, I have a really hard time finishing projects. It’s a family trait (that’s my excuse!), Dad still hasn’t quite finished the central heating that he installed umm.. about 25 years ago!
I LOVE this tunic, well done! so adorable!
How am I like my mum? In more and more ways every day – we look the same, laugh the same, we’re both creative (though she doesn’t think she is), enjoy similar books, movies and TV programmes and generally are really good friends. I wish I was more like her in her quiet wisdom, her hard work and her generosity, and I’m starting to practice the hospitality that she’s always been good at – though I’ve never yet managed to produce a meal like hers where everyone leaves the table groaning that they can’t eat another bite!
I love my mum!!
Jennie
You are like an iPastor. Everything you write ministers to me! Thank you for following Him and sharing with us:)
Thank you for saying that Jessica! My heart here is to share truth about God in the hopes that others benefit from it. 🙂
You are amazing! Truly! Wish I could knit…heck I wish I could sew. The color scheme is so pretty.
I want one of these for Jorja! Oh, and in response to your questions, I never finish anything, and I gave up trying not to be Mom years ago. It is my fate.